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.
FC Kansas City and onetime Reign roster member Amy Rodriguez deny Seattle the NWSL championship, 2-1, before a sold-out Starfire. Rodriguez, who had missed the entire 2013 season then been traded to FCKC, scores midway through the first half and adds a crucial second goal in the 56th. Both are set-up by MVP Lauren Holiday. Megan Rapinoe halves the deficit in the 87th minute. Seattle finishes with a 14-5 shot advantage, but Nicole Barnhart makes seven saves. The Bumbershoot arts festival had bumped the Reign out of Memorial Stadium for the final.
Laura Harvey, architect of OL Reign's first two NWSL Shield winners, is coming home. Harvey is returning as head coach, replacing the departed Farid Benstiti. She led the Reign for their first five seasons, earning NWSL Coach of the Year honors in 2014 and 2015. She left after 2018, to coach the Utah Royals for one season. Harvey will join the team following the conclusion of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where she is serving as an assistant coach for the USWNT. Interim head coach Sam Laity will continue to lead the team for its next four matches.
Central Washington begins women’s intercollegiate play just two weeks after players report to campus by hosting Whitman in Ellensburg. The Missionaries win, 4-1, and Jenny Kremer scores the Wildcats’ first varsity goal. The program’s historic first win comes Oct. 9 against Seattle University, 2-0.
For the first time in 38 years the original U.S. Women's National Team is reunited and honored at halftime of the USL W League match in Asheville, N.C. Seven members of the 1985 team coached by Seattle's Mike Ryan were from Washington. Among those attending are Michelle Akers and Lori Henry, who would go on to win the first World Cup in 1991. Asheville City co-owner Stacey Enos was also a member of that team. Enos led the reunion organizing effort.
Kasey Keller looms large as the United State achieves one of its great upsets, 1-0, over world champion Brazil, in a Gold Cup semifinal at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Former Tacoma Stars all-star Preki scores the game's only goal for the Americans' first win over Brazil in 68 years. Keller, arriving from England less than 48 hours earlier, makes 10 saves, some bordering on the incredible. The best comes in the 42nd minute, robbing Romario at point-blank range. The Brazilian legend then shakes Keller's hand. Preki's goal comes off his magical left from from 22 yards in the 65th minute.
Danny Musovski notches his first MLS hat trick and newly-signed teen Snyder Brunell scores in his first start in Seattle's 5-2 home win over Sporting Kansas City. It's Musovski's third multi-goal game and his third goal, a penalty kick, boosts his season total to 15 in all competitions. Kirkland native Brunell, 18, signed July 29 after starring in midfield for Tacoma Defiance. His senior debut came July 31 vs. Cruz Azul.