Washington State
Legends of Soccer

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.

What are you looking for?
Donate Now!
Explore our history. Click on any of the panels below to learn what happened that year.
Rapinoe Goal Beats Germany
March 1, 2018

Seattle Reign's Megan Rapinoe tallies the game-winner in the United States's 1-0 victory over Germany in the She Believes Cup in Columbus. Seventeen minutes in, Rapinoe runs onto a long, upfield ball at the top of the box and tucks it away on her first touch. On March 7, her cross is bundled into the net by England for an own goal in another 1-nil U.S. tournament win.

Seattle's Dunlap Drives Carolina
October 8, 1984

Joan Dunlap scores North Carolina’s final goal and adds an assist on one of two April Heinrichs goals in a 3-0 win over William & Mary. It extends Dunlap’s streak of contributing either a goal or assist to 23 games for the Tar Heels (14-0-0), dating back to Oct. 15, 1983. On Oct 23, she nets a hat trick in the first 22 minutes of a 5-0 victory over William & Mary.

Akers Returns Home for Cup Finals, Clinic
May 10, 2014

World Cup legend Michelle Akers leads a youth clinic sponsored by the Seattle Sounders Women and congratulates Washington Youth Soccer State Cup girls' finalists at Starfire Sports. Akers, who now lives in Georgia, is returning to her home state to participate in a number of activities, including community autograph sessions and seminars for players, parents, coaches, referees and administrators.

Local Olympic Hopefuls Face U.S. Olympic Team
April 16, 1971

In a remarkable effort to showcase young local talent, the U.S. Olympic Team plays a doubleheader before 3,000 at Memorial Stadium. A more seasoned state league selection defeats the Olympian reserves, 2-1, in the opening game. John Goldingay and Tim Allen score. In the featured second game, a selection of young Triumph Continental players falls, 3-1, to the Olympians. Triumph's Larry Oliver scores from yards past Shep Messing. Ward Forrest, Mac Taylor and Gordy Moser are guest substitutes for the U.S.

McAlister Goal Lifts Seattle U to Title
December 5, 2004

Bobby McAlister’s goal in the 70th minute lifts Seattle University to the NCAA Division II championship, 2-1 over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at Wichita Falls, Texas. McAlister scores his second game-winning goal in three days, taking Jeff Fishbaugher's cross into a congested box and shooting home. It's his record 22nd goal and fourth of the postseason. Jeremiah Doyle withstands a series of shots and makes a leaping save off John Matthews from the top of the box, deflecting it off the crossbar. The Redhawks take advantage of a restart in the 43rd minute to to go in front initially. Santa Maria Rivera's free kick into the box is flicked on by Cameron Weaver to Adam Jensen for his third tournament goal. SIUE's Victor Pacheco nets the equalizer in the 49th minute. Seattle U wins its 15th straight and finishes unbeaten (22-0-1). It's the second national title after taking the NAIA in 1997.

Washingtonians, UP Denied Place in NCAA Final
December 6, 1996

Portland's postseason arch-nemesis, Notre Dame, stops the Pilots and their Washington-based players short of the NCAA championships game. The Irish come from two goals down to win the semifinal, 3-2, before 8,800 at Santa Clara, Ca. A free kick from Justi Baumgardt of Federal Way creates the first UP goal. Jody Dutra, Wynne McIntosh and Kim Stiles are among the other Washingtonians playing for Portland. Notre Dame had beaten the Pilots in the 1994 semifinals and the 1995 final.

Finn Hill Shindiggers, feature Sharon McMurtry, front row far right. (Courtesy Sharon McMurtry)
1976
While the Sounders' 11-0 loss to Cruz Azul was largely overlooked by Seattle media, it was given extensive coverage in Mexico and Central America.
1997
Olsen's United and Newport Striders captains lift the Sir Thomas Lipton trophy prior to their state cup match.
1971
Seattle Pacific raises the NCAA trophy after defeating Southern Connecticut, 1-0, in the NCAA Division II Championship game. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific)
1993
Geoff Hurst scores to give Seattle its first NASL playoff win, 1-0 over Vancouver. (Courtesy Seattle Times)
1976
Many Washingtonians attended 1999 World Cup matches, including the record 90,185 in the Rose Bowl for the USA-China final. (Frank MacDonald)
1999
Seattle Pacific defeated rival Western Washington for a fourth time, 2-1 in Dallas, to win the 2021 NCAA West Regional. (Courtesy Seattle Pacific Athletics)
2021
Olympia Brewing Vikings keeper Per Ostobo goes low to stop a foe.
1978
Walter Schmetzer's U14 Lake City Hawks. (Courtesy Walter Schmetzer)
1976
FC Olympia became Washington’s first club to win a USL W League playoff game in 2024, upsetting Oakland. Here Maia Tabion maneuvers against the Soul. (Oakland Soul SG)
2024