SEATTLE — Saturday was a special occasion for Seattle Sounders assistant coach Gonzalo Pineda.
While head coach Brian Schmetzer is away at a U.S. Soccer coaching course in Nashville, Pineda took over managerial duties for the Sounders’ 1-1 draw with German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in a friendly at CenturyLink Field. Pineda is a storied Mexican international and was playing for Seattle as recently as two years ago.
“It’s very special,” Pineda said of the opportunity. “I played for this club for two years, and it’s an honor to be sitting on the bench also as an assistant to Brian Schmetzer.