Seattle Sounders Part Ways with Sigi Schmid

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Sounders and coach Sigi Schmid are parting ways after eight years.

The team announced Tuesday that Schmid's run as the only coach in the franchise's MLS era has come to an end. Longtime Sounders assistant Brian Schmetzer is immediately taking over as interim head coach.

Schmid joined the Sounders in 2008 after winning an MLS Cup title with the Columbus Crew. He also won an MLS title with the LA Galaxy in 2002.

A two-time MLS Coach of the Year and a National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, Schmid has amassed 228 regular-season victories to rank first in MLS history. Schmid's 26 postseason wins in MLS put him behind only LA's Bruce Arena (30).

He was 115-79-56 with the Sounders and led Seattle to seven consecutive MLS Cup playoff appearances.