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.
Raney, FC Seattle Blast Portland
July 3, 1985

Bruce Raney produces FC Seattle’s first-ever hat trick and it propels the visitors to a 6-1 road rout of FC Portland in the inaugural Western Soccer Alliance game at Civic Stadium. After leaking an early goal, Brian Schmetzer quickly replies and Raney scores twice before intermission, then completes the scoring in the 88th minute.

South Kitsap Shocks Pasco
May 30, 2009

South Kitsap becomes the first Kitsap County squad to capture a boys’ soccer championship, with the Wolves toppling previously undefeated Pasco, 2-1, in Lakewood. The Bulldogs entered the match with a 19-0-0 record. South Kitsap, the No. 3 finisher in the Narrows League, played the role of underdog with 14-3-1 record. Pasco had outscored it postseason foes by 11-2 but the Wolves strike in the 32nd minute through Brent Ricigliano, and Dixon Hammer's header make it 2-nil at 56'. Richard Renteria cuts the deficit four minutes later.

Seattle U Wins Third Men's WAC Title
November 12, 2017

No. 23 Seattle University punches its ticket to the NCAA tournament by claiming the WAC automatic berth with a 2-1 win over San Jose State in the conference final at Las Vegas. Nathan Aune (35') and Alex Roldan (75') supply the offense for the Redhawks, who had been runner-up to Air Force during the regular season. It's the third tournament berth for SU since 2013.

Catfish Rules Five-a-Side
April 30, 1950

Catfish Five win the grand prize of $125 in savings bonds for the 7th annual Five-a-Side tournament at West Seattle Stadium. The Catfish defeat Acme Tyee, 4-1, in the final 15-minute game. Acme received a consolation prize of sport coats. They had advanced from the semifinals on the corner kick tiebreaker after tying Black Diamond. Proceeds benefit youth soccer programs.

Chaos at Lower Woodland
February 14, 1965

A chaotic match between Seattle Hungarians and Continental is abandoned after 52 minutes when the latter team abruptly leaves the Lower Woodland pitch. The first half is marred by vicious tackling and repeated protesting of officials' calls. A fight results in ejections for both sides. Steve Furjesi beats an offside trap to put the Magyars ahead, and when Tommy Major converts a penalty, there are more protestations, resulting in a second Continental and their manager to be sent off. The whole team followed.

Spokane's Season Resurrected in Replay
July 27, 1997

Some 15 hours after believing their season had ended, the Spokane Shadow are revived by virtue of a shootout replay against Bellingham. Nearly 500 fans watch the resumption of the shootout at high noon at Joe Albi Stadium. It lasts less than 10 minutes. As ordered by the USISL commissioner, it re-starts in tie sixth-round with the Shadow and Orcas tied 2-2 following a 4-4 regulation draw in the division semifinals. Joe Ascolese blasts through the legs of Bellingham keeper Travers Enslow, and then Spokane's Pete van de Ven foils Scot Swanson. The Shadow had rallied from 4-1 down the night before behind two Dave Berto goals. They will return to Albi six hours after the shootout to play Yakima for the division crown.

Western Washington vs. Pacific Lutheran women's action. (Courtesy Western Washington archives)
1982
A rendering looking south of the future Sounders at Longacres complex in Renton, Wa. (Courtesy Sounders FC)
2022
FC Seattle Storm displays its newly-won Western Soccer Alliance trophy after smashing San Jose, 5-0. (Joanie Komura photo)
1988
Skyline is presented the 2008 WIAA girls' 4A championship trophy, its first. (Courtesy Skyline High School)
2008
Following stints with the Sounders and Tacoma Tides, Roy Sinclair was named head coach of Bellevue Community College. (Courtesy Seattle Times)
1976
With the opening of Interbay Stadium, Seattle Pacific has a permanent home for the first time in 29 years. (Joanie Komura photo)
1997
1970
Sounders FC owner Drew Carey amongst the supporters and fans for the inaugural March to the Match. (Sounders FC photo)
2009
2015
Interbay Field was opened as Seattle's first dedicated soccer venue, although soon other user groups and poor drainage took their toll. (Courtesy Seattle Times)
1966