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.
Major League Soccer grants an expansion franchise to Seattle that will begin play at Qwest Field in 2009. The announcement is made at a press conference on the 75th floor of the Columbia Center. Seattle is awarded a team after solidifying an agreement with Hollywood executive Joe Roth, the majority owner, and fellow owners Adrian Hanauer (USL Sounders owner who operates numerous local businesses), Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder and Seahawks/Portland TrailBlazers owner) and actor/comedian Drew Carey. Seattle will be the league’s 15th team.
Dan Larson nets two goals and Danny Vaughn adds a third as Washington shocks defending NCAA champion and No. 1-ranked San Francisco, 3-1, before 4,500 fans at Husky Stadium. Cliff Brown makes seven saves for the Huskies (3-0-2).
Everett's Sean Henderson and older brother Chris Henderson return home to Snohomish County and figure in three goals over nine minutes during a Sounders-Colorado Rapids exhibition. Sean Henderson scores the Rapids' second goal and he and Chris also add assists in the 4-1 win. Former Sounder Marcus Hahnemann is the Colorado keeper. The match is played on the grass at Marysville-Pilchuck High School before 2,627.
Sixty days after being granted an ASL expansion franchise, the Tacoma Tides open play, winning at Sacramento. They win, 1-0, behind former Sounder Roy Sinclair’s 74th-minute goal on assist from Windsor Del Llano.
Facing a Santos Laguna side in midseason Liga MX form, Seattle Sounders open the competitive campaign with a 2-1 Champions League quarterfinal first leg win before 23,433 at CenturyLink Field. David Estrada heads in his first professional goal from a Fredy Montero cross in the 12th minute. Herculez Gomez equalizes for Santos in the 61st, but Brad Evans nods home a Mauro Rosales free kick two minutes later.
For the third time in four weeks OL Reign announces a key acquisition, this time central defender Alana Cook on a transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. Cook had previously played with OL Reign during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup on a short-term loan from the French club. A native of Massachusetts and Stanford graduate, she signed with PSG in early 2019, and in 2021 they finally overtook 14-time defending champion Olympique Lyonnais. Cook captained the U.S. U23 national team and earned her first senior cap in 2019.