Seattle Sounders FC has released some highlights from Adrian Hanauer and Chris Henderson regarding the status of the head coach search.

Additional information will be posted on the Sounders FC website. But here's an early look provided by the team:

“The process is accelerating,” says general manager Adrian Hanauer. “The previous few months have been the research and discussion part of our process to figure out what type of coach we want. We’re now entering the phase of going out and actually contacting those individuals, contacting teams to ask for permission to speak to coaches currently under contract, and trying to organize interviews.”

Together with technical director Chris Henderson, Hanauer has put together a group of candidates.

“It’s a pretty strong list and when I look at the list of names. I don’t think we can go wrong with any of them,” Henderson says.

Hanauer knows that many candidates are connected to clubs now entering a critical point in their respective seasons, and he plans to be respectful of those relationships.

“We are very sensitive to coaches currently working for other people,” he says. “We don’t want to put them and their teams in an awkward situation as they’re playing in their competitions.”

Hanauer and Henderson have a clear sense of the qualities they seek in an individual: Character, a strong résumé, a philosophy and goals for both himself and the team.

“We want to hire people who do things the Sounders way, based on character. It’s much like the way the Seahawks have done it,” Henderson says.

Coaching prospects must understand and embrace Major League Soccer’s system of player movement and acquisition. “Given the salary cap, coaching in MLS is slightly unique and requires a certain mentality,” contends Hanauer. “We will hire a coach who is willing to put in the hard work necessary to creatively put a winning side on the pitch.”

The coach will be responsible for not only the first team, but also replenishing talent from within the club by developing younger players.

The only confirmed candidate is Brian Schmetzer, now in his seventh season as the head coach of the Sounders USL team. Seattle has won USL Division 1 championships in two of the past three seasons.

“Not only has Brian proven his character but his coaching resume has been excellent,” states Henderson.

As for the announcement of who gets the Sounders FC first coaching job, Hanauer indicates it could come relatively soon.

“We should have a coach in place, anywhere from the middle of October until the day after MLS Cup (Nov. 23).”