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.
Dave Berto and Zane Higgins each contribute a goal and assist to pace the Spokane Shadow to a 3-1 win over Bellingham at Joe Albi Stadium, running their record to 7-0-0 to start the PDL season. The Shadow returned home at 2 a.m. on game day after returning from a 2-1 win at Yakima.
John Best, the first coach and later general manager of the original Seattle Sounders dies while traveling in Ireland. He was 74. Best succumbs to a lung infection after more than two decades of battling kidney disease. He had been visiting family. Best was the face of the Sounders in their formative years, serving as head coach from 1974-76. He returned in 1982 as GM. In 1983 he co-founded the Tacoma Stars, serving as president and director for the MISL club's first five seasons. The Sounders observe a moment of silence and wear black armbands for their home match vs. Vancouver on Oct. 10. Best was the Whitecaps GM during their NASL championship season of 1979.
Washington State Legends of Soccer launches its free online museum. Thanks to DCG One and donations from boards members and wider community, WA Legends can now share an unabridged, evolving history of the sport in Washington. It begins with test, images and in some cases video from 14 past years. However, the objective will be to eventually cover the game to its very roots, dating to the late 19th century.
Seattle Cozars prove to be third time unlucky, allowing a late equalizer and then succumbing to Fairfax Wildfire (Va.) in the U.S. Women's Amateur Cup, 3-1 in overtime in St. Louis. Lisa Boyer put Seattle in front at 28'. Jennifer Baughman ties it with seven minutes to go. Marcia McDermott gets the go-ahead goal in the first extra period and a late own goal seals it. The game features 11 U.S. National Team players. It's their third straight championship game loss. Cozars avenged their 1985 defeat by beating Michelob Ladies the day prior in a semifinal, 5-4, in overtime. Denise Boyer gets the winner to complete her hat trick. Jeanne Oak scores two goals.
Just six days after being the winning coach in the MISL All-Star Game in Tacoma, Alan Hinton is fired as coach of the Stars. He is replaced with Jimmy McAlister, 31. Tacoma, reportedly rife with dissension in the locker room, is just 17-18 following a runner-up finish last season. The Stars are coming off two wins in three days, including just their third road win at Wichita. Hinton was 117-79, including playoffs. The next night the Stars beat L.A. in McAlister's coaching debut, 5-3.
South Lakes Soccer Association clear and level land just east of Lake Geneva (park just south of Highway 18), with heavy work handled by battalion of Navy Corps of Engineers – all without a permit to create soccer fields on the vacant, King County-owned 5-acre lot. A stop work order is issued but no charges are filed. Says a county representative: “The soccer people had good intentions. They felt they were benefiting the park by putting in the field. Sure, it would’ve gone slower if they worked hand in hand with us. But it would’ve been done properly.”