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.
In just its third year, Eastlake emerges as undefeated and state 3A champion following the Wolves' 2-1 victory over Mead at Puyallup. Michael Casale puts away a penalty kick in the 65th minute for the game-winner. Chris Farnsworth had given Eastlake just before halftime. Mark Lupton's free kick in the 62nd minute tied it. Eastlake (19-0-1) goes on to finish 6th nationally and Mead 8th in the NSCAA poll.
Raul Ruidiaz's second-leg opener crushes any New York City FC aggregate comeback hopes, and the Sounders' 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena sends them through to the CONCACAF Champions League finals. Ruidiaz scores in the 28th minute, on the end of a counterattack beginning with a Jackson Ragen long ball. Nouhou's cross is stroked home from 11 yards. Seattle, winners 4-1 on aggregate, is the fifth MLS team to reach a final.
Seattle area boys varsity high school play begins with four games at Memorial Stadium. Jeff Martin of Ballard notches the historic first goal, but Rainier Beach rallies to win the inaugural contest, 3-1. Other scores on a date dubbed Demonstrate for Soccer Day are Franklin 2:1 Roosevelt Shorecrest 1:0 Cleveland and Shoreline 1:0 West Seattle.
Pacific Lutheran become the state’s first women’s collegiate champions, taking the NAIA title, 2-0, over Hardin-Simmons, in windy Abilene, Texas. Laura Dutt and Sonya Brandt score in the second half for the Lutes – Brandt scoring her record 127th career goal and 32nd of the season. Gail Stenzel earns her 15th shutout and 42nd for her career. Brandt is named the tournament’s most outstanding player, and Colleen Hacker is voted coach of the year.
Clint Dempsey delivers a brace and assist – all in the first 20 minutes – and the Sounders clinch a playoff berth for the seventh straight year with a 3-1 Decision Day home win over Real Salt Lake. A crowd of 55,435 fans at CenturyLink Field breaks the MLS season attendance record again, with an average of 44,245. Dempsey scores in the fifth and 20th minutes, with Marco Pappa striking in the 10th.
For the first time in 37 seasons of varsity play, Washington reaches the men's No. 1 ranking in the NSCAA coaches' poll. Dean Wurzberger's Huskies, who moved up from No. 2, are 5-0-0 and coming off a 2-0 win over No. 8 Rutgers in Portland.