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.
Brothers Score Six-Pack
January 15, 1951

Brothers Gene and Merle Mjelde score three goals apiece in Seattle Soccer Club’s seventh straight league win, 6-1 win over Black Diamond.

Western, PLU Men Take League Titles
November 9, 2019

No. 19 Western Washington posts a third consecutive shutout to clinch its first GNAC men's championship since 2008, 1-0 over Montana State Billings in Bellingham. With the title comes the second NCAA berth since 2016. Jeremiah Lee first-times a low volley from 6 yards off a corner from Georg Cholewa. The same day, Pacific Lutheran books its place in the Division III postseason by downing Puget Sound, 2-0. The Lutes had shared the NWC title the previous two seasons. Keeton Heggerness opens the scoring in the ninth minute and Jackson Moore tallies 15 minutes later.

Washington Ends Apple Cup Draught
November 8, 2019

For the first time in 15 years, Washington secures the Boeing Apple Cup Series, edging No. 24 Washington State, 1-0, in Seattle before a season-high crowd of 2,621. The victory virtually assures the Huskies an NCAA tournament berth. A Summer Yates penalty kick proves the difference. Siena Ruelas makes five saves for the clean sheet. Makena Carr is tripped as she cuts into the middle of the box, prompting the penalty call. Yates converts in the 82nd minute for her eighth goal. It's UW's first win over WSU since 2003.

Feature Film Has Local Angle
November 17, 2023

Taika Waititi's feature film "Next Goal Wins" opens nationwide and depicts several members of Washington's soccer community and their roles with the American Samoa National Team in its longshot journey through 2014 World Cup qualifying. Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen, played by Michael Fassbender, is the head coach and central character. Former Tacoma Community College coach Nicky Salapu was Rongen's goalkeeper, and Everett's Larry Mana'o served as the team's assistant coach. A documentary by the same name was released in 2014.

Late Galaxy Goals Oust Sounders in USOC
July 20, 2016

Although mired in a midseason slump, the Sounders appear to be on their way to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals when the Los Angeles Galaxy go to their bench and score three late goals to win the quarterfinal 4-2 at Carson, Ca. Herculez Gomez restores the visitors advantage at 58'. Then the Galaxy bring on MLS All-star and Mexico international Giovani dos Santos and he ties it within three minutes, at 77'. Another substitute, Gyasi Zardes, sets-up Sebastian Lletget for a pair of goals three minutes apart (85', 88').

SPU Remains Unbeaten After Halted Game
October 25, 2014

Seattle Pacific’s Stephen MacDonald nets the lone goal in the fifth minute of game shortened by a power outage at Interbay Stadium. The No. 3 Falcons defeat the University of Mary, 1-0, to reach 14-0-1 on the season. They have set records for consecutive wins (13) and games unbeaten (15). Power is lost throughout the surrounding neighborhoods at 8:40 p.m., when the match reached the 82nd minute. After both teams wait 80 minutes to resume, officials rule SPU the winner.

Burien's Nate Daligcon (far left, front group) was a starter for Rochester in the A-League Ragin' Rhinos' upset of MLS Columbus Crew in the 1999 U.S. Open Cup final. (Courtesy USL)
1999
Several iterations of Vikings teams, mostly comprised of players of Scandinavian heritage, began competing in 1924. This is the 1932 side. (Courtesy Pep Peery/Mike Mikkelsen)
1949
DeAndre Yedlin burst into international prominence with his surprise performance in the World Cup. (Sounders FC photo)
2014
(Courtesy The Seattle Times)
1960
MASL MVP Nick Perera celebrates with Alex Caceres after scoring vs. the Mesquite Outlaws. Perera scored 33 goals in 2022-23 and led the league in points and assists. (Courtesy MASL Media)
2023
Chance Fry is loaded for goals. The Bellevue native scored 11 to lead the Sounders in 1994.
1994
Seattle Pacific celebrates its first NCAA women's championship in Tampa. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific Athletics)
2008
Sean Lambrecht scored twice as Whitworth reached the 2004 NCAA Division III second round by beating Colorado College. (Courtesy Whitworth Athletics)
2004
University Place's Morgan Weaver made her USWNT debut vs. Australia in 2021. (Courtesy Brad Smith/ISI Photos)
2021
After bouncing around campus and the region, the Washington men's and women's programs finally have a dedicated home as Husky Soccer Stadium opens in 1997.
1997