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.
NASL commissioner Dick Walsh visits Seattle to meet with local soccer community leaders. With an impending vote to build a domed stadium, Walsh says soccer could be a potential tenant.
A season-high attendance of 10,200 – most wearing the yellow colors of the visitors – watches the Seattle Sounders friendly with one of Mexico's most popular sides, Club America, at Qwest Field. Following a scoreless first half, former Argentine international Claudio Lopez scores a penalty kick for the Liga MX 2005 Clausura winners in the 53rd minute and doubles it in the 81st. America plays with 10 men after Raul Alvin Mendoza is sent off for his second cautionable offense in the 26th minute. Luis Villegas sees red two minutes after coming on as an 87' substitute. Cuauhtémoc Blanco is injured and does not play.
Shoreline's Michelle Akers headlines the inductees to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y. Akers, who received a near-unanimous 70 of 73 votes in her first year of eligibility, becomes the fourth female among 110 members. She led the USWNT to World Cup victories in 1991 and 1999 and the first women's Olympic gold in 1996. Akers retired in 2000 as the program's No. 2 scorer (105 goals) in 153 appearances since 1985. In 2002 she was named FIFA Co-Player of the Century. Also inducted are Eric Wynalda, Mike Windischmann and Paul Caligiuri.
The Tacoma-based Cozars, four-time national finalist, are brought into FC Seattle’s organization. Founded and initially coached by Governor Booth Gardner, the Cozars are coached by Berhane Andeberhan and feature several members of the U.S. National Team. They effectively merge with the club’s existing team comprised of top players from the FCS City League. On May 17, FC Seattle hosts a Western Soccer Alliance women’s tournament which the Cozars win. Shannon Higgins scores twice in a 3-1 win over San Jose.
Tacoma's Gretchen Gegg makes her first appearance for the U.S. National Team, getting a shutout, 3-0, against Canada in Blaine, Minn. Gegg, 21, had played wit the Cozars and transfer to North Carolina to play in the fall.
Ron Tullis connects on the overtime game-winner to give Buchan Bakers the Hamilton Douglas Cup, 3-2 over the Norselander Vikings. The cup was contested by all state league teams apart from winners E&E Meats. Tullis met a pass from Lefty Lane in extra time. In regulation, Jim Everham and Joe Baltimore tally for the Bakers. Bruno Jandesek and an own goal account for the Vikings' scores.