3 Degrees of Separation
How Seattle Sounders FC and St. Louis City SC Are Connected
CoachedSigi SchmidSigi Schmid managed Columbus Crew (2006–2008) and Seattle Sounders FC (2009–2016).
RivalsHell is Real Derby — Hell is Real Derby, Same state, Eastern Conference, Recent playoff matchup (2023-2025)Hell is Real Derby — Hell is Real Derby, Same state, Eastern Conference, Recent playoff matchup (2023-2025)
Expansion DraftJohn NelsonJohn Nelson was selected by St. Louis City SC from FC Cincinnati in the 2022 expansion draft.
Seattle Sounders FC connects to St. Louis City SC in 3 degrees through coaching, rivalry and expansion draft. First, Seattle Sounders FC links to Columbus Crew via coaching: Sigi Schmid managed Columbus Crew (2006–2008) and Seattle Sounders FC (2009–2016). Then, Columbus Crew links to FC Cincinnati via rivalry: Hell is Real Derby — Hell is Real Derby, Same state, Eastern Conference, Recent playoff matchup (2023-2025) Finally, FC Cincinnati links to St. Louis City SC via expansion draft: John Nelson was selected by St. Louis City SC from FC Cincinnati in the 2022 expansion draft.