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It was mentioned in a recent Seattle Sounders broadcast that Brian Schmetzer had a photo of Portland Timbers coach on his desk, and he was asked after Friday’s training session to clarify the situation.
“I’ll clarify that. Just because, I want to make sure Caleb understands that he’s in good company. I also have Bruce [Arena] from 2014, when we were an away goal away from possibly trouble and Bruce’s in the photo drinking a bottle of champagne looking like he had just won a championship, which they had.”
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As for the photo of Porter that’s also on his desk:
“The photo of Caleb is from after we lost in 2013 when they beat us in the playoffs and there was a low camera and he had turned and had that angry face after he had just scored. Whether it was intentional or not, you’d have to ask him.”
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Schmetzer said that the photos are “personal motivation” for him to remind himself that the Sounders need to win a championship.
“It’s all ingrained within us. We want to win a championship, we’re going to do everything we can to win a championship, so that’s the reason for the photos on my desk. I keep them to serve as added motivation for me to match up against two very, very good coaches.”