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.
Nearly a thousand friends, family and some notable members of the American soccer community gather to pay tribute to the late Sigi Schmid American Martyrs Catholic Church in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Schmid, who guided Sounders FC to five major trophies and seven playoff berths in seven-plus seasons, died Dec. 25, 2018 at age 65. In Seattle, he became the all-time winningest coach in MLS history and also guided UCLA to its first NCAA championship. His service fittingly brought out a who's who of American soccer, including three former US national team managers and several fellow Hall of Famers. Several of his Seattle friends attended, including Gary Wright, one of the eulogists. Hes remembered as a Hall of Fame coach, said Wright, another close friend. But he should be remembered as a Hall of Fame person. A week before, MLS named the annual Coach of the Year award in honor of Schmid.
Kenny Cooper scores the decisive goal in the 88th minute as Seattle rallies past FC Dallas, 2-1, for the fifth win in a row, tying a club record. Lamar Neagle, on his 27th birthday, ties it in the 62nd minute. Cooper, who replaced Neagle in the 86th minute, finishes a cross from Obafemi Martins for the Sounders' seventh goal scored in the last 15 minutes.
In a tense World Cup final, Megan Rapinoe breaks open a scoreless stalemate and the United States goes on to defeat the Netherlands, 2-0, for its second straight championship and fourth overall before 57,900 in Lyon. Rapinoe scores her sixth goal of the tournament and thanks to three assists and playing fewer minutes finishes as the Golden Boot winner over Alex Morgan. Replays confirm Dutch defender Stefanie van der Gragt's high challenge on striker Morgan, and Rapinoe converts the penalty kick in the 61st minute for her 50th international goal. It's the first penalty scored in a FIFA Women's World Cup final. Rose Lavelle all but seals the victory eight minutes later.
Down 2-0 to Portland at home and winless in the first three games, Sounders coach Jimmy Gabriel inserts himself into the game in the second half, sparking a three-goal fight back. Paul Crossley ties it and David Butler scores twice, netting the winner in the 86th minute. It is Seattle's first comeback for a regulation win after trailing by two goals.
Washington State's perfect start continues as the 14th-ranked Cougars open Pac-12 play with a 1-0 win at No. 8 UCLA. A strike in the 61st minute by junior Morgan Weaver is the difference. Rachel Thompson's makes a career-best nine saves. WSU is off to its best-ever start at 8-0-0 while also breaking the record for consecutive wins. The Cougs eventually get to 10-0-0.
Tacoma's Jeff Durgan, 21, scores in his U.S. National Team debut, a 2-0 road victory over Haiti. The big central defender left the Cosmos after three seasons to serve as captain for the newest NASL club, Team America, in Washington, D.C.