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.
Seattle Sounders Women wait until late to snap a tie and move past FC Tucson for the WPSL Western Conference championship at Starfire Stadium. Bethany Balcer puts the Sounders in front, 3-2, in the 75th minute, and a Celia Delgado penalty kick at 87' cements matters.
Two long throws from Blake Crutchfield lead to goals in the first 20 minutes of Snohomish's 2-1 win over Ferris for the boys’ state 4A championship. In the fifth minute, Crutchfield’s heave hits the Ferris crossbar and rebounds down for Tanner Corrie to convert. Crutchfield’s throw in the 20th minute goes into the net after being deflected by the Saxons’ keeper. Jonathan Gagalo brought back Ferris and set-up a tense final 15 minutes, but the Panthers hang on for their third title.
South Kitsap becomes the first Kitsap County squad to capture a boys’ soccer championship, with the Wolves toppling previously undefeated Pasco, 2-1, in Lakewood. The Bulldogs entered the match with a 19-0-0 record. South Kitsap, the No. 3 finisher in the Narrows League, played the role of underdog with 14-3-1 record. Pasco had outscored it postseason foes by 11-2 but the Wolves strike in the 32nd minute through Brent Ricigliano, and Dixon Hammer's header make it 2-nil at 56'. Richard Renteria cuts the deficit four minutes later.
Homegrown rookie forward Jordan Morris scores his first professional goal to help defeat Philadelphia, 2-1. In his seventh start, Morris outraces the Union backline to reach Andreas Ivanschitz's ball and poke it past Andre Blake in the 71st minute. When substituted later, Morris receives a standing ovation and is happily greeted by his father, team physician Dr. Michael Morris. It starts a four-game span in which Morris scores second-half goals in each, with Seattle winning three.
For generations his name was synonymous with deals on soccer gear in Seattle, but on this day comes news of the untimely passing of Denzil Miskell. For 33 years Denzil was proprietor of Sports Specialties, Puget Sound's original soccer shop, located in Belltown. But he was much, much more than that, sharing stories and sound advice to parents and players alike. Throughout the 70s and 80s, the shop was the hub, the barbershop of the local soccer community.
Norselander Vikings get an overtime winner from Larry Peterson to lift the state championship trophy by defeating the Hungarians, 3-2, at Lower Woodland. It's the first overall title for the Scandinavians since 1950, when they were known as Acme Tyee. Ted Wittenberg's brace canceled out Karmen Koteles's two goals during regulation. Peterson was among the Vikings' injured during the second half of the campaign, when they took fourth.