Brian Schmetzer wants you to remember soccer, and never forget

Coach reached out to Sounder at Heart about the post “Remember Soccer.” It was originally written during last year’s dire days. A few things have happened since then - he was hired, an MLS Cup was won. Your Seattle Sounders heard your belief and conquered the league.

Brian Schmetzer has an addition to the original story. There are also minor changes due to the circumstances of 2016 and 2017.

I appreciated this article for what it was, a wakeup call for all of us to realize that even though we were playing bad, that life is more than just a stretch of bad games. The belief I got from reading this was part of many stories I heard or read of fans, ECS and others, keeping the faith and remembering what soccer and life is all about. Then we did something special………..because of the belief the players had in themselves, and because fans did not stop believing in their Team. There will patches of bad, there will moments of brilliance, and together share them all with you Dave, and the all the fans who refuse to stop supporting this Team. Thank You……it is time…..we hear your voices…….

These 11, 18, 25, these 28, these 100s in Rave Green, Sounder Blue, Cascade Shale, Heritage White and Pacific Blue with a ball, a couple nets, a few dozen coaches and dreams of trophies from U12 to Club World Cup.

Remember Soccer

The Freddeyain and Church of Fucito, the stunning Golden God that burst on the scene and the greatest expansion team in history.

Remember Soccer

A double in '07, trophies in '05, '02, '96, '95 and '94

Remember Soccer

A young man from Nathan Hale signing in June 1980 and still wearing the kit today.

Remember Soccer

A CCL win in Monterey, a Supporters' Shield and Open Cup trophies.

Remember Soccer

In just 48 seconds

Remember Soccer

Clint Dempsey scoring a hattrick in the Glass House to tie the game 4-4

Remember Soccer

When a young man from O'Dea took the field in the World Cup

Remember Soccer

A Dad Marshall wins the Defender of the Year on one of the worst defenses in the league.

Remember Soccer

And quadruple saves

Remember Soccer

That time that Steve Zakuani accepted Brian Mullan when we could not

Remember Soccer

Remember Soccer

Remember Soccer

Because that is what ties us all together. It's what we are here for, it is what we do. Without this little game, we may be people of the Sound, but we may not be Sounders.

I remember soccer. I remember the joyful noise and warm embrace of flamethrowers. I remember a victory lap, an honor guard and a bar visit from a coach after winning the Shield. That's soccer.

It is beautiful and difficult. It tears you down and then builds you back up. It's soccer. It's what we are here for. It's why we blog, we chant, we sing, we watch. It's soccer.

Let them hear us today. Let them hear us tomorrow. Let them hear us throughout our futures.