Prior to Tuesday’s practice, the Seattle Sounders awarded their players, coaches, trainers, front office and back office staff championship rings. A team spokesperson confirmed that Sigi Schmid will have a ring as well.
Players did not wear their rings while practicing, with Brad Evans being the only exception. Most of the non-soccer staff stayed to watch portions of practice after their private ceremony in a different portion of Starfire.
Zach Scott was not present for the ceremony. His ring, with his name engraved, was provided as an example of the rings the organization earned with their December 10, 2016 win.
Brian Schmetzer told the media after the practice the ceremony was a final time to reflect on last year. “They tried to turn the page, actually. Everything that we've done up until this moment has been great. We've won a championship and we've had appearances and we've had some good press about Sounders finally winning a championship and all of that is great.”
But now the team needs to focus on the challenges ahead of them for 2017. Eight of the twenty-five roster players did not get a ring. They were not on the First Team when it won the title. Those players were present for the ceremony for the rest of their teammates and coaches.
“They got rewarded today with the actual presentation with the rings which was great because it was in front of all the office staff as well,” Schmetzer said. “It was one organizational moment, that was pretty special. Now what we said after that is enjoy your ring, and we're gonna go back to work because we've got a big match on Saturday.”
The rings are 10-carat white gold with eight primary diamonds. There are 30 smaller diamonds. There is also a gold star above the blue and green enamel Sounders logo surrounded by the diamonds.
The side with the player name has a Seattle skyline with Mount Rainier behind it. The opposite side has the Philip F Anschutz Trophy (MLS Cup) and the year 2016 on its base.
Inside the band are the logos for the Sounders and Toronto FC, the date of MLS Cup (12.10.2016), the score (0-0) and the penalty shootout result (5-4).