Sigi Schmid, Kasey Keller and Jimmy Gabriel have officially become the first three individuals elected to the Eternal Sounders Circle of Legends, with each passing the 75% voting threshold. They will be enshrined during a special induction ceremony prior to the July 16 match against the Portland Timbers.
“The Eternal Sounders Circle of Legends represents the very best of our club across generations,” Sounders majority owner Adrian Hanauer said in a team release. “Kasey, Sigi and Jimmy each shaped the identity of this organization in distinct and lasting ways. From on-field excellence to championship leadership to growing the game throughout our region, their contributions helped build the foundation that Sounders FC stands on today. It’s fitting that all three will be enshrined together as the first individual inductees.”
The trio joins the Sounders 1974 team — who were collectively honored in 2024 as part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebration — as the first inductees into the Circle of Legends.
The induction process started last year when the Circle of Legends Nomination Committee put the three names on the ballot, which was then voted on by Sounders FC Alliance members and Alliance Council representatives, Sounders alumni, Sounders FC ownership and staff, as well as Seattle soccer media. Voters could choose to vote for for as few as zero or as many as all three; to gain induction the nominee had to appear on at least 75% of ballots. Voting took place from Oct. 4–12, 2025.
Keller is inducted as a player after featuring for the Sounders from 2009–11. He remains the only Sounder to win MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and helped lead to the team to three consecutive U.S. Open Cup trophies.
Schmid is inducted as a coach after serving as the club’s inaugural head coach from 2009–16. During his tenure, he led the Sounders to four U.S. Open Cups and a Supporters’ Shield.
Gabriel gets in as a builder, having played for 1974 team, serving as a player-coach from 1977–79 and then serving in a variety of roles in the greater soccer community for several more decades.
