The bar, Brian Schmetzer noticed, is beginning to show its age. He’s been coming to The Attic in Madison Park for decades, dating back to when it was best known for its $1 draft beers on Thursday nights. This is his neighborhood pub. See those tables in the back? That’s where family and friends gathered to celebrate his daughter’s 30th birthday.



He’s had less time to make it out to the bar since taking over as head coach of the Sounders in July of 2016. There’s nostalgia tinged with sadness in his voice as his blue eyes scan the corners of the room most betraying wear and tear.



“It used to be more popular back in the day,” Schmetzer said. “We were a lot younger then.”



Still, Mark, the owner, embraces him like an old friend as soon as he walks in. The simultaneous Spain-Morocco and Portugal-Iran World Cup group stage finales are playing on TV, reminding both of the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan,...