Portland erupts for four goals in a 16-minute span of the second half to defeat San Diego State, 5-0, in an NCAA third-round playoff at Merlo Field. Spokane's Kim Stiles scores the spree's first two goals, seven minutes apart, before Kent's Michelle French adds the next in a driving rain. Goalkeeper Angela Harrison, another Spokane native, anchors the Pilots' sixth straight shutout win. UP later advances to the semifinal round.

Some 14,000 fans pack the Tacoma Dome to watch the U.S. Women's National Team take on a team of World All-Stars. Michelle Akers of Shoreline is the clear crowd favorite, drawing the biggest cheers. The international stars jump to a 2-0 lead and never look back on their way to a convincing 11-2 victory using 6v6 indoor rules. The World team now leads the Toys 'R Us Victory Tour series, 6-5.

With the streets around Seattle Stadium largely a pedestrian- and bike-only area, public transportation sees record ridership on the day of the USA-Australia World Cup match. Sound Transit Link light rail carries 280,000 passengers, and a record 9,483 riders board the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis. In addition, Lime tracks more than 83,000 trips on its e-bikes and scooters, smashing their record by about 40 percent. In addition to the World Cup game at noon, the Mariners hosted Boston at night.

A long sought-after wish to play in Europe is realized for Obed Vargas when the 20-year-old midfielder moves from the Sounders to Atlético Madrid for a reported record $4 million, plus a 20 percent sell-on fee. Since becoming the third-youngest (15 years, 351 days) player in MLS history in 2021, Vargas became a Seattle fixture over five seasons and 129 appearances. He makes his Atléti debut on Feb. 5.

Darren Sawatzky is appointed sporting director and head coach of USL League One Richmond Kickers. Sawatzky goes east after one year at FC Tucson. Before that, Sawatzky guided the Tacoma Stars through most of their first four MASL seasons and seven years with the Sounders U23s.

Senior defender Zach Scott scores only the fifth hat trick in Gonzaga program history – all on headers – as the Bulldogs stun 17th-ranked Loyola Marymount, 4-1, at Martin Field. Taylor McCool stakes the Zags to a 4th-minute lead and Scott's first goal doubles it in the 16th. He adds goals in the 54th and 69th minutes. Unbeaten now in six outings, Gonzaga is ranked No. 16 the following week.