Andy Schmetzer
Encyclopedia
Andy M. Schmetzer
Andy M. Schmetzer (born April 26, 1967 in Seattle, Washington is a former U.S. soccer midfielder
and indoor soccer coach.
. He learned to play soccer under the tutelage of his father Walter who coached him with the Lake City Hawks youth team. Walter, a native of Germany, had played in the German Third Division before immigrating to the United States. Schmetzer, and his twin brother Walt
led Nathan Hall to the 1985 3A Washington State boys soccer championship. Andy was also a member of the Sporthaus FC youth team which won the Washington State championship.
signed with F.C. Seattle
of the Western Soccer Alliance. In 1985, the Cleveland Force
of Major Indoor Soccer League
(MISL) selected Schmetzer in the first round of the MISL draft. He played three seasons with the Force before moving to the Tacoma Stars after the Force folded in 1988. However, in 1989, Cleveland received an expansion MISL franchise, the Cleveland Crunch
. Schmetzer moved back to Cleveland in 1990. In 1992, MISL folded and the Crunch moved to the National Professional Soccer League. Schmetzer and his team mates went on to win three NPSL titles in 1994, 1996 and 1999. He retired from playing professionally in 2001 having spent five seasons as the Crunch’s team captain. In 1997, Schmetzer spent a single season with the Charleston Battery
.
that placed second in the FIFA Futsal World Championship
held in Hong Kong
.
Boys coach in 2003-2004. He also coaches Crossfire Premier team in Redmond, Washington. He coached his girls team to a National title in 2009. That team also won all their summer tournaments placing 2nd in state falling to the other team in penalty kicks.
Andy M. Schmetzer (born April 26, 1967 in Seattle, Washington is a former U.S. soccer midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
and indoor soccer coach.
Youth
Schmetzer grew up in Seattle, Washington where he attended Nathan Hale High SchoolNathan Hale High School
Nathan Hale High School is a public high school in Seattle, Washington. Nathan Hale is part of the Coalition of Essential Schools.-Early years:...
. He learned to play soccer under the tutelage of his father Walter who coached him with the Lake City Hawks youth team. Walter, a native of Germany, had played in the German Third Division before immigrating to the United States. Schmetzer, and his twin brother Walt
Walt Schmetzer
Walter M. Schmetzer is a former U.S. soccer midfielder who played professionally in the Western Soccer Alliance and Major Indoor Soccer League....
led Nathan Hall to the 1985 3A Washington State boys soccer championship. Andy was also a member of the Sporthaus FC youth team which won the Washington State championship.
Professional
After graduating in 1985, both Schmetzers, along with their older brother BrianBrian Schmetzer
Brian Schmetzer is a retired U.S. soccer player who played in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and Western Soccer League. He coached the Seattle Sounders in the USL First Division for seven seasons, winning two championships. He was the 2002 USL-1 Coach of the Year...
signed with F.C. Seattle
Seattle Storm (soccer)
Football Club Seattle Storm, also known as the F.C. Seattle Storm, was an American soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. F.C. Seattle was a "super club" created to provide Seattle players an opportunity to play at a higher level than the local recreational and semi-pro leagues. In addition to...
of the Western Soccer Alliance. In 1985, the Cleveland Force
Cleveland Force (1978 – 1988)
The original Cleveland Force was one of the six charter franchises in the original Major Indoor Soccer League . The team played from 1978 to 1988 at the Richfield Coliseum, the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and occasionally drew crowds in excess of 20,000 in the mid-80's.Akron businessman Eric J...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
(MISL) selected Schmetzer in the first round of the MISL draft. He played three seasons with the Force before moving to the Tacoma Stars after the Force folded in 1988. However, in 1989, Cleveland received an expansion MISL franchise, the Cleveland Crunch
Cleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
. Schmetzer moved back to Cleveland in 1990. In 1992, MISL folded and the Crunch moved to the National Professional Soccer League. Schmetzer and his team mates went on to win three NPSL titles in 1994, 1996 and 1999. He retired from playing professionally in 2001 having spent five seasons as the Crunch’s team captain. In 1997, Schmetzer spent a single season with the Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
.
National team
In 1992, Schmetzer played with the United States national futsal teamUnited States national futsal team
The United States national futsal team is the futsal team that represents that United States at international competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and affiliated with CONCACAF. The U.S. Futsal Federation was founded in 1981 and the first international futsal match...
that placed second in the FIFA Futsal World Championship
FIFA Futsal World Championship
The FIFA Futsal World Cup is the international championship for futsal, an indoor version of association football.The world championship tournament is held every four years, on the even year between two FIFA World Cups. The first event was held in 1989, the year FIFA became the world governing body...
held in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
Coach
Following his retirement from playing in 2001, Schmetzer returned as an assistant coach with the Force. In 2002, he became the team’s head coach until he retired in 2004. Schmetzer continues to coach at the youth level. In 2000, he co-founded the Cleveland Soccer Academy and spent five years coaching the Girls Premier team. He was also a Super Y-LeagueSuper Y-League
The Super Y-League is the highest form of American and Canadian youth soccer. It consists of over 100 teams, many of which are operated by clubs from MLS to PDL.- Age groups :The Super Y-League has these following age groups:*U-12*U-13*U-14*U-15...
Boys coach in 2003-2004. He also coaches Crossfire Premier team in Redmond, Washington. He coached his girls team to a National title in 2009. That team also won all their summer tournaments placing 2nd in state falling to the other team in penalty kicks.