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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Explore our history. Click on any of the panels below to learn what happened that year.
Medved Nets Equalizer in MLS Cup Final
October 20, 1996

Shawn Medved plays a vital role in D.C. United's miraculous late 2-goal comeback in the MLS Cup Final at Foxboro Stadium. Medved, who comes off the bench in the 70th minute with United trailing 2-nil, first forces a save from LA's Jorge Campos, then converts the rebound for a 2-2 tie in the 81st. D.C. goes on to win, 3-2, on Eddie Pope's golden goal four minutes into extra time.

Vancouver Native Debuts for USWNT
July 10, 2005

Vancouver, Washington's Tina Frimpong Ellertson makes her first appearance for the USWNT in Portland versus Ukraine (7:0). Ellertson is a recent University of Washington graduate now playing forward for the Sounders Women but defender for the national team. Soon after entering, she wins possession seconds prior to Tiffeny Milbrett's 100th international goal.

Sounders Add England Keeper Corrigan
March 25, 1983

In its biggest move under the new ownership Seattle signs England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Corrigan, 34, to a three-year deal. Corrigan earned two caps the previous year and made 592 appearances (all competitions) for City since 1967 and was 1981 FA Cup Final man of the match.

Sounders Ousted Despite Aggregate Edge
November 8, 2025

While they tallied seven goals and finished the series with a plus-2 goal differential, the Sounders go out of the MLS playoffs in the first round at the hands of Minnesota United. Seattle is edged, 3-3 (7-6), in a St. Paul shootout in the deciding third game of the series. Seattle squanders a 2-nil, but Jordan Morris scores in the 88th minute to force the tiebreaker. The Sounders had won Game 2, 4-2, after losing a shootout decision in Game 1, 0-0 (3-2) in Minnesota. They end the season on 7-game unbeaten run.

Pacific Lutheran Wins National Title
November 20, 1988

Pacific Lutheran become the state’s first women’s collegiate champions, taking the NAIA title, 2-0, over Hardin-Simmons, in windy Abilene, Texas. Laura Dutt and Sonya Brandt score in the second half for the Lutes – Brandt scoring her record 127th career goal and 32nd of the season. Gail Stenzel earns her 15th shutout and 42nd for her career. Brandt is named the tournament’s most outstanding player, and Colleen Hacker is voted coach of the year.

Central Florida Retires Akers Jersey
February 1, 1992

Central Florida honors Michelle Akers-Stahl by retiring her No. 10 jersey. Akers-Stahl completed her career (1984-88) as the Knights' career scoring (52) and assists (30) leader. Ten months later, she is named interim coach while UCF seeks to replace Bill Barker.

Many Washingtonians attended 1999 World Cup matches, including the record 90,185 in the Rose Bowl for the USA-China final. (Frank MacDonald)
1999
Sounders captain Alan Hudson lifts the 1980 Western Division championship trophy. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
1980
Actor Josie Bissett models the first Sounders home jersey at the WaMu Theater unveiling. (Courtesy Seattle P-I)
2008
West Seattle began fielding teams in the state league during the Twenties, and this 1928 side won both the league and knockout cup. (Courtesy Pep Peery/Mike Mikkelsen)
1949
(Frank MacDonald Collection)
1985
David Butler, Sounders forward in the NASL era, raises the Golden Scarf to celebrate the Soccer Bowl '77 run's 40th anniversary. (Courtesy Sounders FC)
2017
Sounders fans broke their own MLS attendance records in 2010, averaging 36,173 at Qwest Field. (Courtesy Sounders FC)
2010
Tony Crudo, Seattle's youth international.
1977
1976
The Vikings were one of the first known clubs to sponsor a women's program. In 1929 the Valkyries played the club's male oldtimers during the annual picnic at Bellevue's Vasa Park on Lake Sammamish. (Courtesy Pep Peery/Mike Mikkelsen)
1949