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.
Plagued by back pain, Annie Schefter doesn't start but she eventually finishes off Lakeside, 2-1, in the girls' 3A state final at Federal Way. Schefter, bound for Notre Dame, scores both goals for the Rams, who finish 24-0-0 and avenge a loss to the Lions a year earlier. Schefter's penalty with five seconds left in the first half opens the scoring. Teryn Allen levels matters for Lakeside in the 46th minute, but Schefter's 47th goal of the year wins it in the 66th minute. Lakeside (20-2-0) edged West Valley by an identical score in 2000.
A chaotic match between Seattle Hungarians and Continental is abandoned after 52 minutes when the latter team abruptly leaves the Lower Woodland pitch. The first half is marred by vicious tackling and repeated protesting of officials' calls. A fight results in ejections for both sides. Steve Furjesi beats an offside trap to put the Magyars ahead, and when Tommy Major converts a penalty, there are more protestations, resulting in a second Continental and their manager to be sent off. The whole team followed.
Olivia Sekany both saves and shoots Washington into the Sweet Sixteen. The Huskies knock off No. 15 Saint Louis, 0-0 (4-3), to reach the NCAA third round for the first time since 2014. After a scoreless 120 minutes, Sekany makes a huge punch save in the fourth round the tied shootout, then slots home the decisive penalty. UW out-shoots the Billikens, 15-9.
Former Buchan star Merle Mjelde, 36, scores six goals for Black Watch Thistle in a state second division, 9-4 win over Frank’s U-Serve. Black Watch, who feature a black and green tartan in their strip, are sponsored by the Black Watch Regiment, whose band and pipers regularly play at local events. George Goers, a state league veteran like Mjelde, scores two. Mjelde achieves another six-goal game two weeks later.
The third annual All Nations Cup final is won by the United States, 1-0, in double overtime against Brazil at Starfire. Organized by Sister Communities, participation has nearly tripled since the first year, to 33 teams made up of Northwest athletes representing their native countries.
American poet and soccer fan Christopher Merrill publishes his diary of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, The Grass of Another Country. Merrill, a 1982 University of Washington master's graduate, records the lyrical moments on and off the field in Italy.