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.
Stars Play Everywhere But at Home
January 21, 2021

A nomadic return to play for the Tacoma Stars begins in Independence, Mo., with a season-opening MASL victory, 6-5 over the Kansas City Comets. Cory Keitz scores shorthanded to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Keitz then gets the winner with 2:58 left in overtime. The Stars must play each game on the road or at neutral sites since state and local COVID-19 regulations not allowing in-person events.
Thorson Elevates to Western Head Coach
February 20, 2001

Railene Thorson is named women's head coach at Western Washington following Derek Falor's departure. Thorson, from SeaTac, had served as Falor's assistant for two seasons after completing her goalkeeping career at Montana. Falor was 56-47-10 in six years. For the WWU men's program, Travis Connell is now solo head coach after sharing the job with Brad Swanson and Todd Stauber, respectively, the past two seasons.
Stars' Perera Becomes MASL Assist King
January 5, 2025

Nick Perera rises to No. 1 in MASL career assists as the Tacoma Stars' slow start continues. Perera contributes his 226th assist on Nani Mendoza's tying goal in the third period of a 4-3 road loss to the Empire Strykers. It moves him past Kansas City's Leo Gibson. Perera also ranks No. 3 in career points and No. 4 in goals. Tacoma suffers its fourth loss in a row after opening with a win over San Diego.
Gallimore Era to End on Montlake
January 16, 2019

Washington women’s coach Lesle Gallimore announces that the 2019 season will be her last on Montlake. It will be Gallimore’s 26th season at the helm of the Huskies, making her the longest-tenured Pac-12 coach. It's the longest term of any women's coach at any state four-year collegiate program. She, longtime associate head coach Amy Griffin and assistant Nikki Washington are later named West regional staff of the year after finishing 12-7-2 and reaching the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Americans Draw with Argentina in Olympic Opener
September 18, 1988

Brent Goulet of Tacoma and Ricky Davis of the Tacoma Stars both start for the U.S. in its Olympic Games opener vs. Argentina in Taegu, South Korea. A free kick from Davis leads to the U.S. goal by Mike Windischmann in the 70th minute of the 1-1 draw.
Sounders Can't Lose
August 26, 2007

Sebastien Le Toux scores and Chris Eylander makes four saves in a 1-0 home win over Charleston, extending Sounders’ unbeaten streak to 14 matches (12-0-2) in all competitions. It’s Eylander’s 12th shutout and Seattle’s sixth in seven games.

 Barney Kempton, who would become Washington's first National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, is pictured in 1935 with sons George and Jim, players for both O'Dea High School and Westerman's youth entry in the Seattle Soccer League. (Courtesy Seattle Times)
1949
 For Sounders FC, the inaugural season was often termed perhaps the best for an expansion franchise in U.S. sporting history. (Sounders FC photo)
2009
 Tom Webb is inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame and shares the spotlight with his wife Lorna in Colorado Springs. (Courtesy Tom Webb)
1987
 (Courtesy The Seattle Times)
1956
 While in England, Tacoma Wanderers players got fitted for some new boots.
1967
 Six months after guiding the Puyallup boys to a state championship, Matt White coached the Vikings girls to a 4A crown. (Courtesy WIAA)
2019
 To mark 50 years since Sounders first played, the original 1974 team – remembered for their entertaining style and involvement with the community – was the first inductee to the Eternal Circle of Legends. (Sounders FC/Jane Gershsovich)
2024
 Malik Tillman of the United States celebrates scoring a free kick during the first half against Belgium during the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match at Seattle Stadium on July 6. (John Todd/ISI Photos)
2026
 In moving to Memorial Stadium and playing a beautiful game, the Reign increases attendance by over 50 percent. (Jane Gersovich photo)
2014
 Reign FC forward Bethany Balcer heads for goal vs Portland. Balcer scored one goal in the 2-0 win before over 7,000 fans at Cheney Stadium. Balcer went on to ben voted NWSL Rookie of the Year. (Courtesy Reign FC)
2019
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