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.
State Cups Decided in Snow
February 29, 1976

A late-winter storm dumps snow on Burien's Highline Stadium turf for the final two cup finals of the Washington State Junior Soccer Association championships. Still, some 2,500 family and fans see the tournament's final match, with U19 Newport Hill Huskies winning a seventh straight boys' title on penalties, 3-3 (6-5), over Lake Hills Sammamish. Federal Way teams, led by the U13 boys Totem Tornado's fourth cup in a row, win five of the 20 finals.

Gorog Among MLS Officials from WA
May 19, 1996

Frank Gorog, one of three Washingtonians among MLS officials in the league's inaugural year, referees his first match at the Rose Bowl. Gorog handles the LA Galaxy-Kansas City Wizards game. Oscar Myre and Mohammed Zarabbi-Kashani are the other MLS officials from Washington.

Local Produce
May 11, 1983

Sounders play six Americans, including five local products–Jeff Stock, Mark Peterson, Brian Schmetzer, Chance Fry, Bill Crook–in home loss to the Cosmos. Roster also featured homegrown Geoff Wall and Tim Bartro.

Seattle Among Finalists for 2026 Venues
March 15, 2018

Seattle is included in the list of 23 finalist cities chosen as potential hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Seventeen of the venues are in the United States, with the others in Canada and Mexico. The Sounders led MLS in overall attendance their first eight years of operation before falling to No. 2 behind Atlanta last season. Seattle did not rank among the finalist for the 1994 World Cup.

Hat Trick Has Few Witnesses
April 11, 1991

Gary Heale collects a hat trick as the Tacoma Stars extend their season by squaring their first-round, best-of-three MISL playoff series with St. Louis with a 4-3 overtime home win. Only 2,760 come the Tacoma Dome, making it the club's smallest postseason attendance. Heale scores the Stars' final three goals, including the winner 93 seconds into overtime. The Storm, featuring former Tacoma standout Preki and Brian Schmetzer, win the series decider, 9-2, two days later in St. Louis.

Lavelle Lands with OL Reign
May 17, 2021

Nine months after trading for her NWSL rights, OL Reign announces that U.S. international midfielder Rose Lavelle is coming to Tacoma. Lavelle becomes a USWNT allocated player and is expected to be available for selection within a couple weeks. Her rights were acquired August 16, 2020, from Washington. She has been with Manchester City during the 2020/21 European season.

Hope Solo played her 202nd and final match for the USWNT in a quarterfinal vs Sweden at the 2016 Olympic Games. Sweden advanced on penalties following a 1-1 draw, and Solo's postmatch comments were critical of her opponent's defensive tactics. U.S. Soccer responded with a six-month suspension. (Courtesy Brad Smith / ISI Photos)
2016
Both are talented, but which is John Legend and which is Sounders FC defender James Riley? (Sounders FC photo)
2009
Seattle's Cleveland and Rainier Beach high schools played a Metro League schedule from January through early March at Memorial Stadium. Wintery weather eventually pushed the boys' prep season into spring.
1972
(Courtesy Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
1984
Terry White controls possession for Seattle Pacific at Memorial Stadium. (Seattle Pacific archives)
1976
Seattle Pacific's Amanda Johnson scored twice in the the Falcons' 3-1 NCAA semifinal win over Metro State in Tampa. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific Athletics)
2008
Trace 'socguards' came into vogue in 1975.
1975
Melanie Jackson is one of the original Washington women's varsity members.
1991
FC Seattle 1985 team photo. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
1985
1951