MLS Coach of the Year Award renamed to honor Sigi Schmid

Prior to today’s MLS SuperDraft, league commissioner Don Garber announced that that the MLS Coach of the Year Award was being renamed in honor of late Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid.

Schmid, who passed away last month at age 65, is the all-time winningest coach in MLS history. Garber said in his announcement that the re-naming of the award honors Schmid’s record as a head coach, as well as his overall contribution to soccer in the United States. Schmid won three college national titles, five U.S. Open Cups and two MLS Cups. He won four Open Cups and a Supporters’ Shield during his time with the Sounders.

“Sigi was an important part of our league from the very early years in our history, and he had a significant impact on everyone he touched throughout his life and coaching career,” Garber said in a statement. “While he will be remembered by many in the soccer community for his success on the field, it was his kindness and his great qualities as a father, husband and mentor that made him such as special person.”

Beginning at the end of the upcoming season, the Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year award will be given during the league’s end-of-season festivities.