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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Peninsula Teams Ranked 1-2 in Final Polls
November 26, 2024

Peninsula College of Port Angeles is ranked No. 1 in the final USC Division II women's community college poll, and the men are No. 2. Both teams won NWAC championships. The women finished the season with a perfect 15-0-0 record, outscoring their opponents 74-4. The Pirates' men were 15-1-2. Walla Walla is No. 5, Columbia Basin No. 7 and Skagit Valley No. 17 in the final men's rankings.

Hungarians Ousted in San Francisco
January 31, 1965

Seattle Hungarians score first but cannot hold on in San Francisco, losing a National Challenge Cup regional semifinal to Greek American AC, 2-1, at Balboa Park. The visitors go in front when John Phelps chips the keeper in the fourth minute. But the Greek Americans dominate the second half, tying and then winning on Jim Frame's drive from 15 yards in the 50th minute.

Sekyra Leaves SPU After 12 Strong Seasons
January 12, 2015

After sculpting Seattle Pacific into a Division II women's national power, coach Chuck Sekyra resigns after 12 seasons as coach. Sekyra guided the Falcons to the 2008 NCAA championship in just the program's eighth season. His teams went 209-34-20, earned 12 consecutive NCAA berths (including trips to the semifinals or final) and won a combined nine GNAC regular season and tournament titles. Arby Busey, Sekyra's top assistant, succeeds him as head coach.

Ryan's Daughters Three-Peat
June 6, 1982

Seattle's Lowenbrau Zurich proves ruthless in winning its third consecutive National Women's Open Cup, 5-1, over the Rochester Wave at Chicago's Hanson Stadium. Mike Ryan's team had been known as PCI Sharks and Ramlosa in 1980 and '81. Sharon McMurtry is voted the finals MVP after scoring twice in the championship match after a hat trick in 3-0 defeat of St. Louis. Lisa Jones opens the scoring and both Joan Dunlap and Denise Bender add goals while Lorraine DeGroot anchors the backline.

Hahnemann Returns to USMNT, Starts
June 8, 2003

Nearly nine years after his last cap, Marcus Hahnemann starts for the U.S. in 2-1 win over New Zealand in Richmond, Va. Hahnemann is beaten by New Zealand's Vaughan Coveny in the 23rd minutes but then denies him with a kick save in the 37th. Hahnemann serves as backup to Tim Howard during the subsequent FIFA Confederations Cup in France.

Kennedy's Five Girls' Titles is Tops
November 23, 2002

Kennedy becomes the first Washington high school to win five championships at the 3A/4A levels by overpowering Bellingham in the second half to triumph, 4-0, at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. Junior Vicky Rodriguez kick-starts the Lancers (17-3-2) by breaking the 0-0 deadlock in the 51st minute, and two minutes later. Krystle Jalalian capped the Lancers' dominant state performance with goals in the 68th and 70th minutes. Kennedy last won the crown in 1994. Coach Doug Stamnes, who also led the Lancers' boys teams to championships in 1997 and 2000, runs his total to seven.

Xan Nixon celebrates after scoring one of his nine goals for Saint Martin's in 2009. (Courtesy Saint Martin's Athletics)
2009
The University of Washington varsity, playing its final season under Mike Ryan, far left. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
1976
Denzil Miskell's Sports Specialties was Seattle's first soccer shop.
1975
Clint Dempsey is congratulated after scoring the opening U.S. goal in the Copa América Centenario quarterfinal vs Ecuador at CenturyLink Field. Dempsey also assisted on the second goal. (Courtesy John Dorton / ISI Photos).
2016
Sounders forward Bruce Miller (center) is congratulated by Paul Crossley (left) and Micky Cave after scoring vs. San Jose. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
1979
Scene from a Sounders 1998 home match vs. San Diego.
1998
Sounders captain Kasey Keller lifts the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup following Seattle's 2-1 victory at D.C. United.  (Courtesy Brad Smith / ISI Photos)
2009
Tony Crudo, Seattle's youth international.
1977
1967
Sounders forward Patrick Beech lets fly on a shot vs. Vancouver.
1998