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.
Olympic Team Prospects
May 23, 1967

Four state youths – Mike Dawson, Mike Carney (both of Buchan Bakers), Mark Smith (Lake Hills) and Steve Thorne (Edmonds Hansen Hotspurs) – are chosen by State Junior Soccer Commission for the U.S. Olympic Development camp in San Jose, June 18-24, under Olympic team coach Geza Henni.

Washington State Adds Women's Varsity Program
April 6, 1989

Complying with a court order to increase spending on women's athletics, Washington State University becomes the first women's Division I program in the state. Tryouts will be held in August and the first varsity games will begin shortly thereafter. A club program has existed at WSU since 1977.

Tacoma Defiance Destined for New League
June 21, 2021

Major League Soccer announces the formation of a new league in 2022 for its affiliated reserve teams. MLS NEXT Pro will be sanction for Division III by U.S. Soccer, and all MLS reserve teams – including Tacoma Defiance –currently in USL Championship or League One will move there by 2023. The Defiance (formerly Sounders 2) has been in the Div. II USL Championship since starting in 2015.

Akers-Stahl Returns to Sweden
March 13, 1992

Michelle Akers-Stahl returns to Sweden, signing with Tyreso FF. Akers-Stahl had first played for Stockholm area club in 1990. She spearheads Tyreso's run to the Swedish championship in the summer as the scoring leader. Akers-Stahl earlier signed an endorsement deal with Umbro, the English athletic equipment company.

Reign Start Extends to 15 Games Unbeaten
July 6, 2014

The Seattle Reign can't lose. A year after failing to win any of their first 11 games, the Reign extended their unbeaten start to 15 matches (13-0-2) by turning back Boston, 3-2, at home. All three goals, including two from Naho Kawasumi, come in the final 35 minutes. Jess Fishlock finds Kawasumi in the 83rd minute for the winner. With eight fixtures remaining, Seattle already has more points than the 2013 NWSL Shield winner.

Snohomish Earns First Boys' Title
May 27, 2000

Snohomish brings the state 4A boys' title back to the west side of the state following a 1-0 win over Port Angeles in Vancouver. Jason Tornquist, a defender, comes forward to put home Will Van Duine's long throw into the box in the 49th minute. The previously unbeaten Roughriders another Snohomish chance off the line in the 56th minute. Brian Harrison makes six saves to preserve the Panthers' first championship.

Ron Davies of Seattle and San Diego's Tony Donlic battle. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
1979
Peninsula College of Port Angeles repeated as NWAC champion in 2013. (Courtesy NWAC)
2013
Starfire Sports co-founders (L to R) Steve Beck, Mark Bickham and Chris Slatt, at the 20th anniversary of the facility’s opening on Oct. 24, 2023. (Courtesy Starfire Sports)
2023
Felix Chenkam of Sounders 2, who made Cheney Stadium their home in 2018. (Courtesy Sounders FC)
2018
Tacoma rookie Mark Peterson, right, was a key figure in the Sounders' 1980 success. (Frank MacDonald Collection)
1980
Development of the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey began in 2000.
2000
Former Sounders captain and coach Jimmy Gabriel took over as FC Seattle Storm head coach in 1986. (Joanie Komura photo)
1986
Identical twins James (left) and Jason Dunn of Seattle Pacific. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific)
1993
Peter Hattrup, Seattle Pacific scoring leader, vs. Florida International. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific)
1985
1978