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.
Tacoma Heidelberg Prevails in NCC Marathon
February 13, 1972

In a marathon match at Highline Stadium, Tacoma Heidelberg ousts shorthanded Seattle Heidelberg in the second round of the National Challenge Cup. Roger Goldingay scores five goals for Seattle, who lose Heinz Ritter to a red card for striking referee Ben Patterson. It's 2-2 after regulation,4-4 after the first overtime and 6-6 after a second extra period. In penalties Allen Robinson converts the decisive shot (3-2) and Tacoma advances to face Olympia Vikings, who defeat Rainer Brewing in the other Northwest semifinal.

Sounders, Seahawks Separate Operations
April 30, 2014

Sounders FC and the Seahawks announce their business operations will become independent beginning April 30. The teams have shared business operations since Sounders FC was admitted to Major League Soccer in 2007. The club’s new headquarters will be in Pioneer Square, just north of CenturyLink Field.

Keller Joins Boise USL Ownership
July 29, 2025

Legendary goalkeeper Kasey Keller joins the ownership group of USL League One's Athletic Club Boise, set to debut in 2026. Keller owned a second home in Idaho since 2005.

Preki Hold Out Ends with New Deal
October 5, 1989

Preki's three-week hold out from Tacoma Stars preseason training ends with an agreement on a new deal. The reigning MVP, Preki was demanding the MISL maximum $90,000 while the Stars offered $83,000. The salary is for eight months, allowing Preki to pursue other opportunities during the offseason. The previous season he was paid $78,000 while the club paid $12,000 to his former Portuguese team as part of a buyout. The agreement comes three weeks before Tacoma begins the regular season.

MLS, A-League Play Postponed
September 12, 2001

Joining most all sports leagues following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announces that all remaining regular season matches have been canceled and will not be rescheduled. MLS will go ahead with the playoffs, with the first round to begin Sept. 20. USL A-League playoffs are delayed a week, until Sept. 19. The Seattle Sounders' season ended Sept. 8 without qualifying for the playoffs. The entire airspaces of the United States and Canada were closed to civilian air traffic by the FAA on Sept. 11 and were not allowed to resume until Sept. 13. The backlog of delayed passengers took several days to clear.

Kotoles Brace Brings Trophy to Magyars
March 22, 1959

A brace from Karmen Koteles fuels the Hungarians' 4-1 win over E&E Meats (6-2-0) and secures the Puget Sound Navigation trophy for the second half. E&E had only allowed six goals beforehand. Buchan (5-0-3) takes second.The Magyars (7-0-1/56-11 GD) will face the Vikings (5-2-1), first-half victors, in the state league final.

Washington State League first and third divisions.
1975
Vikings keeper Perry Stangvik was beaten here, but he always had another sport to fall back upon. Stangvik, who starred at Seattle Pacific College from 1949-52, then signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. (Courtesy Seattle Times)
1953
Washington State Legends of Soccer screens Bobby Moore documentary 'Bo66y' at The NINETY, 10/21/2016.
2016
Tommy Hutchison of Seattle and Vancouver's Bob Lenarduzzi go shoulder to shoulder. (Courtesy NASL Jerseys)
1980
In 2017 Roosevelt became the first Seattle public high school to win a state 3A or 4A title since 1985. (Courtesy WIAA)
2017
Standing water resulting from torrential rains resulted in an abandoned Washington-California match on Oct. 28, 2021. The referee ruled in the 61st minute that the field was unplayable. (Courtesy University of Washington Athletics)
2021
1977
FIFA inspectors are guided at Lumen Field, Seattle's proposed site for 2026 World Cup matches (Courtesy Sounders FC)
2021
Pacific Lutheran successfully repeated as NAIA champions in 1989. (Courtesy Stacy Waterworth)
1989
Jordan Morris celebrates after his extra time winner lifts the Sounders over defending champion LAFC and into the MLS Cup semifinals. (Sounders FC/Mike Fiechtner)
2024