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.
Whitworth Upsets Washington
October 8, 1989

A fluke deflection results in Whitworth shocking Washington, 3-2, at Husky Stadium. The Pirates (14-1-1) rally from 2-nil down after Eddie Henderson and Dave Berto score. The comeback begins with Paul Markillie's first goal, followed by John Gould's equalizer. An attempted UW clearance bounces off Markillie and into the net for the late winner. The Huskies had won their first six meetings with Whitworth by a goal difference of 29-2, and they had been 22-0-1 at home since 1986.

Sigi Schmid Dies, Age 65
December 25, 2018

Sigi Schmid, coach of Sounders FC for its first six and a half seasons, dies in Los Angeles. He was 65. Schmid passes three weeks after being hospitalized at UCLA Medical Center in need of a heart transplant. He was the winningest coach in MLS history (266 in regular season and playoffs) and won MLS Cup titles in Los Angeles and Columbus before coming to Seattle. Under Schmid, the Sounders won four U.S. Open Cups and a Supporters' Shield.

Hungarians Stun PCL Champs
September 4, 1967

John Phelps and Ted Budai score five minutes apart and the Seattle Hungarians stun defending PCL champion Victoria with a 2-2 draw in a preseason exhibition the provincial capital.

Sounders Bow Out in San Jose
September 3, 1983

The book closes on Seattle's first 10 years of professional soccer with a 2-1 loss to Golden Bay at San Jose. Ray Evans scores the final goal on a 47' penalty kick to pull even with the Earthquakes, but Leo Cuellar gets an 89th-minute winner. The Sounders (12-18) had entered the day possessing the eighth and final NASL playoff slot but are overtaken by Montreal, 4-0 winners over Chicago.

St. Louis Eliminates UW in Overtime
November 30, 2003

Fourth-ranked St. Louis gets an overtime winner from freshman Vedad Ibisevic to end Washington's season in the third round of the NCAA tournament. Ibisevic gives the Billikens an early lead, but Troy Ready gets the first of his two goals nine minutes later. However, in the 97th minute Ibisevic intercepts an attempted clearance and shoots past Danny Waltman. It's the best postseason finish for UW and the 13 wins more than doubles the previous year.

Vikings Victorious Over First Half
November 26, 1950

Emmett Brennan scores both goals as the Vikings emerge undefeated over the first half of 1950/51 by beating Seattle Soccer Club, 2-0.

Seattle University rallied late to tie Grand Canyon and eventually win the WAC tournament championship in shootout in Phoenix. (Courtesy WAC)
2021
Kitsap Pumas get the early goal through Robby Christner against Laredo in the 2011 PDL Championship game at Bremerton. (Courtesy Mike Bay / USL)
2011
Hope Solo, right, and Reign FC are all smiles while tripling their points in their second year and improving the goal difference by 44. (Jane Gersovich photo)
2014
CISL Goalkeeper of the Year Juan de la O proves vital to the SeaDogs' championship run.
1997
In 1972, only five varsity, four-year collegiate programs existed in Washington. All were men's and located in Puget Sound. However virtually every other school featured clubs, such as Washington State, shown here.
1972
Concacaf Champions League action between the Sounders and Santos Laguna of Mexico in 2012. (Courtesy Sounders FC)
2012
U.S. National Team coach Jill Ellis delivered the keynote speech at Washington Youth Soccer's 50th Anniversary Gala, 9/9/2016.
2016
In 2001, Sounders ownership envisioned construction of a suburban soccer-specific stadium with a surrounding youth complex. Among the locations considered were Fife and Kent. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
2001
Michelle Akers (10) and the U.S. National Team at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. (Courtesy U.S. Soccer)
1996
Seattle University's first national championship team, the 1997 Chieftains.
1997