Playing in front of a big, raucous crowd in Azteca Stadium, Kasey Keller makes some superb saves to hold Mexico level for more than 90 minutes in the FIFA Confederations Cup semifinal. Keller makes two difficult stops in the first 12 minutes and another early in the second half to keep El Tri scoreless while wearing the U.S. captain’s armband for the third time in eight days. Finally in extra time, Cuauhtemoc Blanco breaks through by collecting his own rebound and scoring from point-blank range for a 1-0 win over the Americans. Mexico proceeds to beat Brazil, 4-3, to win the tournament.

Ten days after falling tragically in the MISL Finals, the Tacoma Stars begin reshaping their roster by acquiring a pair of local favorites from Cleveland. Bellevue native Bernie James and former Sounders league MVP Peter Ward come west. James is the MISL's all-time blocks leader. Ward is coming off 26 goals. It brings Tacoma's total of rostered all-stars to nine.

Seattle Parks Department installs a cinder surface made from crushed brick at Lower Woodland Park. Cintrex alleviates problems with puddling and mud but proves abrasive on legs and arms. Meanwhile, a new close-fibered grass surface with improved drainage is laid at West Seattle Stadium.

Holding their inaugural Queens Match, Seattle Reign marks the 40th anniversary of the first U.S. Women's National Team match by honoring The 85ers, who featured seven players from Washington. All 17 USWNT veterans, including Michelle Akers, join the Reign and Rave Foundation's opening of a new community mini-pitch. The Queens Match will annually honor the storied legacy of the city and spotlight those women who were pioneers in developing the beautiful game. Seattle squanders a 3-nil lead and draw, 3-3, with Chicago on goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher's equalizer.

Seattle trades away one Designated Player to make room for its next big signing, acquiring German midfielder Christian Tiffert. To make room, the Sounders swap Alvaro Fernandez to Chicago for allocation money. Tiffert, 30, has played with the Bundesliga's Kaiserslautern since 2010.

Sports Illustrated features the Sounders-Timbers series as it moves to Memorial Stadium and the second meeting in eight days. Portland striker Peter Withe begins the game with his third goal against the Sounders in two meetings. Tommy Baldwin ties it, and Mike England scores from 30 yards for a 57' lead. It appears to be a Sounders win, but Barry Powell equalizes in the 90th minute, forcing overtime. three minutes into the extra period, Seattle wins it, 3-2, as a long throw from Paul Crossley is headed in by John Rowlands.