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.
Seattle Pacific Clinches PacWest
October 19, 2000

Erik Skipper's header snaps a 1-1 tie with 17 minutes to go and Seattle Pacific pulls away to beat Seattle University, 4-1, in a downpour at Interbay to clinch the Pacific West Conference championship. The Falcons proceed to finish the regular season on a 12-game unbeaten (11-0-1) run to reach the NCAA tournament for a Division II record 28th time in 29 years.

Contentious Seattle-Carbonado Match
January 18, 1919

Four of Black Diamond’s top players play for Carbonado in a 4-3 win over Seattle United in Tacoma, prompting a protest. Clarke, playing in goal, punches the referee in the jaw after a penalty was called. The match ends with spectators on the pitch. League president Howard McPherrin suspends Clarke for the remainder of the season.

Yakima Wins First Division Title
August 2, 1998

The Yakima Reds win their first USISL PDL divisional title by beating Okanagan, 4-1, at Spokane. Luiz Machado scores two goals and adds an assist. The Reds defeated the Seattle BigFoot, 1-0, while playoff host and regular season winner Spokane Shadow was upset by Okanagan, 2-1, in the Northwest semifinals.

Only Win for SeaTac Comes by Forfeit
August 23, 1970

SeaTac SC manages its first win in the final game of the season, yet there is little satisfaction. They are awarded a forfeit when Vancouver Cougars arrive 1 hour 40 minutes late at Tacoma's Baker Stadium. All 500 fans are given refunds and players attempt to entertain them with a football field-goal kicking exhibition. After the Cougars arrive, they win a non-counting exhibition, 4-1. SeaTac finishes a distant fourth in the WCSL at 1-13-1.

Vikings Deny Bakers in Hoquiam
April 10, 1955

Norselander Vikings deny Buchan a third major prize by beating the Bakers, 3-1, for the Pacific Coast Coal Trophy, emblematic of state soccer championship. Joe Njoku-Obi scores twice in the first half. The game, played before a ‘fine crowd’ at Olympic Stadium in Hoquiam, raises $500 for Grays Harbor Society of Crippled Children.

Messi, Argentina Stop in Seattle
June 14, 2016

Five-time FIFA world player of the year Lionel Messi and Argentina pull 47,753 to Seattle's CenturyLink Field for a Copa America Centenario group stage match with Bolivia. Messi, coming back from a back injury, plays only the second half in the 3-0 win. The crowd greets him with chants of "Messi, Messi, Messi," and he nearly scores on a curling 25-yard free kick that slides just wide. It's Messi's first Seattle appearance since accompanying Barcelona for a Sounders friendly in 2009.

Eddie Henderson of Washington celebrates scoring at Husky Stadium.
1987
Rather than Rave Green, CenturyLink Field was awash in red, white and blue for Seattle's hosting of the first FIFA World Cup Qualifier in 37 years. Capacity was capped at just over 40,000 for USA vs Panama due to a Mariners game next door. (Courtesy John Dorton / ISI Photos)
2013
1961
To mark 50 years since Sounders first played, the original 1974 team – remembered for their entertaining style and involvement with the community – was the first inductee to the Eternal Circle of Legends. (Sounders FC/Jane Gershsovich)
2024
Justin Dhillon scored 12 goals to pace Tacoma Defiance in 2019. Among those goals was the fastest in USL history, coming just 9.17 seconds into a 1-1 home draw with Reno.(Courtesy Tacoma Defiance)
2019
Michelle Akers (center) joins USISL president Francisco Marcos for the announcement of the new W-1 League. Akers commits to playing for the Tampa Bay Extreme. (Courtesy Soccer America)
1998
Sounders defender Jeff Stock is poised to tackle vs. Manchester United. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
1982
1992
A top side in the state first division, a young Triumph Continental club flew to Honolulu for the Rainbow Invitational in March, taking second to San Jose, 1-0, in the final.
1972
Tacoma's Jeff Durgan left the Cosmos for Team America and debuted for the USMNT in 1983.
1983