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Sounders add Darren Sawatzky to coaching staff

February 21, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


Former Seattle Sounders forward Darren Sawatzky will join the team as an assistant coach for the 2007 season. Sawatzky is the second all time leading goal scorer for the team. He tallied 30 goals in 95 matches during the 2000, 2002 and 2003 seasons.

Sounders fans will best remember Sawatzky for the year he had in 2000 when he was voted team MVP, earned USL First Division First Team Honors and finished tied with teammate Greg Howes for third in the USL First Division scoring with 41 points.

"I look forward to the opportunity to work with coach Schmetzer and the Sounders organization," says Sawatzky. "The Sounders have a rich tradition of entertaining, championship soccer that I am excited to be a part of again."

"Darren Sawatzky's energy is contagious, and his experience as a player will help the Sounders continue our tradition of developing young players. I look forward to having Darren on the bench this year," says Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer.

In 2002 Sawatzky returned to the Sounders (after a year with the Portland Timbers) and netted nine goals and nine assists finishing second on the team in points as the Sounders put together a record setting year with a 23-4-1 record.

Sawatzky announced his retirement as a player in 2004 after a career that included two seasons with the New England Revolution, and one each with FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids all of (MLS) to go along with three years with the Sounders and one with the Portland Timbers in the USL First Division.

On July 20, 1996, Sawatzky scored two goals as a member of the New England Revolution. The match against D.C. United was televised on ESPN and earned Sawatzky a spot on the evening edition of SportsCenter.

Sawatzky, a Seattle area native, graduated from Jefferson High School in Federal Way and played collegiate soccer at the University of Portland.

Since retirement Sawatzky has worked as an assistant coach at the University of Washington, coached the Jefferson High School Boys and is the Director of Coaching for the Highline Soccer Club.

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