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Schmid leaving Crew for Sounders

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Sigi Schmid will leave the Columbus Crew after failing to agree to a new contract, Goal.com has learned. An announcement from the club is expected Wednesday. His three-year deal expired last week, and the sides failed to reach a compromise.

The 2008 MLS Coach of the Year led Columbus to the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup double, enjoying unprecedented success for the Ohio club.

Rumor has it that both the financial terms of the contract and the distance from his family, who remain in Southern California, influenced Schimd's decision to leave.

Schmid is expected to sign with the Seattle Sounders FC. He met with members of the organization late last week during a trip to the Northwest. The 2009 expansion team is expected to name a head coach for the upcoming season soon.

Columbus faced a triple-threat of departures after the 2008 season. Initially, news was positive as it managed to re-sign 2008 MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, but that has been followed shortly by the news of Schmid's departure. Defender Chad Marshall also could leave for a generous European contract, and is currently training with German club Mainz 05.

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