Why Brian Schmetzer has photos of Bruce Arena and Caleb Porter on his desk

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.”

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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.”

via Soccerwire.com

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.”