LOS ANGELES (Monday, Sept. 10, 2018) – LA Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid announced today that he has stepped down from coaching the LA Galaxy, effective immediately. Schmid steps away from coaching as one of the most decorated coaches in Major League Soccer history, with 266 total wins, two MLS Cups, five U.S. Open Cups, and three Supporters’ Shield trophies. Dominic Kinnear has been named LA Galaxy Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the 2018 Major League Soccer season. Throughout his career as a head coach in MLS, Kinnear has won two MLS Cups and recorded 166 wins, the third most in the league’s history.
“I have coached at various levels of soccer in the United States for over 35 years, where I have dedicated myself to furthering the sport in our country,” said Sigi Schmid. “After careful consideration, I have decided to step away from coaching at this time, but would like to remain in the game. With six games remaining as the club fights for a playoff spot, I understand the timing of this decision is unfortunate. However, I believe this group can come together and fight for a spot this season under Dom’s guidance. I am grateful to the LA Galaxy for being such a significant part of my life and my career. I want to thank Mr. Anschutz, the fans, my players and the club for their support during my time here.”
Schmid is the winningest coach in MLS history with 266 wins across MLS regular and post-season play. Over the course of his career, he has guided teams to two MLS Cups (2002, 2008), a record five U.S. Open Cups (2001, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014) and three MLS Supporters’ Shields (2002, 2008, 2014) and coached one of just two MLS teams ever to win a CONCACAF Champions’ Cup (2000). Additionally, he reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in 13 seasons, while recording 26 MLS Cup Playoff wins, the second most in MLS history. Schmid is one of two coaches in MLS history to guide two different teams to MLS Cup titles and he is one of three to coach in four total MLS Cup Finals. He is a member of the U.S. Soccer National Hall of Fame and a UCLA Hall of Fame inductee.
“We want to thank Sigi for everything he’s done for the LA Galaxy and for soccer in Southern California,” said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein. “He has played such an integral part of the success of the LA Galaxy since 1996, including helping bring this club the first of five MLS Cup trophies. We respect Sigi’s decision and we will continue to focus on our push for playoffs as we move forward. Dom is one of the finest coaches in the history of this league, and we trust him to lead this group for the remainder of the season. His keen understanding of our team and MLS will serve us well for the last six games of the season. The club will conduct its search for the next LA Galaxy head coach immediately.”
Throughout his professional coaching career, which began in 1999 as the LA Galaxy Head Coach, Schmid has spent time with the Galaxy (1999-2004; 2017-2018), Columbus Crew SC (2006-2008) and Seattle Sounders FC (2009-2016). During his time in MLS, Schmid has compiled a 240-183-125 record during the MLS regular season.
“I want to thank Sigi and the LA Galaxy for bringing me here last season,” said Dominic Kinnear. “Our focus now is to win as many games as possible through the end of the season.”
Schmid’s coaching career began in 1980 when he became head coach of the UCLA Men’s Soccer Program after serving as an assistant in previous years. He remained with UCLA, his alma mater, for nearly 20 years, leading the team to a 322-63-33 record, 16-consecutive playoff appearances and three NCAA championships (1985, 1990, 1997) while becoming one of the most successful soccer college coaches of all time. Following the 1997 season, Schmid was named NCAA Coach of the Year.
His time with UCLA led him to his first professional coaching job when he took over the LA Galaxy in 1999. In his first season with the club, he led the team to a 17-9-0 record and was voted the MLS Coach of the Year. From 1999-2004, Schmid led the LA Galaxy to four major trophies: the 2002 MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield, the 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the 2000 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup. Altogether, his Galaxy teams recorded a 79-53-32 record and reached the MLS Cup final four times, winning three division crowns.
Schmid coached Columbus Crew SC from 2006-2008, leading the team to their first-ever MLS Cup title in 2008, before joining Seattle Sounders FC in 2009. As head coach of Seattle, Schmid led the team to four U.S. Open Cup titles, an MLS Supporters’ Shield and seven straight appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Internationally, he has twice served as the U.S. U-20 National Team head coach, most recently in 2005 at the FIFA World Championships. Schmid also served as an assistant to Bora Milutinovic on the USMNT 1994 FIFA World Cup team in addition to serving as head coach for the 1991 World University Games and 1995 Pan American Games.
Kinnear’s 166 wins in MLS rank only behind Schmid (228 wins) and former USMNT and LA Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena (202). The former U.S. international is one of just four coaches in MLS history to have earned multiple MLS Cups as head coach, and one of just two to win in consecutive seasons. In 2006 and 2007, he led the Houston Dynamo to MLS Cup titles. Additionally, he served as an assistant coach for the San Jose Earthquakes’ MLS Cup victories in 2001 and 2003. He ranks third all-time in MLS Cup Playoff wins with 15 and reached the post-season in nine of his 13 seasons as a head coach.
Before his time as a coach, Kinnear played professional soccer across a 12-year career. His career began playing for the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, San Jose Hawks and Fort Lauderdale Strikers before signing with Necaxa of the Mexican First Division, leading them to the Mexican Cup in 1995. Following that, he signed with the APSL’s Seattle Sounders and was again a part of a championship-winning team. Kinnear was a member of the Colorado Rapids during Major League Soccer’s debut season in 1996, making 14 appearances. He was traded to the San Jose Clash the following season, making 28 appearances and scoring twice. He finished his playing career by spending three seasons with the Tampa Bay Mutiny (1998-2000), serving as team captain in 1999.
Internationally, Kinnear has recorded 54 caps, nine goals and two assists for the U.S. Men’s national team. In 1993, he led the team in scoring with seven goals and one assist. On May 17, 1992, in Denver, Colorado, Kinnear captained the USMNT for their match against his native Scotland.
