Nick Perera of the Tacoma Stars is voted the Gold Ball after the United States reclaims the Concacaf Beach Soccer championship in Nassau, Bahamas. Perera scores in the 5-0 victory over Mexico in the final. He had back-to-back hat tricks during the group stage and finishes the tournament with nine goals. The U.S. wins its first regional title since 2013.

Getting another big-time performance from Clint Dempsey, Seattle turns the tables on Portland with a 3-1 home victory before 53,302. The Sounders, who during their doldrums fell to the Timbers five weeks earlier by the same score, grab all their goals in the final half-hour. After Cristian Roldan is knocked down in the box, Dempsey converts the 61' penalty. He scores again at 80', and Roldan makes it 3-nil at 83'. Now just two points out of a playoff spot, it's Seattle's third straight win under interim coach Brian Schmetzer.

Freddie Ljungberg scores in his first start and rookie Steve Zakuani gets his first professional goal as the Sounders remain perfect, winning their road opener, 2-0, at Toronto. Ljungberg, making his first start in place of Fredy Montero, works a 1-2 with Nate Jaqua on a counterattack for the game's first goal in the 15th minute. Just before halftime, Zakuani converts the rebound of a Jaqua shot to silence the capacity crowd of 20,658. Seattle becomes the first MLS expansion team to open with three straight wins. Afterwards, Jingle Bells makes its MLS singing debut in the BMO Field locker room.

In a state 4A boys' final between two schools separated by just over a mile, Eastlake defeats its Sammamish neighbor Skyline, 2-0, at Lakewood. The Wolves get second-half goals from Brandon McComb and Sean Klauer for their third victory over the Spartans. It's their third title but first since repeating in 1997. Klauer finds McComb for a short chip at 46' and then hammers home a rebound at 58'.

After moving the Women's World Cup from China to the United States because of the SARS virus earlier in the year, organizers bypass Seattle and select Portland's PGE Park as one of six venues. The tournament begins Sept. 20. Seattle's bid included both Seahawks Stadium and Safeco Field. In all, Portland hosts three doubleheaders, including group stage games, quarterfinals and both semifinals.

Peter LaBarge scores three second-half goals in Western Washington's comeback, 5-4 overtime win over Simon Fraser. The Vikings trail 4-1 at halftime. LaBarge's hat trick forces extra time, and Dennis Lapchis nets the winner.