Familiar Face to Front Force

Published on May 6, 2003 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Cleveland Force News Release


CLEVELAND, OHIO- Cleveland Force President and General Manager Paul Garofolo today officially announced Andy Schmetzer as the 12th head coach in team history (Force/Crunch) after serving as interim head coach since October 16, 2002. Schmetzer signed a three-year contract to serve as Head Coach of the Force. Per team policy terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"Andy has earned this contract not only as a result of last season's efforts but also from years of preparation as a player desiring to be a coach following his playing career. Coaching runs in his family as older brother Brian has experienced success with the A-League Seattle Sounders. We couldn't be more pleased to have Andy, a long time member of the Force family, leading this team," stated Garofolo on the signing.

Schmetzer posted a record of 18-15 in 33 games after taking over the helm at the beginning of the 2002-03 season when the Force was 1-2. Andy guided the team to a second place finish in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Eastern Conference as well as the team's first playoff berth in three seasons. He was also named the MISL Eastern Conference All-Star Head Coach.

Major Indoor Soccer League Coaching Record

Year Team W L Pct.
2002-03 Cleveland 18 15 .545

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to build on the excitement of last season. I feel with refined continuity between the players and the coaching staff we will be able to achieve great things. I will head into the coming season with the outlook of not changing too many aspects of my coaching style. Last season, was a learning experience for me and I feel that I will be better prepared for what I need to accomplish as a coach when the team heads into the preseason as well as the full MISL schedule," commented Schmetzer.

Schmetzer, who announced his retirement as a professional player on October 2, 2001, spent 14 seasons as a player in indoor soccer including the last 12 seasons in a Cleveland uniform. Andy earned three championship rings; all three with the Cleveland franchise and participated in three All-Star games. Throughout his stellar career, Schmetzer served as team captain for six seasons and claimed his spot in the rankings, as first on the club's All-Time block list with 513 and third in scoring with 609 points.

Schmetzer was originally drafted in the first round of the 1985 MISL Draft by the Cleveland Force. He played with the original Force for two seasons (1986-87 and 1987-88) but left Cleveland for the Tacoma Stars. He returned to Cleveland as a free agent on August 7, 1990.

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