Some define legends as humans who’ve accomplished superhuman feats. Others think of legends as stories. Of course, both are true.
On Nov. 18, Washington State Legends of Soccer will produce the intersection of legends taking the stage to tell the stories behind five decades of Sounders. It’s billed as Eras of Legends, presented by Caffe D’arte.
Brian Schmetzer, the homegrown player from Seattle’s Lake City who would become the club’s four-time championship coach, is serving as host. The gaffer will be calling on a dozen or so former players and coaches to tell tales from both the deep and not-so-distant past. Those confirmed so far include Jason Farrell, David Gillett, Taylor Graham, Jimmy McAlister, Leighton O’Brien, Zach Scott, Jeff Stock and Wade Webber.
Proceeds from the evening of food, drink and storytelling at the Sounders’ clubhouse will benefit the Jimmy Gabriel Memorial Scholarship and the ongoing initiatives of WA Legends, a nonprofit, including its innovative online museum. For tickets to the Eras of Legends at the Sounders’ Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse, go to wasoccerlegends.com.
A Great Story
“I want people to walk away from this event,” said Schmetzer, now in the midst of another MLS Cup Playoffs run, “and say, ‘Man, the Sounders story is really cool.’ It’s a lot of history, it’s interesting and involves a lot of local people that we know. It’s just a great story.”
Schmetzer has been a part of past WA Legends events as an audience member. “They bring people together,” he noted. “In Alan (Hinton) and Cliffy’s (Cliff McCrath) events, it was honoring a couple people who have done a helluva lot. But the real joy was everyone talking and visiting prior to and after the program. Basically, it’s a reunion to help a good cause.”
This time around, the focus is on the team. In 1974, the advent of the Sounders set in motion tremendous growth in all levels of the game. More players. More fans. Better players. Still more fans. And more and more trophies.
In each of the five decades the Sounders have either played in or won championship finals in the NASL, A-League/USL or MLS. Most everyone knows that. But it’s what happened behind the scenes that promises to be shared onstage at the event.
There just might be a grainy, home movie of Schmetzer and his preteen neighborhood friends being visited at home by a few Sounders players in ’74. There could be further elaboration on the Sounders’ late-night departure from Columbus in 2009, when a certain Swedish star asked for the bus to stop en route to the airport to satisfy a Big Mac Attack. Or it could be the recollection of simpler moments.
A Memory of The Deuce
Schmetzer concedes the players’ interactions with fans nowadays involve fewer backyard barbecues, yet they happen, nonetheless. Instead, it might occur at an airport departure gate. He recalled those pre-pandemic days when the team flew commercial, and Clint Dempsey was the great American soccer hero.
“Clint Dempsey was a big, big, big star,” said Schmetzer. “Clint would be in the back corner, in his hoodie trying not to be noticed. But people would see the team and look for him and find him. They’d ask for an autograph or a photo. He would always say yes; he’d smile and give the two fingers sign for The Deuce.
“That was hard for him, but he did it, and a lot of people were thrilled about getting a photo with Clint Dempsey. It was pretty special; it was a big moment for a lot of kids.”
Schmetzer sees the Eras of Legends event as a celebration which, in turn, creates still another story, a legend to be told around town in the coming decades.
One more attraction for the Eras of Legends event: Georgetown Brewing will be pouring a new, special beer. Some Schmetzer-styled suds, if you will.
Drink to Schmetzer
Georgetown’s Mat Connolly said there’s a natural appeal to him, a longtime player and coach, to brew this special, yet-to-be-named, limited edition batch. A few years ago, Georgetown teamed with Will Bruin for an IPA to benefit the Kick Childhood Cancer Guild.
“(Seattle’s) soccer fanbase is a savvy craft beer crowd,” confirmed Connolly. “To do something that has a Sounders tie, and when we can give something back to the community and the third part is the charity aspect…that’s something we try to do. We’re making beer that people love to drink, but this gives us an opportunity to give back.”
Once the Schmetzer-inspired beer is released in Georgetown’s taproom, patrons can lift a pint there. A limited number of kegs will also be available in pubs and restaurants around Seattle.
