TUKWILA, Wash. -- As he walked off the practice field recently, Brian Schmetzer was greeted in a manner usually reserved for players.The Seattle Sounders coach was pulled aside to sign a poster board, asked to pose for a cellphone picture with a fan and finally chased down to autograph -- of all things -- a shoe.Ive still got another four hours of work, Schmetzer cracked with a grin as he walked away.Schmetzer is a popular guy these days after leading a remarkable turnaround that has landed Seattle in Saturdays MLS title game at Toronto with a chance to add a major piece of hardware missing from the clubs trophy case.Its been a stunning climb, from the depths of the Western Conference standings in July when Schmetzer took over following the dismissal of Sigi Schmid, to the Sounders position now.It always has the opportunity to get better, starting with we put ourselves in the position to have the opportunity to win an MLS Cup, said Schmetzer, a Seattle native who had the interim tag removed from his title in early November. Im proud of that. But hopefully, well all be around here for a few more years and well continue to build on those opportunities to create the moments to create the chances to win more.Schmetzer, 54, is entwined with Seattles soccer history. A star player in previous generations of Seattle soccer franchises. A coach with earlier incarnations of the Sounders at lower levels of American soccer. An assistant coach for the first 7 + years of the MLS franchise. And now the man in charge of leading a remarkable midseason turnaround that has Seattle on the cusp of an unlikely first league championship and the biggest soccer moment in the citys history with the sport.I think because of the story of our year you might have some traction there, Schmetzer said. But I think there have been some big moments. Winning the Supporters Shield in (2014), that team was really good. Again its kind of by era. The championships we won in (2005) and (2007) were pretty big for that moment in time. The (1995) team for their moment, the Soccer Bowl appearance in (1982). Its all kind of relative to the era that were kind of playing in. But this one is pretty big.When Schmetzer inherited the lead role on an interim basis in late July, the Sounders were on pace for their worst season in club history. A season that began with promise highlighted by the signing of young American star Jordan Morris had devolved to the point that Schmid, the winningest coach in MLS history, was cast aside.Even though he sat next to Schmid for the entirety of his tenure with Seattle, Schmetzers voice in the locker room became fresh and new. It was respected, in part because Schmetzer gave ownership to his players.Hes given us the team in a way, goalkeeper Stefan Frei said. Some players may not even realize this but its a huge sign of respect that a coach shows the players when he kind of does that. When he says, `Im the chaperone but this is your guys team. I will guide you the best that I can but you guys will make the decisions. You guys will be the ones going to battle. For me its a huge sign of respect he shows the players and I think when players get that feeling they immediately want to repay that respect.He also remained the same person that even the longest-tenured Sounders have come to know. Schmetzer is an original just as much as Brad Evans, Osvaldo Alonso and Zach Scott -- the only players who have been with Seattle every season since its MLS debut in 2009.A guy who was fiery even from our first training session (in 2009), Evans said. He in was our faces, making sure everything was sharp, quick and to the point. In saying that nothing has changed really. Hes still in your ear, in the back of your mind saying, `faster, quicker, and thats good to keep the guys on their toes. Hes done that since day one. Josh Allen Jersey . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. 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CHICAGO -- Cubs infielder Tommy La Stella has refused to report to Triple-A Iowa after being optioned to the minors nearly two weeks ago, and Chicago placed him on the temporary inactive list Tuesday.La Stella started at third base for the Cubs in last years wild-card victory over Pittsburgh. He was optioned to the minors on July 29 when Chicago activated outfielder Chris Coghlan off the disabled list.The left-handed hitting La Stella is batting .295 with a .388 on-base percentage in 105 at-bats with the Cubs and didnt take the demotion well.Hes a 27-year-old kid working through some stuff and were trying to give him time to work through those things, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. Weve had a lot of contact with him and well continue to do that.Manager Joe Maddon said hes communicated by text message with La Stella, who was back home in New Jersey working out.Hes not angry. Hes not upset, Maddon said. Hes just at that point where he doesnt know exactly what he wants to do. Thats it.La Stella will continue to get paid while hes on the inactive list.Depth has been a good problem for the major league-leading Cubs thhis season.dddddddddddd La Stella was vulnerable to being sent down despite his impressive numbers because he still has minor league options.This guy can flat out hit, Hoyer said.Some Cubs players declined comment about La Stella, saying they didnt know enough about the situation. Others defended him.I dont know if anybody would say they saw that coming by any means, outfielder Jason Heyward said. But at the same time, somebody has got to be at peace with what theyre doing.Outfielder Matt Szczur said he was sure La Stella will eventually report to Iowa.Im really close to Tommy and weve been talking back and forth, Szczur said. Hes trying to get in a good place. I can only support him.Hoyer said La Stellas absence will make the Cubs look for left-handed hitting elsewhere. He said when La Stella returns, it wont be with the Cubs.Theres no doubt hes going to have to get at-bats and play in Triple-A before he can help the major league team, Hoyer said. Hes going to get at-bats in Iowa, for sure. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '