Rising Tide on Dry Side

2017 – Around the World and Close to Home

Former FBI director Robert Mueller begins investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election the #MeToo movement exposes sexual harassment scandals in Hollywood, politics and media Las Vegas is among the scenes of U.S. mass shootings with 565 lives taken nationwide. More than 100,000 march for women’s right in Seattle, the inaugural high-speed run of an Amtrak train derails in DuPont, spilling onto Interstate-5 and killing three and Gonzaga men’s basketball reaches the NCAA Final Four before being beaten by North Carolina in championship game.

Rising Tide on Dry Side

It is an autumn unlike any other in the 509. Each of the three Division I women’s programs on Washington’s dry side are making noise and serving notice they are to be reckoned with.

In Spokane, Gonzaga is above .500 for the first time in 10 years. Nearby in Cheney, Eastern Washington is developing into a big deal in the Big Sky Conference. And on the Palouse, Washington State is becoming the tenacious team no one wants to face in NCAA tournament play.

Under Todd Shulenberger’s guidance, the Cougars reach the third round of the playoffs for the first time. They finish seventh in the Pac-12 yet earn a third straight postseason bid by going 6-2-3 in non-conference play, including two wins and two draws against nationally-ranked foes. The biggest giant slayed is No. 8 Central Florida on its home ground in the first round. Ella Dederick posts her 11th shutout of the season and an own goal advances WSU to the next round. There it takes 20th-ranked Tennessee and, with Dederick making three saves in the shootout, Wazzu takes another step forward.

“Here's this little old team from Washington State – Pullman, Washington – that comes to Orlando and beats an unbelievable UCF team, knocks them out and then comes down (to Gainesville, Florida) and plays a fantastic Tennessee team.,” exclaims Shulenberger. “When we packed two weeks ago, I told the team we're coming here to win and we're coming here to stay. Pack your bags and we're going to go out on this journey.”

No. 16 Florida finally stops the resilient, hard-working WSU in the third round, 1-0 in overtime. It’s just a pause, however. With only four seniors and all-Pac-12 picks Dederick and Morgan Weaver due back, all the momentum is forward.

At Eastern, Chad Bodnar has taken a moribund program (six straight losing seasons prior to his 2014 arrival) to its first NCAA appearance in 2016, thanks to a pair of Big Sky tournament upsets and securing the automatic berth via penalties. In 2017, the Eagles are far more direct, their superiority evident. They go 10-1-1 in conference play, including the tournament, finishing with a plus-21 goal differential. Spokane’s Chloe Williams, three-time Big Sky offensive player of the year, gives EWU an early lead over No. 3 and defending champion USC in the NCAA opener.

Although Eastern falls in overtime, Williams’s 44 career goal a Big Sky standard, the 16 wins is a school record and the Eagles become the first D-I women’s program in the state in 17 years to outright win a regular season conference crown. “That’s the pinnacle of the conference part of the season, says Bodnar, “but we have goals here for that to be an expectation.”

Year in Review
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Season Record
14-9-11, 2nd MLS West, MLS Cup runner-up
Coach
Brian Schmetzer (2nd year)
Top Scorer
Clint Dempsey (12 goals)
REIGN FC
Season Record
9-8-7, 5th NWSL
Coach
Laura Harvey (5th year)
All-League
Jess Fishlock
Top Scorer
Megan Rapinoe (12 goals)
U.S. Open Cup
Seattle Sounders, 5th Round
Tacoma Stars
10-10, 3rd MASL Pacific
Men's Collegiate Postseason
Seattle U., D1 2nd rnd Washington D1 1st rnd
Women's Collegiate Postseason
Eastern Washington, D1 1st rnd Washington State D1 3rd rnd Western Washington, D2 3rd rnd Pacific Lutheran, D3 2nd rnd Northwest, NAIA 1st rnd
Men's Conference Champions
Pacific Lutheran (co-NWC), Seattle U. (WAC),
Women's Conference Champions
Eastern Washington (Big Sky), Pacific Lutheran (NWC), Western Washington (GNAC)
NWAC Men's Champion
Highline d Whatcom, 1-0
NWAC Women's Champion
Highline d Peninsula, 1-0 OT
YOUTH
Girls Regional Champion
Eastside FC 98 Red (U19-20)
Largest Attendance
51,796, Sounders v Portland
Largest Amateur Attendance
1,945, Washington v Seattle U. msoc

2017: Rising Tide on Dry Side

Gonzaga, Eastern Washington and Washington State all enjoy greater and greater success, with the Cougars reaching the NCAA third round.

Reign's Winters to Retire
September 10, 2017

Former Reign captain Keelin Winters, 28, announces her retirement, effective at the end of the NWSL season. Winters had helped hold down defensive midfield since the inaugural 2013 season. The former U.S. youth international had also played for the 2012 Sounders Women. In all, Winters plays 87 matches for Seattle.

S2 Signs-Off at Starfire
September 20, 2017

A record 13-save performance by Tyler Miller is not enough as Phoenix Rising defeats Sounders 2, 1-0, in what proves to be the final home match played at Starfire Sports Stadium. In three seasons at Starfire, S2 averages 1,428 fans, although that attendance dips to 966 in 2017.

Mathers Brace, Late Olsen Goal Wins for S1
June 19, 2017

Captain Zac Mathers pushes Sounders 2 out to an early lead but a last-minute strike from David Olsen is the difference in a 3-2 win over Oklahoma City at Starfire Sports Stadium. Mathers's penalty makes it 2-nil in the 38th minute, but the Energy, despite playing a man down, tie it with four minutes left. In the 90th minute, Olsen curls his shot inside the far post for the winner. Mathers goes on to score 11 goals, becoming the S2 career leader with 14.

State Issues Report on Crumb Rubber
January 18, 2017

Washington’s Department of Health reports that a group of players who developed cancer did not do so at a higher-than-expected rate, compared with all players of a similar age range and playing experience. The DOH study was prompted by the 2014 concern that the exposure to crumb rubber infill in artificial turf fields might be causing cancer in an unusually high number of players, especially goalkeepers. Research, conducted with the University of Washington School of Public Health, studied players statewide who were ages 6-24 between 2002-2015.

McCrath, 1978 Falcons Inducted into SPU Hall
February 11, 2017

Cliff McCrath and his first of five NCAA championship teams are inducted into the Seattle Pacific University Athletics Hall of Fame. During a 37-year tenure (1970-2007), McCrath coached the SPU men to five NCAA Division II soccer championships: 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1993. The Falcons played in 10 national title games altogether, were postseason participants 30 times, and put together 37 consecutive winning seasons. The 1978 team was the first from Washington to claim a soccer national championship at any level. At the Final Four in Miami they beat Southern Connecticut State in a triple-overtime , 1-0, then went double-OT in the next day's championship match to beat Alabama A&M, 1-0.

Tournament of Nations Begins in Seattle
July 27, 2017

U.S. Soccer's premier women's event, the Tournament of Nations, begins with a doubleheader at CenturyLink Field featuring four of the world's top 10 ranked national teams. In the marquee match, Tameka Butt scores in the 67th minute of Australia's 1-0 upset of the United States before 15,748. Moments after the goal, Seattle Reign's Megan Rapinoe crosses to Carli Lloyd who is saved by Lydia Williams, Reign goalkeeper. In the first match Japan and Brazil draw, 1-1. Japan's Yuka Momiki and Brazil's Camila score. Both are substitutes.

Eastside FC Girls Win U19 Regional
June 25, 2017

Eastside FC 98 Red rolls to the Region IV championship at Redmond's 60 Acres, routing Utah Celtics, 6-0, in the U19 final. JoJo Harber and Alexa Kirton each score twice. The outcome is never in doubt after Harber opens the scoring the second minute and the gaps grows to 4-nil after 35 minutes. In all, Eastside outscores the opposition 23-1 while going 5-0-1. Seattle United 00 Copa lose the BU17 final to Cal North’s Sporting, 2-1, and Washington Premier 99 Black fall in the BU18 final, 4-0 to Cal South's West Coast.

Cougars Keep Advancing With Upsets
November 11, 2017

Ella Dederick denies three straight shootout attempts while Washington State scores its first three penalties, pushing the Cougars into the third round of the NCAA tournament with an upset of No. 20 Tennessee, 2-2 (3-1) at Gainesville, Fla. Morgan Weaver and Kelsee Crenshaw score in regulation for WSU, which stunned No. 8 Central Florida, 1-0, in Orlando a week earlier with an own goal. No. 16 and host Florida finally beats Wazzu, 1-0, in overtime Nov. 19.

Dempsey Equals Donovan USMNT Goals Record
July 22, 2017

Clint Dempsey pulls level with Landon Donovan for United States men's national team goal-scoring record with a free kick in the 82nd minute that earns his side a 2-0 Gold Cup semifinal win over Costa Rica at Arlington, Tex. Dempsey hits a 27-yard free kick in the 82nd minute that curls around a four-man defensive wall and skips into the net on two bounces. It's his 57th international goal. In the 66th minute he came on as a substitute and immediately set-up Jozy Altidore, who breaks a 0-0 deadlock in the 72nd minute

Mount Vernon, WWU Grad Wins USL Title
November 13, 2017

Oscar Jimenez, a former standout for Mount Vernon High School and Western Washington, wins a USL Championship title in his first year with Louisville City. Jimenez, 28, starts and plays the entire match, hitting the third penalty kick in the victory over New York Red Bulls II, 1-1 (4-3), before over 14,000 at Louisville Slugger Stadium.

Sounders Sign Homegrowns Wingo & Adekoya
January 18, 2017

Sounders FC signs two 21-year-old local players formerly in their academy program, Seyi Adekoya and Henry Wingo, to Homegrown contracts. Adekoya is a three-time all-Pac-12 selection at UCLA. He attended Lakeside High and also played for Crossfire Premier. Wingo is a two-time all-Pac-12 honoree at Washington. He is a Shorecrest High graduate and played club for Puget Sound Gunners, Crosssfire and Northwest Nationals.

Fast Start Puts PLU Women in 2nd Round
November 11, 2017

Rachel Ross assists on the first goal and scores the second as Pacific Lutheran nets three goals in the first 18 minutes and goes on to beat Whittier, 4-0, in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament at Thousand Oaks, Calif. The Lutes, who repeated as Northwest Conference champion, also get goals from Kaylie Rozell, Machaela Graddy and Briana Hunting. Natalie Robinson makes six saves in the fourth consecutive shutout and her 17th for PLU. The following night, Graddy's late breakaway forces overtime but Cal Lutheran prevails in the tiebreaker, 1-1 (5-4).

WSU Upends No. 2 UCLA
October 19, 2017

An early goal holds up as Washington State bumps off No. 2-ranked UCLA, 1-0, in Pullman. Maegan O'Neill taps home a loose ball in the fourth minute, dealing the Bruins their first loss in 15 games. Ella Dederick makes five saves to earn the shutout. It's the Cougars' biggest upset since beating No. 2 Washington in 2000.

Zags Coach Thorarinsson Announces Retirement
November 13, 2017

Gonzaga men's coach Einar Thorarinsson, who guided the Bulldogs to a pair of NCAA appearances in his 23 years, announces his retirement. A native of Iceland, Thorarinsson has been a central figure in Spokane soccer for decades. He also coached at Whitworth, for both men and women, before joining GU in 1995. The Zags won West Coast Conference championships in 1997 and '98 and made the Division I tournament in 2001 and '07. Paul Meehan, Thorarinsson's assistant, is chosen as his replacement.

Northwest Eagles Reach NAIA Tourney
November 4, 2017

A come from behind, 3-1, victory over Corban effectively puts Northwest University into the NAIA women's tournament for the first time at Springfield, Ore. The Eagles, getting goals from Rylee Rassier and Katie Michkiosky, make the Cascade Collegiate Conference final. This is the second straight year the Eagles have battled their way to the title game. They are eliminated by Vanguard, 4-0, in Costa Mesa, Calif. on Nov. 18.

S2 Complete Season Sweep of Portland
August 17, 2017

Henry Wingo's first professional goal takes all the points and completes a Sounders FC 2 season sweep of Portland, 2-1 at Providence Park. Wingo beats two defenders and bends his 18-yard shot around T2 keeper Wade Hamilton in the 73rd minute. Sam Rogers gives Seattle the lead by heading in a Zach Mathers free kick in the 58th. Bill Tuiloma replies for Portland. S2 wins all three meetings with their rivals yet go winless over the final eight matches, missing the USL playoffs.

Issaquah Earns Another 4A Girls' Trophy
November 18, 2017

Mariah Van Halm scores the game-winner as Issaquah rallies from a goal down to send-off the retiring Tom Bunnell a winner with a 2-1 triumph over Central Valley of Spokane in the girls' 4A state championship at Sparks Stadium. Central Valley takes a 1-0 lead on Kaelyn Barnes's strike in the 24th minute. Within a three-minutes pan the Eagles go in front. In the 27th minute Catey Nelson sends a twisting header at the right post on a pass from Van Halm. In the 30th minute, Van Halm cooly slots in her 22nd goal of the season. It's Bunnell’s final game as coach after 14 years. Issaquah, which dethroned Camas in the semifinal, gets its second 4A title in three years. The Eagles also own three 3A crowns.

Western Heads Back to D2 Regional Final
November 11, 2017

Western Washington moves on to the West Regional final for the fifth time in six years with a 2-0 victory over Sonoma State at Harrington Field. Grace Eversaul gets the Vikings' 36th minute opener and Karli White adds insurance late. It's the 14th shutout and 18th win in 19 games. WWU, defeated at UC San Diego, 2-0, completes the season allowing only eight goals.

Fast-Finishing Eddie Na Nabs Lutes Mark
October 29, 2017

Eddie Na's furious goal assault continues with a brace in Pacific Lutheran's ninth straight win, 4-1 over Linfield. With the two goals in the final 15 minutes, Na overtakes Brian Gardner for the Lutes' career lead with 50. Na has scored 10 times during the win streak, including three multi-goal performances.

Redhawks Stun Huskies in NCAA Opener
November 16, 2017

Gabriel Ruiz scores eight minutes into overtime, and No. 22 Seattle University edges Washington, 3-2, in the first round of the NCAA tournament at a chilly Husky Soccer Stadium. Alex Roldan finds Ruiz and the freshman's 15-yard shot takes a deflection and curls into the top right corner. The Huskies score first and last in regulation. Kyle Coffee and Elijah Rice, in the 80th minute, do the honors. Habib Barry and Sergio Rivas also score for SU. In the second round, Akron ousts Seattle U, 3-0.

Sounders Silenced in MLS Cup Rematch
December 9, 2017

For the second year in a row Seattle is unable to generate much of an attack in the MLS Cup final at Toronto, but there are no game-saving heroics this time around. Toronto gets second-half goals from Jozy Altidore (67') and Victor Vasquez (90+4') to win the championship, 2-0, before 30,584 frozen fans at BMO Field. Stefan Frei makes nine saves to keep the Reds at bay before Altidore breaks through. Sounders FC had not allowed a goal in six previous regular season and playoff matches. They are out-shot 22-7. Temperature at first kick is 34 degrees and dropping.

Dempsey Returns, Nets Hat Trick vs Honduras
March 24, 2017

In his first match back as USMNT manager of a competitive match, Bruce Arena starts Clint Dempsey and is rewarded with a hat trick in a 6-0 rout of Honduras at San Jose. Dempsey joins in the scoring in the 32nd minute, from an assist by Christian Pulisic, making it 3-0. He adds the Americans' fifth and sixth goal, rounding the keeper in the 49th minute and connecting on a 23-yard free kick in the 54th. Dempsey had been sidelined since August by an irregular heartbeat and starts only because of injuries to Christian Pulisic and Jordan Morris. Four days later at Panama, Dempsey's goal allows the U.S. to come home with a 1-1 draw.

Reign's Seattle Run Ends
September 24, 2017

Seattle Reign's four-year run at Memorial Stadium comes to a close versus Kansas City, with a 1-0 loss eliminating them from playoff contention for the second year in a row before 4,991. Seattle sags down the stretch, going 1-3-1. It also turns out to be the final Reign match at Memorial, where they were 28-4-13 after going the first 27 matches unbeaten (19-0-8).

Sounders, Rainiers Envision Tacoma Stadium
May 8, 2017

Seattle Sounders FC and the Tacoma Rainiers announce that they have reached a Memorandum of Understanding, progressing to build a 5,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium on the footprint of Cheney Stadium in central Tacoma. The proposed site is set to be the future home of Sounders FC's rebranded USL franchise, which would be co-managed by the Rainiers.

Walla Walla Woes Finally End
October 28, 2017

Damien Dennis's header from a Zac Christensen free kick 14:52 into overtime gives Walla Walla a 5-4 home victory over Multnomah and snaps a 45-game losing streak for the NAIA program. Emmett Semple scores two goals for the Wolves, who notch their first-ever Cascade Conference win. WW had not won since Oct. 18, 2014, also vs. Multnomah. Eight of the losses during the drought had been by 11 or more goals.

Seattle U Wins Third Men's WAC Title
November 12, 2017

No. 23 Seattle University punches its ticket to the NCAA tournament by claiming the WAC automatic berth with a 2-1 win over San Jose State in the conference final at Las Vegas. Nathan Aune (35') and Alex Roldan (75') supply the offense for the Redhawks, who had been runner-up to Air Force during the regular season. It's the third tournament berth for SU since 2013.

Seattle Roars Back to Beat D.C. United
July 19, 2017

Cristian Roldan gets the go-ahead goal in the 78th minute and the Seattle Sounders wipe-out a three-goal deficit in the second half to beat D.C. United, 4-3. Will Bruin, Brad Evans and Gustav Svensson also score for Seattle, with all four goals coming in a 27-minute span. Roldan takes Bruin's pass, maneuvers around United's Steve Birnbaum and scores from 12 yards. Sounders play the final two minutes of regulation and four minutes of stoppage time with 10 men after Nicolas Lodeiro is sent off.

Islanders Stenberg Nets Hat Trick in Final
November 18, 2017

Mercer Island cruises to the 3A girls' championship behind the hat trick of Jessie Stenberg, beating previously perfect Stadium, 4-1, at Sparks Stadium. Stenberg opens the scoring in the 15th minute and makes it 2-nil in the 23rd. Stadium responds on Ella Nadeau's tally a minute later but before halftime Emily Arron restores the MI margin. Stenberg completes her hat trick in the 75th minute. It's Mercer Island's first title after twice finishing runner-up.

Beamer Takes 4A Boys Championship
May 27, 2017

A penalty kick by JJ Allen in the 49th minute proves the difference in the boys' 4A state final as Todd Beamer High School defeats Pasco, 2-1, at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. It's the first state title in any sport for Beamer, which opened in 2003. The game's first two goals come in the first 15 minutes. A Pasco free kick in the third minute finds the head of David Uribe. At 14:47 Mark Filmonov hits from 30 yards to tie it for Beamer.

Sounders Academy Takes Sheffield U14 Trophy
August 4, 2017

Sounders FC Academy gets a penalty save from Jake Stone and the clinching shootout conversion from Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez to win the U14 Sheffield (formerly known as Youdan) Trophy over Everton FC in Sheffield, England, 1-1 (4-2). Ethan Dobbelaere gives Seattle the lead midway through the first half. A late Toffees equalizer forces the tiebreaker. Ocampo-Chavez earns the tournament's Golden Boot with eight goals. The Sounders Discovery Program U12s win the third-place match with a 2-1 win over Japan's Kawasaki Frontale. Oscar Rincon and Reed Baker-Whiting score.

Reign Requires Rapinoe Hat Trick for Win
July 22, 2017

Seattle squanders a 4-goal lead but Megan Rapinoe rescues the Reign by completing her hat trick to hold off Sky Blue, 5-4, at Memorial Stadium. A 1-nil halftime lead quickly mushrooms after Rapinoe scores her second from the spot and Beverly Yanez and an own goal make it 4-0. By the 76th minute Sam Kerr ties it up. Rapinoe wins it on a pass from Katelyn Johnson in the 87th minute. Her 12 goals is one more than Kerr. It's the first nine-goal game in Reign history.

Dempsey Sends Whitecaps Out of Playoffs
November 2, 2017

Clint Dempsey blasts home left-footed shot from the box top for the series lead later delivers the series clincher as the Sounders vanquish Vancouver, 2-0, at CenturyLink Field. Seattle goes through to the Western Conference finals, 2-0, on aggregate. Dempsey, who missed the first leg on a suspension, lowers the boom on the Whitecaps in the 56th minute. He doubles the lead in the 88th. It's the first career postseason multi-goal game for Dempsey.

Sounders Make Historic Three-Goal Comeback
April 29, 2017

For the first time in club history, Sounders FC comes from three goals down to earn a result, drawing 3-3 with New England at CenturyLink Field. Osvaldo Alonso's 88th-minute equalizer unleashes pandemonium among the crowd of 43,230. Juan Agudelo's second goal makes it 3-0 for the Revs in the 54th minute, but Seattle begins chipping away. Nicolas Lodeiro's deflected shot finds the net in the 75th and Will Bruin pulls the Rave within a goal in the 85th.

Vikings Victorious in GNAC Women's Final
November 4, 2017

Gabriela Pelogi strikes the decisive blow, scoring a golden goal with six minutes left in overtime to fuel No. 12 Western Washington's third straight GNAC championship, 1-0 over Concordia at Portland. The defending NCAA champion Vikings avenge their only regular season loss reach the Division II tournament for the sixth straight year.

Regionals Return to Redmond's 60 Acres
June 19, 2017

Thousands of players and spectators begin descending into Redmond's 60 Acres Soccer Complex for the U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV (West) Championships. The championships are expected to draw more than 4,000 players and an estimated 14,000 spectators. The tournament runs through June 25 and has attracted about 225 boys’ and girls’ teams, ages U13 through U19/20. The USYSA regional last came to 60 Acres in 2004.

Dempsey Named Comeback Player of the Year
November 15, 2017

Clint Dempsey, whose career future was in doubt a year earlier, is named MLS Comeback Player of the Year after scoring 12 goals and adding five assists during the regular season. Dempsey missed the final two months of the 2016 regular season and all of the playoffs after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

Dempsey, Seattle Run Resumes vs. Minnesota
August 20, 2017

Clint Dempsey's fourth goal in three matches comes in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Seattle wins for the sixth time in seven outings, 2-1 over visiting Minnesota. A corner kick by Seattle's Joevin Jones floats into the box, and Minnesota's Jermaine Taylor is called for a handball. Dempsey drills his kick past Bobby Shuttleworth for his 11th goal of the year. Chad Marshall also scores for the Sounders who tie a club record by extending their unbeaten streak to nine games (6-0-3). A club-record shutout streak ends at 421 minutes on a goal by Minnesota's Ethan Finlay in the 21st minute.

Sounders Send Shockwaves Through LA
April 23, 2017

In a span of 15 first-half minutes Sounders FC leaves LA stunned with three goals on their way to the biggest road win in the series. Clint Dempsey heads home Nicolas Lodeiro's cross in the 29th and Jordan Morris caps the onslaught in the 44th minute. Ashley Cole's own goal while attempting to clear a Joevin Jones cross accounts for the other goal. Seattle had never previously won by three goals at the Galaxy.

S2 Moving to Tacoma in 2018
November 1, 2017

Seattle Sounders FC and the Tacoma Rainiers announce that beginning in 2018, Sounders FC 2 (S2) will play its home matches at Cheney Stadium. It marks the return of professional soccer to Tacoma after 26 years. The MISL Tacoma Stars operated at the Tacoma Dome from 1983-92. Cheney Stadium hosted the ASL Tides in 1976. During its first three seasons, S2's home has been Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila.

Sounders Academy Takes Third at USSDA Finals
July 16, 2017

Milo Barton and Paul Rothrock score for Sounders FC Academy in a 2-1 win over Colorado Rapids in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs at Carson, Calif. It's the highest finish to date for the SFC Academy. SFC had beaten Crossfire Premier, 3-2, in the quarterfinals before falling to LA Galaxy, 3-2 in extra time, in the semifinals.

Reign's Rapinoe Part of Big USWNT Comeback
July 30, 2017

Megan Rapinoe's goal is part of a late United States rally that overcomes a two-goal deficit to defeat Brazil, 4-3, at the Tournament of Nations in San Diego. After Christen Press closes the gap, Rapinoe's 85' blast ties it and Julie Ertz wins it four minutes later. It's the first international goal in two years for Rapinoe, who also has two assists. She scores again four days later in a 3-0 win over Japan.

Eastern Wins Second Straight Big Sky Tourney
November 5, 2017

Chloe Williams scores her Big Sky-record 43rd goal as Eastern Washington wins its second consecutive conference tournament championship, 3-0 over Northern Colorado, in Cheney. The Eagles, who also won the regular season title, secure their record 16th win. Williams also scores in the NCAA first-round loss at USC.

Rapinoe Punishes Portland, Twice
July 1, 2017

Megan Rapinoe scores in each half, leading the Seattle Reign to a 2-0 win over Portland before 4,270 fans at Memorial Stadium. Rapinoe, the NWSL leader with nine goals, but in first-half stoppage time she pounces on a defensive miscue and puts Seattle ahead. Rapinoe notches her fifth goal in four games in the 81st minute. Haley Kopmeyer makes three stops for the shutout. It extends the Reign home unbeaten streak to 13 matches, the league's longest current run.

Sounders Gain Upper Hand in Houston Series
November 21, 2017

Will Bruin and Gustav Svensson lead a banged-up Sounders to a 2-0 road win to open the Western Conference finals against 10-man Houston. Playing without Stefan Frei, Osvaldo Alonso and Jordan Morris, Seattle gets the all-important opener from Svensson in the 11th minute. Former Sounder Jalil Anibaba is sent off in the 28th minute and former Dynamo Bruin increases the lead shortly before halftime. Tyler Miller makes three saves to earn his first career shutout. Seattle proceeds to win, 3-0, at home to book a return trip to MLS Cup.

Seattle Unbeaten String Extends to 13 on Road
September 16, 2017

Although the attack falls silent, Seattle gets another road result by drawing at Dallas, 0-0, to extend the club-record unbeaten streak to 13 games. Stefan Frei's biggest stop comes in the 42nd minute off Kellyn Acosta, diving left to push it around the post. It's Frei's 10th shutout, five coming during the 10-week run (6-0-7). Sounders play without injured Jordan Morris or Chad Marshall on muggy, 96-degree night in Frisco, Tex.

Bruin Fills Void, Delivers Winner vs. Dynamo
June 4, 2017

Will Bruin scores the game's lone goal in his first encounter with his former club, and the Sounders win for the third time in four matches at CenturyLink Field. Bruin, Houston's all-time scoring leader acquired in an offseason trade, heads in a cross from Cristian Roldan in the 69th minute to beat the Dynamo, 1-0. Seattle is playing without both Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris, both on duty with the USMNT for World Cup qualifiers.

Roosevelt Ends Seattle Title Drought
May 27, 2017

Second-half scores from Vincent Duyungan and Avery Jacobson earn Roosevelt the state boys' 3A championship, 2-0 over Snohomish at Puyallup. Duyungan puts the Roughriders in front in the 45th minute and Jacobson seals it just seconds from the end. It's Roosevelt's first trip to the state final and the first championship by a Seattle school since the inaugural 3A tournament and Nathan Hale in 1985. Snohomish had won two of the last three 4A state championships and finished fourth at the 2016 4A tournament.

Soccer Bowl Heroes Return
August 20, 2017

Former Sounders captain Adrian Webster and popular forward David Butler return to Seattle to raise the Golden Scarf prior to the Sounders-Minnesota match. It's the 40th anniversary week of Seattle's first trip to a championship match, the 2-1 loss to Pele and the Cosmos in Soccer Bowl '77. Webster and Butler are among nine players from that squad hosted by Washington State Legends of Soccer at pre-game and in-game events.

Seattle Heads into Playoffs in Emphatic Fashion
October 22, 2017

Seattle loses Clint Dempsey to an early red card yet seems undiminished in beating Colorado, 3-0, to complete the regular season at CenturyLink Field. Nicolas Lodeiro scores a pair of second-half goals for the Sounders, who get their third win in four matches while scoring 10 goals. Dempsey is sent off for swinging an elbow into an opponent's head 15 minutes after Will Bruin's opener. With the win Seattle finishes one point ahead of Vancouver, which it will meet in the conference semifinals. It's Stefan Frei's record 13th shutout.

Sudden Coaching Change for Reign
November 7, 2017

It's a sudden change at the top for Seattle Reign, with Laura Harvey resigning as coach and GM and being replaced by ex-Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski, 41, on the same day. Harvey, 37, had led the Reign since its inception, taking the team to the best record in NWSL in 2014 and runner-up finishes in 2014 and '15. Andonovski's FCKC had beaten Seattle in both finals. Harvey moves to Utah, where the Kansas City shifted following the season.

Morris Goal Give U.S. Gold Cup Trophy
July 26, 2017

Jordan Morris scores the tie-breaking goal in the 88th minute, lifting the United States over Jamaica, 2-1, in the Concacaf Gold Cup final at Santa Clara, Calif. It's the Americans' sixth Gold Cup title and first since 2013. Earlier in the tournament Morris had scored twice in a 3-2 group stage win over Martinique.

For him to get that chance and bury it, everybody was so thrilled for him. He works so hard. He's a kid with a lot of potential, a lot of talent and he's come a long way.
Jozy Altidore on Jordan Morris's Gold Cup winner
She is a brilliant coach, but more importantly, she is a tremendous individual – there is nobody I would have rather worked with to build the club. Laura’s impact will be felt long after she departs, as she helped establish the enduring values that define what it means to be a part of our organization.
Reign FC owner Bill Predmore on the departure of Laura Harvey after five seasons
Our vision of having players begin their time with the club playing at Starfire with the Academy, then move up to the USL team with matches in Tacoma, before finally getting the call-up to the First Team at CenturyLink Field - all while playing within the Puget Sound region - really reinforces our commitment to bringing quality soccer to the communities of Western Washington.
Adrian Hanauer on plans to move the Sounders second team to Tacoma and eventually play in new stadium
I would like to thank all of the doctors who helped me, the Sounders organization and my family for their support. It's been a great season thus far and I would like to recognize my teammates, the coaching staff and the trainers for making it happen. Last but not least, I would like to show love to the fans for always being there for us through thick and thin.
Clint Dempsey after receiving the MLS Comeback Player of the Year award
They obviously put their heart and soul into this match. Had the result not gone our way, I think I still would have been proud of the effort they showed in the second half.
Brian Schmetzer on his Sounders' coming from down three goals to beat D.C. United
Select soccer has stripped high school soccer of its best players. Top club teams don't allow their players to play for their high school teams, and high school soccer has suffered because of it. This year Snohomish finished as the 3A state runner-up. But the Panthers had at least two players who were high-impact players as underclassmen who weren't on the team this year because of club commitments.
Everett Herald
It's kind of like a fairy-tale storybook thing. It's pretty cool.
Issaquah High girls' coach Tom Bunnell on winning a state championship in his final game
Attendance Averages
Seattle Reign 4,037
Seattle Sounders 43,666
Seattle Sounders 2 1,095
Tacoma Stars 2,894
College & High School All-America (USC)
Player (Hometown) School (Div/Team/Pos)
Nathan Aune (Arlington) Seattle University (D1/3rd/D)
Gabriela Pelogi (Federal Way) Western Washington (D2/3rd/F)
Machaela Graddy (Tacoma) (Arlington) Pacific Lutheran (D3/3rd/F)
Collegiate Men's Records
Evergreen 7-5-5
Gonzaga 6-8-2
Northwest 9-8-1
Pacific Lutheran 11-5-3
Puget Sound 10-6-1
Saint Martin's 2-14-1
Seattle University 15-4-4
Seattle Pacific 11-5-1
Washington 12-7-1
Western Washington 6-6-5
Whitman 9-7-3
Whitworth 10-8-1
Collegiate Women's Records
Central Washington 2-11-3
Eastern Washington 16-6-1
Evergreen 0-13-2
Gonzaga 10-8-1
Northwest 11-10-0
Pacific Lutheran 17-3-2
Puget Sound 13-4-3
St. Martin's 2-14-1
Seattle University 9-8-4
Seattle Pacific 10-7-0
Washington 9-8-3
Washington State 10-8-4
Western Washington 18-2-0
Whitman 2-16-2
Whitworth 12-6-2
Founders Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U10 NSC Galaxy B07 WhiteSeattle United NE G07 Blue (SYSA)
U11 Bainbridge Island FC Blue B06CFS G06 Gold
U12 CFS B05 GoldBellevue United FC Robinson G05
U13 Bainbridge Island FC Blue B04Bellevue United FC Robinson G05
U14 STU Evolution B03 BlackBainbridge Island FC Blue G03
U15 NSC Vortex B02 Greennot awarded
U16 Southlake Select B01 Rednot awarded
U17 Seattle United South B00 Bluenot awarded
U18-19 CFS B98 Melenot awarded
Hall of Fame Inductees
Cliff McCrath Seattle Pacific
1978 NCAA Champions Seattle Pacific
NPSL, WPSL Records
Issaquah SC Gunners 4-1-3, 2nd Div.
Kitsap SC 6-2-2, 1st Div.
Pac NW-OSA 3-2-2, 4th Div.
Pierce County FC 1-6-3, 6th Div.
Seattle OSA 3-4-3, 5th Div.
Seattle Sounders U23s 6-7-1, 3rd Div.
Seattle Sounders Women 5-3-0, 1st Div.
Spokane Shadow 3-4-3, 4th Div.
Professional All-League
Player (Pos) Team (Lg-Tm)
Jessica Fishlock (M) Reign (NWSL-1st)
Megan Rapinoe (F) Reign (NWSL-2nd)
Santiago Patino (F) Sounders U23 (PDL-NW)
Reign Results
1 at Houston1
1 Orlando1
0 at Chicago3
0 at Washington0
2 Sky Blue1
2 North Carolina1
1 Houston1
1 Washington1
1 ay Chicago0
State Youth Presidents Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U10 Crossfire Premier 07 ASeattle United 07 Copa A
U11 Seattle United 06 Copa AWashington Premier FC 06 Black A
U12 Three Rivers SC 05 BlackWashington Rush 05 A
U13 Northshore Select 04 GreenWhatcom Rangers FC 04 Gold
U14 Eastside FC 03 White BWashington Premier FC 03 Black B
U15 STU Chelsea Academy 02Snohomish United Black A
U16 Washington Premier FC 01 White BHarbor Premier 01 Green A
U17 Eastside FC 00 White BWashington Premier FC 00 Black B
U18 Lake Hills Synergy
U19 Bainbridge Island FC Blue 98
State Youth Recreational Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U11 NCYSA Irish Rangers (D1)NK3 G07 Pip Squeaks-Thompson (D4)
U12 SSUL WS Thunder 06-Ferraro (D3)VUSA G06 Thunderbolts (D5)
U13 SYSA LVR Strikers (D1)EYSA IFC G05 Hot Tamales (D2)
U14 SSUL HSC Gunners 04-Peterson (D3)SMYSC Cheetahs (D7)
U15 SSL Southlake Rec B03 TUSK Little Sounders (D3)Tenino Cobras (D7)
U16 SSUL HSC Blue Thunder 02-Johnson (D3)LWYSA Juanita 02 Bumblebees/Rebels (D2)
U17 NCYSA Silver Lake Billy Goats (D1)SnYSA Snohomish Force FC (D1)
U19 VYSA B99 Victory FC (D5)SSUL WS Valkyries 99-Person (D3)
Washington State Youth Champions
Age BoysGirls
U12 Seattle United 05 Copa (SYSA)Crossfire Premier 05 (LWYSA)
U13 Crossfire Yakima 04 (YYSA)PacNW 04 Maroon (GRYSA)
U14 Crossfire Premier 03 (LWYSA)Eastside 03 Red (EYSA)
U15 PacNW 02 Maroon (GRYSA)Eastside 02 Red (EYSA)
U16 Washington Rush 01 (NCYSA)Spokane Sounders 01 (SSYSA)
U17 Seattle United 00 Copa (SYSA)PacNW 00 Maroon (GRYSA)
U18 Washingtlon Premier 99 Black (TPCJSA)Eastside 99 Red (EYSA)
U19 Washington Timbers 98 Red (SWYSA)Eastside 98 Red (EYSA)
WIAA Championship Games
Boys 4A Todd Beamer 2Pasco 1
Boys 3A Roosevelt 2Snohomish 0
Boys 2A Archbishop Murphy 8East Valley (Yakima) 0
Boys 1A Overlake 1Wahluke 0
Boys 1B-2B Crosspoint 2St. George's 0
Girls 4A Issaquah 2Central Valley 1
Girls 3A Mercer Island 4Stadium 1
Girls 2A Liberty 3Columbia 0
Girls 1A King's 1 (8-7)Cascade (Leavenworth) 1
Girls 1B-2B Life Christian 1St. George's 0
On this Day in History
May 18, 2013
Eddie Johnson's second goal enables Seattle to pull away from Dallas, 4-2, and extend an unbeaten run to six matches at CenturyLink Field. After Michel ties it, 2-2, on an Olimpico, Johnson responds a minute later, juking a defender and ramming his shot into the roof of the net. Obafemi Martins adds the final goal. Sounders FC, which beat San Jose, 4-0, in its last outing, scores four goals in consecutive matches for the first time.
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January 6, 2004
John Duggan, who helped start the youth soccer movement in Tacoma and greater Pierce County, dies at age 76. Duggan founded the area's first select soccer program in 1969 - the Norpoint Royals, a boys team comprised of several players who would eventually play at the college and professional levels. Duggan was also the men's soccer coach at the University of Puget Sound from 1979-87. But the Irish immigrant was best known for his work with youth soccer. He didn't have much soccer or coaching experience when he started the Royals in 1967 yet that team, which included Stadium High graduates Jeff Durgan and Jeff Stock and Wilson's Mark Peterson, stayed together for 10 years and won numerous state and regional tournaments.
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November 18, 1989
Sheri Noah's goal in the third overtime period wins a second straight NAIA national championship for Pacific Lutheran, 2-1, over top-ranked Berry College in Due West, S.C. Wendy Johnson, who was named the tournament's most valuable offensive player and overall MVP, put the Lutes ahead on a penalty kick 14:20 into the game. Berry ties it 10 minutes later, and a stalemate ensues. Finally, Noah kicks in a loose ball 4:59 into the sudden-death overtime, at 124:59. The Lutes become the first NAIA repeat champion.
More from 1989 ›
November 17, 2001
Rachel Serpa strokes the knockout penalty kick and Jenney Edwards makes a key third-round shootout save, allowing Tahoma (21-0-1) to grab the school's first state girls' title since 1986. The Bears take the 4A decision over Inglemoor, 1-1 (5-3), at Federal Way Stadium. Molly McDonald gives Tahoma the initial lead from a Tina Thorne corner kick in the 21st minute. In the 38th, Inglemoor ties through Stacey Sarro. It is just the second goal allowed by the Bears' defense. In the shootout, Edwards tips a try from Ana Gutierrez over the crossbar, then Serpa's clinching penalty finds the lower right corner, sending Tahoma fans into a frenzy.
More from 2001 ›