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.
Everett gets a USISL Pro Division franchise, the 60-team, five- division third tier of the U.S pyramid. Bill Hurme, former director for the Sounders, buys the team, named BigFoot, and hires Pat Henderson as coach. Vija Hurme will serve as GM and the team will play at Memorial Stadium.
Kasey Keller registers his 38th international victory as the United States defeats Grenada, 3-0, in a World Cup qualifying match at Columbus. Keller surpasses Tony Meola for the all-time lead among U.S. goalkeepers. The USMNT dominates, finishes with advantages of 34-6 in shots and 17-1 in corner kicks.
Led by Ben Erickson and Todd Haley goals, Mount Rainier runs its unbeaten streak to 35 games by winning the state boys' AA title, 3-0, over Spokane’s West Valley at Memorial Stadium. The Rams (19-0-1) go on top in the third minute through Nathan Calvin. Erickson (20') doubles it and Haley seals the successful repeat with a penalty kick (50'). Mount Rainier, playing with 10, was forced to rally for the tying goal and surviving a shootout in the semifinal with Mark Morris. Previously unbeaten West Valley finishes 18-1-1.
Seattle's epic tailspin in the wake of injuries and suspension continues with further calamity in a 3-1 road loss at LA Galaxy. Chad Barrett no sooner scores after 50 seconds than the Sounders forward strains his hamstring while celebrating. It's a club-record fifth straight league loss, the Rave Green are 1-9-1 dating to an Open Cup loss to Portland. An injured Obafemi Martins has not played since that night, and Clint Dempsey, through suspension and injury, has appeared just once. Osvaldo Alonso, a third DP, also misses the LA game. The Sounders drop to 10-12-2, already matching the club record for losses in a season, with 10 games left.
Trouncing cellar-dweller United Natives, 7-2, Norselander Vikings (11-1-1) finishes on top of the first-half table to win the state leagues' Roosevelt Trophy. Seattle Hungarians (11-3-0) finish just one point behind. Gudolph Kjairhem gets a hat trick for the Vikings.
Rookie central defender Jackson Ragen scores the opener and helps anchor Tacoma's defense to a shutout win over Orange County in Irvine, Ca. Sam Adeniran and Marlo Vargas also tally for the Defiance, winners of three straight and now 7-4-6 and up to second place in the USL Pacific Division. Adeniran has three goals in the three wins, and Tacoma is undefeated over eight games (4-0-4), by far the best in the franchise's history.