Brian Schmetzer began the Sounders’ usual Thursday meeting last week at Starfire Sports by asking a question of his players rather than opening with his typical pep talk. Assistant Gonzalo Pineda had raised an idea at the coaches’ meeting earlier that morning, and something resonated with his boss.



“Stefan,” Schmetzer said, addressing the goalkeeper who had recently been voted vice captain by his teammates, “What is the cost of success?”



“It’s about making sacrifices,” Stefan Frei responded.



Schmetzer moved on.



“Brad,” he continued, “what is the cost of success?”



“Well, you know, working for your teammates,” outside back Brad Smith answered.



Around the locker room it went, players volleying back with one cliché or another. “Standard answers,” as Schmetzer described them, none hitting on exactly what he was looking...