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.
Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle enter into discussions with One Roof Partnership to redevelop aging Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center. One Roof – comprised of the One Roof Foundation, Seattle Kraken and Oak View Group – proposes to build a new $120 million, 8,000-10,000-person capacity stadium to host student athletics, community events, arts and culture. SPS will continue to own the facility and maintain priority use. The goal is to break ground by the end of 2024 and open by May or June of 2026. The stadium’s rich history and Memorial Wall will be preserved.
Michael Fucito's first professional goal comes deep in stoppage time to deliver a 1-0 win over Kansas City. Fucito, who didn't see action in 2009, scores just 22 minutes into his second Sounders stint. A quickly-taken throw by Brad Evans finds Fucito behind the defense and 1-on-1 with Wizards keeper Jimmy Nielsen, who had not previously allowed a goal. He lashes it past Nielsen in the 92nd minute. The visitors nearly equalize immediately, but Chance Myers is denied by Kasey Keller. Fucito's goal, seven minutes after entering match, begins a series of late winners vs. Kansas City.
Central Washington adds the finishing touches to a perfect men's club campaign by beating Gonzaga, 3-1, to clinch its second Northwest Intercollegiate Soccer League championship in three years. Brian Jones, Bobby Storino and Bernie Holland get goals for the Wildcats, who finish the year at 14-0-0.
Steve McCrath, a Seattle native and former Seattle Pacific player, guides Miami's Barry University to the NCAA Division II men's championship, 2-1 over West Chester in frigid Pittsburgh. It's the first national title for the Buccaneers, who score their two goals six minutes apart in the second half. In his third season, McCrath had taken Barry to the 2000 final, which the Bucs lost in four overtimes. Barry finishes with 16 wins, more than tripling the total from 5-6-2 in 2017.
Braudilio Rodrigues and the Tacoma Defiance jump on top of Houston in the first 20 minutes and go on to beat the Dynamo 2 in the MLS NEXT Pro quarterfinals, 4-3, at Starfire Stadium. Blake Bowen puts Tacoma on top in the third minute, then assists Rodrigues's goals at 13' and 19'. Dylan Teves adds another for a 4-1 lead in the 53rd minute before the visitors make a late comeback attempt.
What hope the Seattle Reign held out for returning to the playoffs is extinguished with two matches still to go. A 3-0 loss marred by a red card at Utah is the fifth in a row, eliminating Seattle from playoff contention. Those losses come without stalwarts Jessica Fishlock (injured) and Sofia Huerta (loan) and without scoring a goal. In addition, Claudia Dickey, Quinn, Lauren Barnes and Olvia Van der Jagt have missed extended stretches.