Seattle Sounders head teach Brian Schmetzer had tempered expectations after the group’s GM and president of football Garth Lagerwey said he believes the 2022 Sounders are “going to be one of the first-class groups we've had right here.”
The instruct slowed down these bold predictions, protective his players from the added stress of securing Major League Soccer glory.
“So allow's talk approximately that for a touch bit, expectations,” stated Schmetzer in a Tuesday call with reporters earlier than the group flew south to Palm Springs, California, for the final preseason camp before their Concacaf Champions League Round of sixteen first-leg matchup with CF Motagua subsequent week.
“I mean, 2019 we had a terrific crew, 2018 we set facts at the give up of the yr,” he cited. “This past season, we set a record of 13 video games unbeaten. We've had a extraordinary group. I would now not say that this group is going to be the fine all-time. We haven't even stepped on the sector yet.
“You can't pile on an excessive amount of,” added Schmetzer. “Players already are pro athletes, so there's that pressure, there's always 40,000 humans within the constructing.
“We're a big club. It's one of the motives why Albert wanted to return play for us. We're a massive club, there's delivered stress there. Look, it’s a World Cup 12 months, there's a lot of fellows that are vying for spots on their respective countrywide teams … it's my task on occasion to sluggish it down a little bit.”
The group returns to action on February 17 against CF Motagua. While the Sounders concluded their MLS Cup run earlier than predicted with a wonder loss versus Real Salt Lake, Schmetzer admitted that the Concacaf Champions League is the match in recognition for 2022.
“There is the Champions League loss, that I take very personally, in 2020,” said Schmetzer. “There are high expectations for this membership. [Lagerwey] has made it one among his flags in the floor: He wants to win a Champions League competition. We simply do, coaches, staff, gamers – I suppose that might be top for MLS, it'd be a terrific marker …
“Champions League is a competition we want to do thoroughly in. And so having an amazing crew – due to the fact I trust Garth, we do have an excellent group, a very good crew on paper, that offers us the high-quality chance of doing nicely in the Champions League, doing nicely in the league and finishing the year on a excessive be aware in any other MLS Cup very last.”
Schmetzer did praise his facet before ending the press conference, hailing the newcomer Albert Rusnak and leaders like Cristian Roldan and Raul Ruidiaz.
