GOAL sat down with Schmetzer to talk Club World Cup, a potential MLS schedule shift, and Seattle's expectations
MIAMI – Brian Schmetzer sees the potential in the Club World Cup. The tournament has been met with a mixed reaction worldwide. Some see it as a platform for the growth of the game in America. Others see it as an unnecessary strain on already stretched sinews. The reality might end up being somewhere in the middle. But for Seattle, one of two MLS clubs competing, it's a massive opportunity according to the Sounders' manager.
"If we can pull out a result against any one of those three teams. That makes a statement that MLS is not so far behind some of the other teams in the world," Schmetzer told GOAL at MLS's Media Day.
And he might just be right. Seattle is in a group with PSG, Botafago, and Atletico Madrid. Getting anything from fixtures against the Ligue 1 champions, Copa Libertadores holders, and surprise La Liga contenders would be immense.
But that's not the only relevant tournament in the scope of American soccer. The conversation around the sport has broadened in recent weeks. There is talk of a switch to a fall-spring calendar that mimics the European setup. And Leagues Cup, once a point of controversy, has been revamped.
"I think the league will try and figure [a new schedule] out. I think they'll make it work – if it happens. Because I don't know if that's 100 percent yet, but you know, we'll deal with it," Schmetzer said.
But outside of that, there's soccer to worry about. Seattle has been active in the market, bringing in Jesus Ferreira from FC Dallas. The forward, who has 15 goals in 23 USMNT appearances, might just give a club that was less than 10 minutes away from hosting MLS Cup a real cutting edge. Paul Arriola will also undoubtedly offer a boost out wide.
Ahead of the MLS season, Schmetzer joined GOAL Convo, a weekly Q&A with central figures in the American soccer scene, to discuss his expectations for the 2025 MLS season, the Club World Cup and what star additions will mean for Seattle.
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GOAL: I wanted to start with this talk of a schedule change, about maybe a fall-spring calendar. What's your opinion on that? Would you like to see it?
SCHMETZER: Well, look, those decisions are made way above my pay grade, but I can see it happening. MLS has done a great job. And, you know, the country is so big, weather in different cities, and there's going to be challenges. But there were challenges playing in the windows that we do now, so I think the league will try and figure it out. I think they'll make it work – if it happens. Because I don't know if that's 100 percent yet, but you know, we'll deal with it.
GOAL: And what do you think the biggest strength of MLS is right now?
SCHMETZER: Growth. I mean, our league has had unbelievable growth, even since 2009 when the Sounders came in, it's grown exponentially. So, you know, we are definitely with all of that growth, with the Club World Cup in Seattle, and then the World Cup in Seattle. It's big.
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GOAL: On the Club World Cup, that's significant for you guys, right? What are you looking forward to about it? And maybe, what are your expectations as well?
SCHMETZER: Look, expectations have to be in line. I mean, those are great teams. We want to be competitive. If we could get a result, that would be unbelievable. You know, starting with Botafogo, Joao Paulo, one of our players, used to play there, so there's a good connection there. Young Obed Vargas, let's just say he has a good game against Atletico Madrid. Let's just see, and does that make his market value go higher?
We have a young man named Georgi Minoungou, a French African player, playing him against PSG, one of his teams that he looked up to growing up, and having that young man have a good performance in that match. Let's see where that takes the player and our club. Let's just see, but it's going to be exciting.
GOAL: For American teams, do you think it's more about the experience of playing teams that would maybe be a little bit further above you in the global football pyramid in that sense?
SCHMETZER: I think the league wants us to do well. They want us to be competitive. Obviously, Miami is in there with Messi, you get all of that. But look, again, if we can pull out a result against any one of those three teams, that makes a statement that MLS is not so far behind some of the other teams in the world.
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GOAL: I wanted to ask about the Leagues Cup. There was a bit of controversy around the tournament. How does that need to change?
SCHMETZER: How does it need to change? I liked it. I mean, look, there were some nuances. There were teams that bowed out early in that competition, then they had a month off in the middle of your year. That's certainly an issue. We were fortunate enough to get into the quarterfinals. So our rhythm was OK. Trying to play more of your games against Mexican teams rather than MLS matchups, I think that's one area that I'd probably focus on.
ImagnOn 2025 expectations
GOAL: And then final question, what are the expectations for this season from your point of view?
SCHMETZER: Well, expectations are always high in Seattle. We made it to the conference final, and were eight minutes away from maybe hosting a final while getting into overtime. Credit to Greg [Vanney] and the Galaxy. But how did they it was, it was, you know, it was a good match. Our expectations are always to compete for trophies.