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.
In their first competitive international match, Seattle Sounders defeat England's Southampton, featuring two-time European Player of the Year Kevin Keegan. Three second-half goals deliver the 3-1 victory in the first round of the Trans-Atlantic Challenge Cup before over 22,000 at the Kingdome. All four goals come in a 10-minute span, beginning with Seattle's David Nish in the 63rd. Mick Channon replies for Southampton, but an own goal and Jeff Bourne tally two minutes apart lift the Sounders.
A crowd of 12,284 is on hand for the inaugural Tacoma Stars game in the Tacoma Dome. Danko Grgic scores the Stars' first goal 10:23 into the second quarter for the early lead, but the L.A. Lazers go on to win, 6-2. The elaborate pregame introductions feature Tacoma players entering the darkened Dome amidst green fog and neon green laser lights pulsating to the theme of Star Wars, with a 20-foot inflatable star towering above. Guests include Gov. John Spellman and MISL commissioner Earl Foreman.
Defender Lianna Simms, an injury replacement on the back line, connects on a free kick in the 22nd minute as No. 1 Skyline turns back Bellarmine Prep, 1-0, in the 4A state championship match. It's the fourth shutout in four playoff games for Skyline, which posted the school's first unbeaten season (18-0-2)in school history.
Seattle goes undefeated in its final four games and earns the sixth-highest point total yet misses the NASL playoffs. The Sounders (13-7), after a victory over Vancouver, 2-1, in the finale, finish two points behind San Jose for the Western Division's second slot. Division winner Los Angeles, which Seattle beat by a 5-1 score, goes on to take the championship. Prior to playing the Whitecaps, players go into the Memorial Stadium stands to distribute 1,000 roses. Following the game, they join fans in singing "Auld Lang Syne."
Jessie Casbere scores two first-half goals in leading Thomas Jefferson to its first AAA state girls' championship, 3-1 over Sammamish at Renton Stadium. The Totems take the early on a Missy Stowell interception and score. The Raiders respond with strikes less than eight minutes apart. First, Casbere latches onto a through ball to equalize, then gets the go-ahead goal in the 34th minute. Jolene Herring's header from a corner kick is the finishing touch with 11 minutes to go.
Stan Thesenvitz scores in his seventh straight game, sparking a second-half surge for defending NAIA champion Seattle University to beat Green Mountain, 4-1, to advance to the semifinal round in Birmingham, Ala. Thesenvitz snaps a 1-1 tie in the 48th minute with his 12th goal. Kurt Swanson adds two more goals and Manuel Ruiz has two assists. Swanson finishes his career with a record 58 goals.