Schmetzer grew up in Seattle, Washington where he attended Nathan Hale High School.
He learned to play soccer under the tutelage of his father Walter who coached him with the Lake City Hawks youth team.
Walter, a native of Germany, had played in the German Third Division before immigrating to the United States.
Schmetzer, and his twin brother Andy led Nathan Hale to the 1985 3A Washington State boys soccer championship.
[1] In 1986, he signed with the Cleveland Force of Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).