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.
Unbeaten Thomas Jefferson erupts for three second-half goals to become the first state boys' repeat champion in the WIAA era. The Raiders overpower Interlake, 4-1, before 3,500 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. Ray Hoff, Larry Piffer, Todd Holman and Shawn Bogart score for TJ, which features nine members of the national champion Goalpost and outscored opponents 101-6 during the season and allowed just one goal in the tournament. Iain Ferguson tallies an equalizer in the 30th minute for the Saints, who upset Nathan Hale in the semifinals.
The Olympia Olys take the lead over San Jose Portuguese in the U.S. Open Cup second-round clash, but they are unable to hold it. The Portuguese win, 4-2, at the Police Athletic League Stadium in San Jose. The Olys go in front, 2-1, on scores by Greg McKeown and Ward Forrest before the hosts, beginning in the 79th minute, score three times in three minutes, the last two by John Franco. San Jose is later eliminated by eventual champion L.A. Maccabee in the quarterfinals.
The original 1974 NASL Sounders team becomes the first inductee to the club’s newly established Eternal Circle of Legends. The pregame ceremony is part of the club celebrating 50 years of professional soccer in Seattle. Players — eight who are still living — and families from the team are presented with black jackets to commemorate the honor. There are about 120 alumni players representing every previous team on the field as part of the festivities. WA Legends curates an exhibit detailing the inaugural team’s profound impact, both on the field and in the community.
Justi Baumgardt and Federal Way close out the year in sensational style with a 3-0 triumph over defending champion Sammamish in the girls' AAA state final at Shoreline Stadium. Baumgardt, playing with a hairline fracture in her right forearm, sets up Jill Bruyere's opener and later scores her 98th career goal as the Eagles, ranked No. 1 in the nation, complete the year 19-0-0. Julia Popich adds a first-half goal. Federal Way gets its second title in six years, and made at least the semifinal round each year in between.
Seattle's KING 5 preempts network programming to air a documentary featuring three-time women's national champion FC Lowenbrau-Zurich. The film, narrated by Jean Enersen and entitled "Going for Four," profiles coach Mike Ryan and 14 players as they prepare to win a fourth national title in 1983.
Western Washington, playing before a partisan capacity crowd, lifts its second NCAA Division II championship trophy with a 2-1 triumph over top-ranked West Chester (Pa.) at Seattle's Interbay Stadium. Freshman Claire Potter, who assists on the game's first goal, whips her 20-yard shot from an acute angle on the right wing. It sails over the keeper and into the left corner. Potter's header in the 15th minute finds Tera Ziemer to volley home. West Chester ties it 10 minutes later. Tenth-ranked Western out-shoots West Chester 25-3 and finishes on a 9-game win streak. WWU won its first title in 2016 and was runner-up in 2019. Only the 1986 Seattle Pacific men's squad had won an NCAA championship in its home state previously.