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.
Sounders 2 seems to be on their way to solving their woes when the roof collapses at Orange County. Andy Craven gives the visitors a 2-nil lead in the second half, but the Blues score five times in the final half-hour of a 5-2 USL win. Four goals come after Jordan Schweitzer is sent off at 62'. Seattle is now off to a 1-7-4 start.
Buchan Bakers win their first state league championship with a 3-2 extra time victory over Norselander Vikings at Lower Woodland Park. Jim McGilloway gets the winner. Twice the Bakers were forced to pull a goal back. Hewitt McCloskey canceled out Tommy Grieve’s opener and Bill Phillips sent the game into extra time after Erling Hansen put the Vikings in front again.
Mexico's El Tri pulls 50,305 from across the region for a festive 1-1 friendly with Ecuador at Qwest Field. With plentiful sunshine and constant din of vuvuzelas, Mexico dominates (14-2 in shots), yet only can count a 7' goal from Jorge Torres Nilo. Ecuado equalizes before halftime through Michael Arroyo. Giovani Dos Santos and Aldo De Nigris have good looks for El Tri in the final 10 minutes, but each shoot over the crossbar.
Yakima's Summer Yates converts a second-half penalty kick which proves to be the winner for the Orlando Pride in a 3-2 road win over Washington. It's the second straight game-winner for Yates during the unbeaten (3-0-3) Pride's eventual record-setting eight-match win streak. She also scored in a 1-0 home win over San Diego on April 19.
Walla Walla becomes the first NWAACC women's champion to complete a season unscathed, defeating defending champion Columbia Basin, 1-0, in overtime at Starfire Sports Stadium. The Warriors finish 18-0-0 when Tahlia O'Loughlin scores a golden goal in the 94th minute.
A U.S. professional women’s league, the National Soccer Alliance, plans to begin play in 1998 in eight markets, including Seattle. Plans call for the yet-to-be-named team to play home games at Husky Soccer Stadium, which will be boosted to 4,000 capacity with 1,500 additional bleachers. Other cities awarded franchises were San Francisco/San Jose, Boston, Raleigh, N.C., Dallas, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Former Gov. Booth Gardner is the NSA commissioner, and Shoreline’s Michelle Akers has committed to play. Player salaries are projected to range from $15,000-$30,000.