TUKWILA, Wash. – Gonzalo Pineda played two seasons for the Seattle Sounders, starting 24 games for the 2014 squad that won the US Open Cup and Supporters’ Shield double and scoring four goals in 56 appearances overall before retiring in 2015.
Now, after spending last year as a television analyst for Univision, the former Mexican international is back in Rave Green this season after taking a position as an assistant coach. Speaking with reporters after Seattle’s Thursday practice at Starfire Sports, Pineda said he’s enjoying to his new role on the sidelines under Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer.
“It’s a different side of the game,” Pineda said. “But I’m still enjoying every day, every training session and sharing it with my ex-teammates, it’s something very special for me.
“I have to be a little different now. It’s still the same friendship with some of these guys but at the same time I have to be very firm sometimes with them. But it’s something I can handle.”
Pineda brings plenty of pedigree with him to Schmetzer’s staff. The 34-year-old was a longtime veteran of Liga MX before signing with Seattle and has 44 caps for Mexico’s national team.
Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, who was Pineda’s preseason roommate when the two played together during his rookie season, said that credibility makes him think his former teammate could have a bright future ahead in coaching.
“I think he brings expectations, I think he brings a little bit of pressure but good pressure obviously,” Roldan said. “He brings experience, commitment, a whole lot to the team. I’ve known him for a couple years now and he’s been great to me and even better now. It’s the little things that he does that stand out for me.
“I think he’s going be a great coach down the line and he’ll eventually be a head coach for sure.”
Pineda’s history with Liga MX has made him a valuable resource ahead of Seattle’s friendly this weekend with Mexican side Club Necaxa, who the Sounders will take on at CenturyLink Field on Saturday. Schmetzer said this week that he’s tasked Pineda with much of the scouting and film study of Necaxa, who currently sit at 15th on the Liga MX table after finishing seventh last season.
As for Roldan’s prediction that a head coaching job could be on the horizon somewhere down the line? Pineda says that for now, he is enjoying his time as an assistant for the Sounders and is focused on honing his craft first.
“Not now. My plan is just to learn as much as I can,” Pineda said. “I’m pretty young for a coach so I want to learn from Brian a lot, as much as I can. Probably 10 more years. I’m okay with that.
“I want to be prepared when the times comes but I don’t want to be pressuring anyone or anything. I’m very happy in this organization, in this city. My family loves this city, so I want to be here as much as I can and to learn as much I can. So I have no rush on any of those topics.”
