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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Seattle's Powers is National Rec Coach of the Year
January 9, 2025

Tom Powers of Seattle's Woodland Soccer Club is named 2024 U.S. Youth Soccer Recreational Boys Coach of the Year in Chicago. Powers, who has volunteered as coach of his son's team for eight years, is a self-proclaimed "fitness and attitude" coach. His coaching style was born from his experiences of working in both education and mental health.

FC Seattle Opts Out of APSL Season
January 17, 1991

FC Seattle Storm joins a growing list of teams opting out of playing the 1991 APSL season. More than half of the 11 teams that made up the APSL's Western Soccer League Conference last year are expected to join Seattle on the sidelines. Portland, San Diego, New Mexico, California and Los Angeles are already out, and Santa Barbara is is doubtful. It leaves any survivors in a smaller league with increased travel costs. Coaching director Clive Charles and coach Stuart Lee remain on the payroll and will head up the Storm's summer camp and academy. Eight players are under contract, including APSL scoring champ Chance Fry.

Akers, Keller, Durgan Make All-Century
December 27, 1999

Sports Illustrated names U.S. national team stars Michelle Akers, Kasey Keller and Jeff Durgan to its all-century list of Washington sports personalities. Shoreline's Akers is listed ninth, Olympia's Keller 28th and Tacoma's Durgan 46th. No other state has more than two soccer representatives, and there are 11 total nationwide. Spokane's John Stockton, the NBA career leader in assists and steals, tops the state list.

Shulenberger Departs WSU After 11 Seasons
December 1, 2025

Todd Shulenberger, the winningest and longest tenured coach of Washington State, leaves Pullman after 11 seasons for Ole Miss. Shulenberg guided the Cougars to their first College Cup appearance in 2019 and was 113-67-34 overall. In all, WSU made five trips to the NCAA Tournament, including three straight from 2017-19 but but none in the last four seasons. The Cougs were affiliate members of the West Coast Conference the past two seasons, taking fourth and seventh, respectively.

O'Brien Feat: Hat Trick by Penalty
September 1, 2001

It's a strange and rare feat. Leighton O'Brien scores all three Sounders goals via penalty kicks as Seattle also overcomes two ejections to defeat El Paso, 3-2, on the road. Viet Nguyen is sent off after only six minutes, and seconds later coach Bernie James follows for protesting. O'Brien's penalties are scored in the 59th, 70th and 80th minutes. The Patriots also score from the spot in the 89th minute.

Zags Go Overtime to Beat Pilots
October 15, 2006

Gonzaga completes a 48-hour sweep of Portland, 2-1, when Tye Perdido scores in the ninth minute of overtime in Spokane. George Josten's WCC-leading eighth goal of the season in the 84th minute brings the Bulldogs level. John Reha pierces the Pilots defense before passing to Perdido to score from 15 yards. Reha assisted on both goals in a 2-1 win at Portland two days earlier. The Zags are unbeaten in four (3-0-1) meetings with UP.

Fredy Montero's goal put Sounders FC ahead of Chicago in the 78th minute of the 2011 U.S. Open Cup final. (Sounders FC photo)
2011
Olsen's United and Newport Striders captains lift the Sir Thomas Lipton trophy prior to their state cup match.
1971
1999
Western Washington celebrates Emily Webster's go-ahead goal in the 2016 NCAA Division II championship game.
2016
Scene from a Sounders 1998 home match vs. San Diego.
1998
(Frank MacDonald Collection)
1995
Bernie James (20) starred for the Edmonton Drillers, winners of the 1981 NASL indoor championship. (Courtesy NASL Jerseys).
1981
Tacoma and NASL Sounders legends Jeff Stock, left, and Mark Peterson raise their golden scarves prior to the first MLS league match vs. Portland. (Sounders FC photo)
2011
Action from the 1984 NCAA Division II championship game between host Seattle Pacific and Florida International. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific University)
1984
1970