July 15, 2026 • 9 mins
Seattle Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer joins Dick Fain and Jackson Felts to talk about the World Cup action including Spain’s win over France yesterday, the epic comeback by Argentina against England today, plus his soccer team resuming the MLS season against the Portland Timbers tomorrow at home, and all his team’s big injuries.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Duke of Duke Seafood and this hour is
brought to you by Duke Seafood. Why don't you make
it at Duke's Night tonight. Reserve your table today at
Dukeseafood dot com. Now back to Safti and Dick on
Sports Radio ninety three point three kJ r f M.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Time to Revva music. Back up right, Jackson, it's Sounder
season again tomorrow night, Dick, tomorrow, about that against the
Portland bastards who find themselves mired in second to last place. Yeah,
how do you feel like that?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
They get a new coach, bump and they're a good team. Okay,
Sounders have some injuries.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I'm concerned, Dick. All right, Well let's find out how
concerned the coach is. I hope he's not as concerned
as you are. Brian Spitzer joins us, how are you, coach, Dick?
Speaker 4 (00:44):
I love the adjective you used for our opponents. Yes,
and Jackson take a deep breaths. I think we're gonna
be fine.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I love I like it. I love you know who's
not gonna be fine? Brian? That would be uh, the
head coach of jolly old England. He's not gonna be fine.
Oh my god, guess he is not. Give us your
thoughts of what you saw today with Argentina coming from
one mill back and all the criticism toucl is that
(01:17):
his name Jackson, that is that is getting for h
be a little conservative in the in the second half.
Your thoughts on today's game.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Well, obviously it was an outstanding game. And again, look,
I mean we're gonna pick apart what happened to England.
You could flip that around and say, you know what,
Argentina has done this before in this World Cup. They
have come back from what is seemingly like an insurmountable
(01:52):
lead or a predicament or whatever they put themselves in,
and they found a way to win. Now, did too
go park the bus too early? Maybe? Did he have
the quality players Bellingham, Caine, some of the guys on
the bench that he could have used to keep Argentina
(02:14):
under pressure? Sure, for sure, But man, what an exciting game,
What an exciting World Cup? You know, maybe France possibly
an upset, Maybe England possibly an upset, but look, two
deserved finalists in Spain and Argentina. They deserve to be there.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, Sunday we'll have a pregame at eleven thirty, kickoff
at noon for the final. Argentina Spain. Brian Spain, yesterday
that game against France, the vaulted France attack and all
those great players that they have. From your coaching perspective,
what do you see Spain do so well against that
lethal attack?
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Well, Spain just did what they do normally. I mean,
a great possession team. They work as a complete team.
I mean, you know, do they have the big names
in Bope you know MESSI no, they don't, but they
certainly know how to play as a unit, as a
(03:16):
complete team. They're coach of Spanish coach has done a
fantastic job.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
I'm looking at the odds here. Brian Spain is a
minus one seventy favorite, Argentina plus one fifty. It should
Spain be a significant favorite in this lee. Do you
see it more as a toss up?
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Well, the biggest question that I have is look to me,
it's you can't count Argentina out. Based on their last
couple of performances. Spain certainly might be the perceived favorite.
The thing that worries me the most is that extra
day's rest. Jackson, I'm sure you've read this, Dick. I'm
(03:55):
sure you read this. You know, the team that has
that extra day rest in the World Cup Final has
come out ahead the majority of the time, and so
that to me is an interesting storyline. Fain, you know
the travel they've traveled a lot. You know, Argentina based
in Kansas City, their travel was more central. But I
(04:16):
mean that extra day rest could be a storyline.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Brian, looking back at the World Cup, I know you
got to be out there at the Seattle Stadium womenfield
a bunch for all the games and all the atmospheres.
Just what were your some of your your favorite moments
and favorite days over the last month and a half
that that our city really showed off its amazing colors
to the entire world.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
You know, I asked Christian ruled in because he was
back in training today, I asked him the exact same
question and he said that the Star Spangled banner during
that Australia match was his kind of moment that he
really remembers. I would agree with that. I think that
Australia match USA, the win, I think certainly is one
(05:05):
of the highlights. I loved the waterfront as well. I
thought the waterfront was just jam packed with soccer fans,
with people from all different parts of the world. You know,
Seattle being a welcoming city, a great city to you know,
show off, sunny summer afternoons and you know stuff like that.
(05:25):
So a lot of positive memories from the World Cup.
I think it was a massive success for the city
of Seattle and for the country.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
When do you think we see it here again? I
was thirty two years between the last two and furthermore,
do you see Seattle as a city that did enough
to be seen as a legitimate potential host for a
final when it comes back to the United States?
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Well, good question. Both of them are good questions. So look,
the Women's World Cup. I hear there's you know, thirty one.
I think twenty thirty one. I think there's another World
Cup on the men's side. Could we ever host a final? Dick,
I don't know, because look, I know what they're doing
the East coast, New York. You know, that's a shorter
(06:12):
time difference, So the Europeans can you know, kick off
is at noon, which is going to be hot, but
that's eight or nine o'clock in Europe, so the Europeans
can tune in on a primetime viewing, so West Coast
be a little bit more challenging, but certainly a semi final,
a quarterfinal for sure, we're going to get that again.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Brian.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
We're in this streak of great weather, but it looks
like tomorrow we're gonna get a little Seattle sunshine for
Portland timbers. I mean, gosh, I imagine as a coach,
you know, and you know I already know you don't
have to motivate players for a Portland game, but you know,
to have a little bit of rain in the forecast
to have Portland Seattle for the restart of the MLS season.
(06:56):
The stakes tomorrow night for and we'll have the game
here at seven thirty. You're on KJR. The stakes for tomorrow,
and the atmosphere tomorrow should be pretty dang good there
out at Lumen.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Yeah, Jackson, it's like we were talking earlier today when
you were down at training. Look, the guys are tired
of us coaches. They want to get to games. The
grass is perfect, I mean, the grass is just absolutely perfect.
The rivalry the first game back, Yeah, I'm not going
to have to say too much to my guys to
(07:29):
get am motivated for this game tomorrow night. Would I
like a little bit of rain for sure, but again
the grass, the field is perfect.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Well. Brian, before we let you go, you alluded to
a Christian role Don being banged up last week when
we talked to you. Give us an update on him
and the rest of your injuries going into tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Yeah, it's still not looking good, Dick. I mean, Christian
is still going to be out for a bit. You know.
Pedro was back out on the grass again today and
in a semi full training, so there's a little bit
of good news. I think Imar is getting closer Kim kihee.
But you know, for this first stretch of games, I
don't I don't think Christian's gonna make this first game.
(08:10):
We might take him on the trip to Austin and
Philly just to get him integrated back with his teammates,
but even that, it might be a stretch for him playing.
But we'll we'll keep you updated.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Appreciate it. Brian beslut go beat the Portland Bastards for us, all.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Right, Thanks coach, all right, Dick, thanks you bet.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Brian Spetzer joining us all right when we come back.
Final segment of the show, because we're going at six
o'clock to our World Championship Soccer recap show. I got
it right that time, Jackson. If you have not yet
filled out your Major Golf Challenge, or even if you
have at ninety three three KJR dot com, you can
always go back and change your picks. So if you
filled it out, maybe pull it up on the website
(08:51):
right now. If you haven't filled it out, pull it
up on the website right now, and I'm gonna help
you out in the next segment because I'm just an
absolutely nut for picking golfers. So let's do it next
on ninety three point three KJRFM.
This is Duke of Duke Seafood and this hour is
brought to you by Duke Seafood. Why don't you make
it at Duke's Night tonight. Reserve your table today at
Dukeseafood dot com. Now back to Safti and Dick on
Sports Radio ninety three point three kJ r f M.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Time to Revva music. Back up right, Jackson, it's Sounder
season again tomorrow night, Dick, tomorrow, about that against the
Portland bastards who find themselves mired in second to last place. Yeah,
how do you feel like that?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
They get a new coach, bump and they're a good team. Okay,
Sounders have some injuries.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I'm concerned, Dick. All right, Well let's find out how
concerned the coach is. I hope he's not as concerned
as you are. Brian Spitzer joins us, how are you, coach, Dick?
Speaker 4 (00:44):
I love the adjective you used for our opponents. Yes,
and Jackson take a deep breaths. I think we're gonna
be fine.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I love I like it. I love you know who's
not gonna be fine? Brian? That would be uh, the
head coach of jolly old England. He's not gonna be fine.
Oh my god, guess he is not. Give us your
thoughts of what you saw today with Argentina coming from
one mill back and all the criticism toucl is that
(01:17):
his name Jackson, that is that is getting for h
be a little conservative in the in the second half.
Your thoughts on today's game.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Well, obviously it was an outstanding game. And again, look,
I mean we're gonna pick apart what happened to England.
You could flip that around and say, you know what,
Argentina has done this before in this World Cup. They
have come back from what is seemingly like an insurmountable
(01:52):
lead or a predicament or whatever they put themselves in,
and they found a way to win. Now, did too
go park the bus too early? Maybe? Did he have
the quality players Bellingham, Caine, some of the guys on
the bench that he could have used to keep Argentina
(02:14):
under pressure? Sure, for sure, But man, what an exciting game,
What an exciting World Cup? You know, maybe France possibly
an upset, Maybe England possibly an upset, but look, two
deserved finalists in Spain and Argentina. They deserve to be there.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, Sunday we'll have a pregame at eleven thirty, kickoff
at noon for the final. Argentina Spain. Brian Spain, yesterday
that game against France, the vaulted France attack and all
those great players that they have. From your coaching perspective,
what do you see Spain do so well against that
lethal attack?
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Well, Spain just did what they do normally. I mean,
a great possession team. They work as a complete team.
I mean, you know, do they have the big names
in Bope you know MESSI no, they don't, but they
certainly know how to play as a unit, as a
(03:16):
complete team. They're coach of Spanish coach has done a
fantastic job.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
I'm looking at the odds here. Brian Spain is a
minus one seventy favorite, Argentina plus one fifty. It should
Spain be a significant favorite in this lee. Do you
see it more as a toss up?
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Well, the biggest question that I have is look to me,
it's you can't count Argentina out. Based on their last
couple of performances. Spain certainly might be the perceived favorite.
The thing that worries me the most is that extra
day's rest. Jackson, I'm sure you've read this, Dick. I'm
(03:55):
sure you read this. You know, the team that has
that extra day rest in the World Cup Final has
come out ahead the majority of the time, and so
that to me is an interesting storyline. Fain, you know
the travel they've traveled a lot. You know, Argentina based
in Kansas City, their travel was more central. But I
(04:16):
mean that extra day rest could be a storyline.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Brian, looking back at the World Cup, I know you
got to be out there at the Seattle Stadium womenfield
a bunch for all the games and all the atmospheres.
Just what were your some of your your favorite moments
and favorite days over the last month and a half
that that our city really showed off its amazing colors
to the entire world.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
You know, I asked Christian ruled in because he was
back in training today, I asked him the exact same
question and he said that the Star Spangled banner during
that Australia match was his kind of moment that he
really remembers. I would agree with that. I think that
Australia match USA, the win, I think certainly is one
(05:05):
of the highlights. I loved the waterfront as well. I
thought the waterfront was just jam packed with soccer fans,
with people from all different parts of the world. You know,
Seattle being a welcoming city, a great city to you know,
show off, sunny summer afternoons and you know stuff like that.
(05:25):
So a lot of positive memories from the World Cup.
I think it was a massive success for the city
of Seattle and for the country.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
When do you think we see it here again? I
was thirty two years between the last two and furthermore,
do you see Seattle as a city that did enough
to be seen as a legitimate potential host for a
final when it comes back to the United States?
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Well, good question. Both of them are good questions. So look,
the Women's World Cup. I hear there's you know, thirty one.
I think twenty thirty one. I think there's another World
Cup on the men's side. Could we ever host a final? Dick,
I don't know, because look, I know what they're doing
the East coast, New York. You know, that's a shorter
(06:12):
time difference, So the Europeans can you know, kick off
is at noon, which is going to be hot, but
that's eight or nine o'clock in Europe, so the Europeans
can tune in on a primetime viewing, so West Coast
be a little bit more challenging, but certainly a semi final,
a quarterfinal for sure, we're going to get that again.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Brian.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
We're in this streak of great weather, but it looks
like tomorrow we're gonna get a little Seattle sunshine for
Portland timbers. I mean, gosh, I imagine as a coach,
you know, and you know I already know you don't
have to motivate players for a Portland game, but you know,
to have a little bit of rain in the forecast
to have Portland Seattle for the restart of the MLS season.
(06:56):
The stakes tomorrow night for and we'll have the game
here at seven thirty. You're on KJR. The stakes for tomorrow,
and the atmosphere tomorrow should be pretty dang good there
out at Lumen.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Yeah, Jackson, it's like we were talking earlier today when
you were down at training. Look, the guys are tired
of us coaches. They want to get to games. The
grass is perfect, I mean, the grass is just absolutely perfect.
The rivalry the first game back, Yeah, I'm not going
to have to say too much to my guys to
(07:29):
get am motivated for this game tomorrow night. Would I
like a little bit of rain for sure, but again
the grass, the field is perfect.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Well. Brian, before we let you go, you alluded to
a Christian role Don being banged up last week when
we talked to you. Give us an update on him
and the rest of your injuries going into tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Yeah, it's still not looking good, Dick. I mean, Christian
is still going to be out for a bit. You know.
Pedro was back out on the grass again today and
in a semi full training, so there's a little bit
of good news. I think Imar is getting closer Kim kihee.
But you know, for this first stretch of games, I
don't I don't think Christian's gonna make this first game.
(08:10):
We might take him on the trip to Austin and
Philly just to get him integrated back with his teammates,
but even that, it might be a stretch for him playing.
But we'll we'll keep you updated.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Appreciate it. Brian beslut go beat the Portland Bastards for us, all.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Right, Thanks coach, all right, Dick, thanks you bet.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Brian Spetzer joining us all right when we come back.
Final segment of the show, because we're going at six
o'clock to our World Championship Soccer recap show. I got
it right that time, Jackson. If you have not yet
filled out your Major Golf Challenge, or even if you
have at ninety three three KJR dot com, you can
always go back and change your picks. So if you
filled it out, maybe pull it up on the website
(08:51):
right now. If you haven't filled it out, pull it
up on the website right now, and I'm gonna help
you out in the next segment because I'm just an
absolutely nut for picking golfers. So let's do it next
on ninety three point three KJRFM.
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