Seattle makes Akron winger Steve Zakuani, 20, the first selection in the MLS SuperDraft in St. Louis. The London-born Zakuani led the nation with 20 goals as a sophomore. University of Washington midfielder George John is taken as the 14th overall pick by FC Dallas.

Goals from Beverly Yanez and Keelin Winters, playing her final home game, keep the Reign playoff hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Washington before 4,711. On the 15th anniversary of 9/11, Seattle players stand and lock arms during the national anthem. At Chicago on Sept. 4, Megan Rapinoe took a knee in support of Colin Kaepernick's kneeling to call attention to issue of racial inequality and police brutality. At Washington on Sept. 7, the Spirit moved up the pregame anthem to avoid having any players on-field. Winters is presented a firefighter’s uniform from members of the Kirkland Fire Department, which she will join after completing her season.

Cultures United is founded in south King County as a semiprofessional organization founded to develop underprivileged young players at no cost. Founded by Colombian immigrant Sebastian Diaz, Cultures United recruits players from the diverse area surrounding Kent, Auburn and Federal Way and is a deliberately welcoming club rooted in social justice and inclusion. It seeks to provide a pathway to athletic advancement while simultaneously empowering players to give back to the youth of their community.

Paul Holocher becomes the first Washingtonian to score in MLS, tallying in his first start for San Jose and also converting the decisive shootout attempt of win, 2-2 (7-6), over Kansas City at Spartan Stadium. In all, seven Washington natives are on MLS rosters, including Jeff Betts (San Jose), Ricci Greenwood (Columbus), Chris Henderson (Colorado), Shawn Medved (SJ), Matt Olson (New York) and Scott Uderitz (Kansas City).

Devvyn Hawkins and defending NCAA champion Santa Clara reach the College Cup final by ousting North Carolina, 2-1, in a semifinal match at Austin, Tx. Veronica Zepeda scores both goals, but the Broncos are thwarted by Portland in the final. Hawkins, All-American holding midfielder and team captain, and Hermann Trophy winner Aly Wagner finish their careers 3-0-0 vs. UNC.

Predrag Radosavljević , a 22-year-old rookie better known as Preki, scores in his Tacoma Stars debut, a season-opening 7-5 loss at Minnesota. Preki had been discovered by coach Bob McNab during a summer trip to Yugoslavia. At a preseason tournament in Pittsburgh, Preki impressed, scoring three goals and three assists to earn MVP honors. He goes on to score 332 MISL goals.