Andy Schmetzer

Background

Schmetzer grew up in Seattle, Washington where he attended Nathan Hale High School. He learned to play soccer under the tutelage of his father Walter who coached him with the Lake City Hawks youth team

Career

Youth

Walter, a native of Germany, had played in the German Third Division before immigrating to the United States. Professional

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.

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.

National team

In 1992, Schmetzer played with the United States national futsal team that placed second in the Fédération internationale de football association Futsal World Championship held in Hong Kong.

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-League 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.

Achievements

• Andy was also a member of the Sporthaus Football Club youth team which won the Washington State championship. Schmetzer and his team mates went on to win three NPSL titles in 1994, 1996 and 1999. That team also won all their summer tournaments placing 2nd in state falling to the other team in penalty kicks.