Brian Schmetzer’s Family: Wife, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on September 21, 2026 by Wilson

Brian Schmetzer is an American soccer coach and former professional player best known as the longtime head coach of Seattle Sounders FC. Born on August 18, 1962, in Seattle, Washington, Schmetzer has spent most of his life closely connected to soccer in the Pacific Northwest, first as a player and later as one of the most successful coaches in Major League Soccer.

Soccer also runs deeply through the Schmetzer family. Brian’s father, Walter “Walt” Schmetzer Sr., was a German-born player and influential youth coach, while his younger brothers Andy and Walter Jr. both played professionally. His mother, Ursula “Ulla” Schmetzer, helped operate the family’s famous Seattle soccer store, and his sister Jeannette was also involved in the business. Brian is married to Kristine, and Seattle Sounders says the couple have six children and two grandchildren between them.

Who Is Brian Schmetzer’s Wife?

Brian Schmetzer’s wife is Kristine Schmetzer. Seattle Sounders’ official coaching biography identifies Kristine as his wife and states that the couple have six children between them.

Brian generally keeps his marriage away from extensive public attention. Unlike his coaching career, which has been documented in detail over several decades, relatively little authoritative information has been published about how he and Kristine met, when they married or Kristine’s professional background.

What is clear is that Kristine has been part of Brian’s life throughout an important period of his Seattle Sounders coaching career. Brian has occasionally mentioned her when discussing family matters and the difficulty of balancing the demands of professional soccer with life away from the team.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Schmetzer described himself and Kristine as empty-nesters. He explained that the couple had six children between them and that one of the most difficult parts of distancing restrictions was being unable to spend as much time as they wanted with their new grandchildren.

Brian Schmetzer and Kristine’s Family Life

Brian’s role as an MLS head coach involves long seasons, frequent travel and enormous professional pressure, but he has consistently described family as one of his most important priorities.

Long before becoming Seattle Sounders’ MLS head coach, Schmetzer discussed the importance of balancing soccer, his construction business and his children. In an older Sounders interview, he placed his children ahead of his professional responsibilities when explaining the priorities in his life.

That family-centered approach continued as his coaching responsibilities increased. Even after winning MLS Cups and the Concacaf Champions League, Schmetzer has remained closely associated with his Seattle roots and the family network he built in the region.

How Many Children Does Brian Schmetzer Have?

Seattle Sounders currently states that Brian and Kristine have six children between them.

The wording “between them” is important because the club does not publicly provide a complete list of all six children or explain the exact parental relationship for each one.

Older official Seattle Sounders media guides identify three of Brian’s children by name: Daniela, Colin and Kian Schmetzer. Those are therefore the three children who can be confidently connected directly to Brian through authoritative club records.

The identities of the other three children included in Brian and Kristine’s combined family have not been clearly listed in current official Sounders biographies. It would therefore be inappropriate to attach additional names to the family using people-search databases or unverified online profiles.

Daniela Schmetzer

Daniela Schmetzer is one of Brian Schmetzer’s publicly identified children. Her name appeared in Seattle Sounders’ official media guides during Brian’s years as an assistant coach.

Daniela has maintained a considerably more private life than her father. Reliable soccer sources provide little information about her career, education or personal life, so details beyond the confirmed family relationship should not be assumed.

Colin Schmetzer

Colin Schmetzer is another of Brian’s publicly identified children. Like Daniela, Colin was listed in official Sounders media material alongside his siblings.

Although the Schmetzer surname is strongly connected to Seattle soccer, Colin has not developed the same public professional soccer profile as his father or Brian’s brothers. Consequently, authoritative sports reporting provides limited information about his private life.

Kian Schmetzer

Kian Schmetzer is the third child named in older Seattle Sounders biographies of Brian.

Kian has also remained largely outside public sports coverage. The fact that Brian’s children generally maintain private lives reflects a clear distinction between Schmetzer’s highly visible professional role and his family’s life away from the field.

Brian Schmetzer’s Grandchildren

Brian Schmetzer is also a grandfather. Seattle Sounders’ current official biography states that Brian and Kristine have two grandchildren.

Schmetzer first publicly discussed the grandchildren in 2020, explaining that two babies had been born in July and August of the previous year. The pandemic made it difficult for Brian and Kristine to spend as much time with them as they wanted.

His role as a grandfather has since occasionally become visible at Sounders matches. In March 2025, photographs from Lumen Field showed Schmetzer sharing post-match moments on the field with two young grandchildren wearing Sounders jerseys.

The grandchildren’s names and which of Brian and Kristine’s children are their parents have not been consistently identified by authoritative club sources. Because they are young children and private individuals, those details are best left private.

Who Are Brian Schmetzer’s Parents?

Brian Schmetzer is the son of Walter “Walt” Schmetzer Sr. and Ursula “Ulla” Schmetzer. His parents played an enormous role not only in his life but also in the development of soccer culture in Seattle.

The Schmetzer family arrived in the Seattle area in 1962 after moving from Germany. Brian was born in Seattle shortly afterward and grew up in a household where soccer was part of everyday life.

Walter was an accomplished player who later became a youth coach, while Ursula helped operate the family’s sporting-goods business. Their influence eventually extended far beyond their own children and into the wider Washington soccer community.

Brian Schmetzer’s Father: Walter “Walt” Schmetzer Sr.

Brian Schmetzer’s father was Walter Schmetzer Sr., a German-born footballer, coach and businessman who became an important figure in Washington soccer.

Walter had played soccer in Germany before immigrating to the United States. MLS describes him as a highly talented youth player and fast winger, and he continued playing competitively after settling in Washington.

Once Brian became old enough to play organized soccer, Walter increasingly turned his attention toward coaching. He created and coached the Lake City Hawks, a youth team that became one of the strongest sides in Washington.

Brian was one of his players. Seattle Sounders’ official biography states that Schmetzer’s youth team won seven of ten state championships during his development under his father.

Walter’s influence went beyond coaching. In 1974, a trip to Germany with his youth team inspired him to establish a specialty soccer store in Seattle after he saw how excited the young players were by equipment that was difficult to find in the United States.

The resulting business, Schmetzer’s Sporthaus, became an institution within Seattle-area soccer for more than four decades.

Walter was also indirectly responsible for helping Brian become a professional player. When the original Seattle Sounders were evaluating local talent, Walter contacted members of the club’s coaching staff about scouting a player. They attended and ended up becoming impressed with Brian as well.

Brian subsequently signed with the NASL Sounders directly out of Nathan Hale High School in 1980.

Walter Sr. later entered the Washington Youth Soccer Hall of Fame. Washington Youth Soccer announced his passing after decades of influence on players, coaches and families throughout the state.

Brian Schmetzer’s Mother: Ursula “Ulla” Schmetzer

Brian Schmetzer’s mother is Ursula “Ulla” Schmetzer. She was a major part of the family business and the daily work that allowed Schmetzer’s Sporthaus to grow into a well-known Seattle soccer institution.

Washington Youth Soccer’s history of the business explains that Walter initially continued working early shifts manufacturing aircraft parts while building the store. Ursula would open the shop in the morning, sometimes bringing Brian’s younger twin brothers Andy and Walt with her.

Ulla handled important administrative responsibilities, including bookkeeping, while also serving customers. As the store grew, her role remained central to its operation.

Brian later reflected on what he learned from watching his parents build the business. He said their willingness to pursue their dream influenced his own entrepreneurial outlook, including his later involvement in the construction business alongside his soccer career.

The Schmetzer household therefore combined soccer, family responsibility and business from Brian’s childhood onward.

Brian Schmetzer’s Siblings

Brian Schmetzer grew up with three publicly documented siblings: younger brothers Andy and Walter “Walt” Schmetzer Jr., and sister Jeannette Schmetzer.

Like Brian, both of his younger brothers became high-level soccer players. Jeannette was also closely connected to the family’s sporting-goods business.

Andy Schmetzer

Andy Schmetzer is one of Brian’s younger brothers and the twin brother of Walter Jr.

Andy grew up playing under the same family soccer influence as Brian. He and Walt starred at Nathan Hale High School, helping the school win the Washington 3A boys soccer championship in 1985.

Following high school, Andy entered professional indoor soccer. He played for clubs including the Cleveland Force and Cleveland Crunch and enjoyed a lengthy indoor career.

Andy also played alongside Brian and Walt with FC Seattle. Having three Schmetzer brothers representing the same Seattle team became one of the more unusual family stories in the city’s soccer history.

Walter “Walt” Schmetzer Jr.

Walter “Walt” Schmetzer Jr. is Brian’s other younger brother and Andy’s twin.

Like Andy, Walt played soccer at Nathan Hale before beginning a professional career. His teams included FC Seattle, the Cleveland Force and Tacoma Stars.

Walt and Brian were also teammates with the Tacoma Stars, while all three brothers shared time together with FC Seattle.

After his playing career, Walt became especially important to Schmetzer’s Sporthaus. He gradually took over much of the business from his parents and continued operating it as the specialty soccer-retail market changed.

The store eventually closed in 2017 after approximately 43 years, ending a significant chapter in the family’s connection to Seattle soccer.

Jeannette Schmetzer

Jeannette Schmetzer is Brian’s sister. Although she did not develop the same public professional soccer career as her brothers, she was directly involved in the family business.

Washington Youth Soccer reports that Jeannette worked both behind the counter and on the sales floor at Schmetzer’s Sporthaus as a teenager.

The store was truly a family operation: Ursula handled bookkeeping, Walter Sr. worked at the shop after his manufacturing job, Jeannette served customers, and Brian, Andy and Walt handled tasks such as silk-screening shirts and managing inventory.

Brian, Andy and Walt Schmetzer All Played Professional Soccer

The presence of three professional soccer-playing brothers makes the Schmetzers one of the most distinctive soccer families in Seattle history.

Brian was the first to reach the professional level when he signed with the original Seattle Sounders in 1980. His career later included the Tulsa Roughnecks, San Diego Sockers, Tacoma Stars and St. Louis Storm, among other teams.

Andy and Walt followed him into the professional ranks in the mid-1980s. In 1985, all three brothers were connected to FC Seattle.

Brian produced one of his most memorable performances that year when he scored both goals in a 2-1 exhibition victory over Brazilian club Santos.

The brothers’ careers demonstrated just how influential Walter Sr.’s coaching and the family’s soccer-focused environment had been.

The Schmetzer Family’s German Roots

Brian Schmetzer’s family has strong German roots through his parents. Walter Sr. came from Germany and had already played football there before relocating to Washington.

The family maintained connections to Germany after settling in Seattle. Walter even took his Lake City Hawks youth team, including Brian, to Germany in 1974 while West Germany was hosting the FIFA World Cup.

During the trip, the young Seattle players faced academy sides associated with prominent German clubs and visited sporting-goods stores that offered soccer equipment unavailable back home.

That experience directly inspired Walter to open the family soccer store after returning to Seattle.

German soccer culture therefore influenced not only Brian’s early playing development but also the family business that became part of the sport’s growth in Washington.

How Brian Schmetzer’s Family Shaped His Coaching Philosophy

Schmetzer’s reputation as a coach is often associated with loyalty, relationships and an ability to understand players. Many elements of that personality can be traced to his family upbringing.

His father served as his earliest coach and demonstrated how a demanding competitive environment could coexist with a commitment to developing young players.

His parents also showed Brian the value of hard work. Walter balanced an early-morning manufacturing job with coaching and operating a soccer store, while Ursula spent years handling the daily demands of the family business.

Brian later balanced coaching with his own construction work before professional soccer became a full-time career at the highest level.

He has repeatedly emphasized the importance of people and relationships throughout his coaching career, a perspective consistent with growing up inside a tightly connected family business and soccer community.

Brian Schmetzer’s Own Family Has Remained in Seattle

Seattle has remained the central location in virtually every stage of Schmetzer’s life.

He was born in the city, attended Nathan Hale High School, played for multiple Seattle-area professional teams, coached the USL Sounders and eventually became head coach of the MLS Sounders.

His parents helped establish deep roots in the local soccer community, and his brothers also played professionally in the region.

Brian and Kristine have similarly built their family life around the Pacific Northwest. Their children are adults, and the couple have described themselves as empty-nesters.

Becoming grandparents has added another generation to the Schmetzer family story. Images of Brian sharing the Lumen Field pitch with his grandchildren underline how closely his professional life and family identity continue to intersect.

Brian Schmetzer Keeps Parts of His Family Life Private

Schmetzer has spent decades as one of Seattle soccer’s most recognizable figures, but he has never made every part of his family life public.

Official Sounders sources provide the key facts: his wife is Kristine, the couple have six children between them and they have two grandchildren. Historical club media also identifies Brian’s children Daniela, Colin and Kian.

Similarly, extensive historical reporting establishes his parents as Walter Sr. and Ursula and his siblings as Andy, Walt and Jeannette.

However, the names and biographies of all six children have not been publicly documented by authoritative sources, nor have detailed biographies of his grandchildren been released. Keeping those distinctions clear avoids turning private relatives into public figures simply because of their connection to a famous coach.

As of now, Brian Schmetzer is married to Kristine. They have six children between them and two grandchildren. Brian’s three publicly named children are Daniela, Colin and Kian. His parents are Walter “Walt” Schmetzer Sr. and Ursula “Ulla” Schmetzer, while his siblings are Andy, Walter Jr. and Jeannette Schmetzer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brian Schmetzer’s Family

Who is Brian Schmetzer’s wife?

Brian Schmetzer’s wife is Kristine Schmetzer. Seattle Sounders’ official biography confirms that the couple have six children between them.

How many children does Brian Schmetzer have?

Seattle Sounders states that Brian and Kristine have six children between them. Older official Sounders media guides specifically identify three of Brian’s children as Daniela, Colin and Kian Schmetzer.

Who are Brian Schmetzer’s children?

The three children publicly named in official historical Seattle Sounders media guides are Daniela, Colin and Kian. Current club information says Brian and Kristine have six children between them, but it does not publicly name all six.

Does Brian Schmetzer have grandchildren?

Yes. Seattle Sounders’ official coaching biography states that Brian and Kristine have two grandchildren.

Who are Brian Schmetzer’s parents?

Brian Schmetzer’s parents are Walter “Walt” Schmetzer Sr. and Ursula “Ulla” Schmetzer.

Who was Brian Schmetzer’s father?

Walter Schmetzer Sr. was a German-born soccer player, youth coach and entrepreneur. He coached Brian as a child, developed the successful Lake City Hawks and founded the family soccer store that became known as Schmetzer’s Sporthaus.

Who is Brian Schmetzer’s mother?

Brian Schmetzer’s mother is Ursula “Ulla” Schmetzer. She played a major role in operating Schmetzer’s Sporthaus, including managing its bookkeeping and helping run the store on a daily basis.

Does Brian Schmetzer have siblings?

Yes. Brian’s publicly documented siblings are brothers Andy and Walter “Walt” Schmetzer Jr. and sister Jeannette Schmetzer.

Are Andy and Walt Schmetzer twins?

Yes. Andy and Walt Schmetzer are twin brothers and are both younger than Brian. Both became professional soccer players.

Did Brian Schmetzer play soccer with his brothers?

Yes. Brian played alongside younger brothers Andy and Walt with FC Seattle, and he also shared teams with Walt during other stages of his playing career.

Was Brian Schmetzer’s father also a soccer player?

Yes. Walter Sr. played soccer in Germany and later competed in Washington after immigrating to the United States. He eventually shifted his focus toward coaching and youth development.

What was Schmetzer’s Sporthaus?

Schmetzer’s Sporthaus was the family’s Seattle-area specialty soccer store. Walter and Ursula operated the business with help from their children, and it served the region’s soccer community for approximately four decades before closing in 2017.