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.
UW's Otagaki Strikes Again, Beats Cal
October 19, 2001

Halftime substitute Erin Otagaki scores on the hour, and Hope Solo preserves the lead in No. 18 Washington's 1-0 road over No. 15 California. It's Otagaki's second game-winner in six days and the Huskies fourth consecutive win. Solo totals nine saves, three of them very difficult, en route to her third shutout.

Evergreen Reaches NAIA Nationals
November 6, 2004

A pair of late goals from Joe Gjertsen delivers Evergreen State College to the NAIA national tournament for the first time following a 2-0 victory over Warner Pacific at Portland's Delta Park. In the 75th minute of a scoreless stalemate, Gjertsen is taken down in the box and scores on the resulting penalty kick. He then seals a trip to the finals in the 88th minute. Geoducks goalkeeper Tommy Kneeshaw get the shutout.

Sounders Sign Tottenham Legend Mike England
April 21, 1975

Mike England, a legend at London's Tottenham Hotspur and with the Welsh national team, signs to play full-time for the Sounders. England, 33, won four major trophies in 300 appearances with Spurs and served as Wales captain. A central defender, his arrival enables Jimmy Gabriel to move into defensive midfield.

Everett Kids Help Stricken Boy
March 17, 2007

A benefit clinic at Everett’s Kasch Park draws more than 160 kids and raises more than $5,800 for a local 13-year-old scheduled to undergo treatment for leukemia.

Ryan Takes Charge at UW
September 12, 1966

Six weeks prior to the first game, the University of Washington names Mike Ryan as new men's varsity head coach. Ryan's Huskies will go 3-2-2, starting with an Oct. 21 loss to Victoria, 4-3, at Union Bay Field.

Houston Selects Laity as Coach
December 21, 2022

Sam Laity's long run as an OL Reign assistant and interim head coach is rewarded when the Houston Dash named him head coach. Laity served on the Reign staff since the club's inception in 2013, going 4-2-0 as interim coach in 2021. From 2001, when he made Puget Sound his home, he coached locally with Dos FC, WestSound FC and Pacific Northwest Premier.

Seattle University won its second WAC men's title in three years in 2015 and went on to reach the NCAA third round. (Courtesy Seattle University)
2015
Obafemi Martins was Seattle's MVP and scored 15 goals in 2015. (Courtesy Jane Gershovich/Sounders FC)
2015
At 23, Nouhou came into his own during the Sounders' 2020 season, starting 23 matches overall. (Mike Fiechtner/Sounders FC)
2020
A top side in the state first division, a young Triumph Continental club flew to Honolulu for the Rainbow Invitational in March, taking second to San Jose, 1-0, in the final.
1972
Gerard McGlynn chases a loose ball for Seattle Pacific vs. Washington. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific University)
1984
(Courtesy Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
1956
Tacoma native and Washington alum Danny Vaughn celebrates his first professional goal scored for Detroit Express. (Courtesy Dan Vaughn)
1978
Michelle Akers lifts the Chiquita Cup trophy.
1992
A year after the World Cup spurred creation of two U.S. professional leagues, the official film is screened in Edmonds.
1967
Joey Gjertsen and Evergreen reached the NAIA quarterfinals for the first time in 2004. Gjerstsen also became the Geoducks' first All-American.(Courtesy Evergreen Athletics)
2004