Washington State
Legends of Soccer

Curated by the Washington State Legends of Soccer, providing information and history of the Beautiful Game in Washington State. Just as the game evolves, so will this site. We continuously add new content, so be sure to return often.

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Bellarmine Reloads, Rebounds for 3A Crown
November 23, 1996

After graduating 10 seniors from its state runner-up side, Bellarmine Prep rebounds with a 2-1 triumph over Decatur in the girls 3A state final at Shoreline Stadium. Sophomore Julie Butler's 30-yard blast with 30 seconds remaining is the Lions' winner. All three goals came in the final eight minutes, with Bellarmine's Lisa Wilson being answered by the Gators' Kellie Krueger. Bellarmine (17-1-2) was second to Shorecrest in 1995 3A final and champion in both 1987 and '94.

Seattle Acquires Pair of Dallas Stars
January 8, 2025

Rather than look overseas, Seattle trades with FC Dallas for forward Jesús Ferreira and, on Jan. 13, winger Paul Arriola. Ferreira is acquired in exchange for Léo Chú, $1M in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM), $500k in 2026 GAM and up to $800k GAM if certain performance metrics are met and a 2025 International Roster Slot. The Sounders use a 2026 first round draft pick and up to $300,000 in GAM for Arriola. Ferreira and Arriola have a combined 73 caps and 25 goals for the U.S. National Team. Ferreira was Best XI and 2022 MLS Young Player of the Year.

Stars Back Home, Finally
December 12, 2021

Tacoma Stars play their first home game in 21 months, opening the MASL 2021-22 season before 2,198 at ShoWare Center. The Stars, who last played at home on March 1, 2020, had their last three games that year canceled due to the pandemic. In the shortened 2021 campaign, they played all 13 games on the road. Tacoma goes down 3-0 early to defending champion San Diego, then takes the lead, 4-3, five minutes into the second half on a Nick Perera goal. The Sockers score five of the game's next six goals and eventually win, 10-7.

Perera Totals 7 Points in Win
January 6, 2024

Nick Perera pads his lead in MASL goals and assist by scoring four times and setting-up three more scores in the Tacoma Stars' 10-7 win over Utica City before 2,300 at accesso ShoWare Center, Perera's goals include a short-handed strike and Tacoma's game-winner. He is later named league offensive player of the week.

Sounders, Rainiers Envision Tacoma Stadium
May 8, 2017

Seattle Sounders FC and the Tacoma Rainiers announce that they have reached a Memorandum of Understanding, progressing to build a 5,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium on the footprint of Cheney Stadium in central Tacoma. The proposed site is set to be the future home of Sounders FC's rebranded USL franchise, which would be co-managed by the Rainiers.

Gonzaga Rolls On, Earns Record 12th Win
November 5, 2005

Gonzaga's late-season surge continues as the Bulldogs blank San Francisco, 3-0 in the final regular season game at Martin Field. Beth Drollinger and Nanda McCormick notch first-half goals and Jamie Blanche adds another in the second half. Ashley Haugen's five saves earn her sixth straight shutout and 11th of the season, a program record. Gonzaga also sets a program record with its 12th win and has not allowed a goal since Oct. 9, going unbeaten (3-0-3) during that span.

A view from the top rows of Memorial Stadium for the Sounders' inaugural home match versus Denver. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
1974
Michelle Akers of Seattle's Union Bay Flyers. (Courtesy Soccer America)
1984
Former Gonzaga and Sounders forward Brian Ching applauds fans at his testimonial match in Houston. (Courtesy Houston Dynamo)
2013
Kent's Shannon Higgins was a first-team All-American and runner-up to Michelle Akers for 1988 Hermann Award winner. As a junior, Higgins led North Carolina to its third straight NCAA championship. (Courtesy North Carolina Athletics)
1988
Lowenbrau Zurich coach Mike Ryan addresses his team at the national finals in Houston.
1983
Inaugural team photo for Sounders FC.
2009
Tacoma and NASL Sounders legends Jeff Stock, left, and Mark Peterson raise their golden scarves prior to the first MLS league match vs. Portland. (Sounders FC photo)
2011
Both are talented, but which is John Legend and which is Sounders FC defender James Riley? (Sounders FC photo)
2009
Kasey Keller, Sigi Schmid and Travis Myernick, son of Glenn Myernick, are presented as the 2015 National Soccer Hall of Fame induction class. (Courtesy Stephen Brashear/ISI Photos)
2015
Seattle Pacific marked the 50th anniversary of starting the men's program by inviting back alumni. Coincidentally, the Falcons won that night, 5-0 over Hawaii Hilo. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific Athletics)
2018