Sounders announce the return of all assistant coaches for 2021 season

After overcoming a potential exodus of assistant coaches, the Seattle Sounders FC announced the return of all coaches for the upcoming 2021 MLS season. The Sounders consistency in winning has opened doors for players. For the coaching staff it has  always been a  matter of when not if. Since the 2009 season the Sounders have lost top assistant coaches, Ezra Hendrickson (2009-2015) and   Ante Razov .This offseason many believed head coach Brian Schmetzer would lose  top assistant coaches Gonzalo Pineda, Preki in addition to  Chris Little who left his  position as the Tacoma Defiance head coach.

LOYALTY PAYS OFF

Schemtzer has always praised his assistance coaches having been the clubs top assistant before taking over for former head coach Sigi Schmid in 2016. The respect and administration for his assistant coaches has created a bond in which the assistant coaches are in no hurry to leave and just take any job opening offered to them.

“My coaching staff is talented, diverse and brings a wealth of knowledge to the club,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “Their standards align with the club and are forged by their experiences as successful players and coaches in the modern game. They are true professionals, dedicated to improving First Team performance and helping the young players achieve success.”

ALL COACHES RETURNING

Assistant Coaches Gonzalo Pineda, Preki and Djimi Traore, in addition to Club Director of Goalkeeping Tom Dutra and High Performance Director & Technical Advisor Adam Owen are all returning for another season with Schmetzer

“I’m very pleased to retain a coaching staff that has helped this club to a tremendous amount of success,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Our coaches come from all over the world and each bring something very unique to our team. I look forward to their continued efforts as we head into another campaign.”

COACHES BIOS

PINEDA  ENTER FIFTH SEASON

Pineda enters his fifth season as an Assistant Coach for Sounders FC, helping the club to three MLS Cup Final appearances. A longtime Liga MX player and member of Mexico’s 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, Pineda finished his career with Sounders FC from 2014-2015, starting 45 of 56 MLS regular season appearances and helping the club earn the 2014 Supporters’ Shield. He spent one year as a broadcaster for Univisíon in 2016.

“My coaching staff is talented, diverse and brings a wealth of knowledge to the club,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “Their standards align with the club and are forged by their experiences as successful players and coaches in the modern game. They are true professionals, dedicated to improving First Team performance and helping the young players achieve success.”

PREKI BEGINS  FOURTH YEAR WITH  SOUNDERS

Now in his fourth season with the Rave Green, Preki adds to a resume of 38 years in professional soccer, including 24 as a player and seven as a head coach. Creating a prolific career as a player and coach in MLS, Preki won MLS MVP in 1997 and 2003 before earning 2007 MLS Coach of the Year while in charge of Chivas USA. Preki’s connection to the Pacific Northwest goes back to his time with the Tacoma Stars from 1985-1990, where he played alongside Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. 

TRAORE EUROPEAN  EXPERIENCE

Traore was hired as an Assistant Coach prior to the 2016 season for Sounders FC, where he finished his playing career from 2013-2014. Prior to coming to Seattle, Traore enjoyed a successful career in England and France, including 141 appearances for Liverpool, where he notably played all 120 minutes of the Reds’ memorable 2005 UEFA Champions League Final victory over AC Milan. Since joining the coaching staff, Traore has specialized in working with defenders and has helped the club to four MLS Cup appearances and two championships.

BEST GOALKEEPING COACH  MLS

A Sounders FC original, Tom Dutra was hired on December 29, 2008 and has overseen the club’s goalkeeping during its entire existence in Major League Soccer, leading to four MLS All-Star appearances and six finalists for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, including one win. Dutra previously served two seasons as Goalkeeper Coach under Schmetzer for the USL Sounders, and garnered a local and national reputation for his work in developing young keepers as well as training established professionals.

EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

Owen enters his second season with Sounders FC in a dual role of High Performance Director & Technical Advisor, where he now oversees sports science and performance programs for the club across all levels of the organization, while also advising the club on technical matters. Owen has 16 years of experience as a fitness coach, assistant manager and manager, in addition to a decade of playing experience in Wales and Scotland.