Richland's Hope Solo and U.S. National teammate Sydney Leroux commit to playing for Seattle Sounders Women in 2012. Solo spent the past four seasons in Women's Professional Soccer, but on Jan. 12 the WPS suspended operations for the 2012 season. Coming off a five-Leroux grew up just north of the Washington-British Columbia border, in Surrey. She's coming off a five-goal game in January during Olympic qualifying. On Feb. 26, Alex Morgan is added to the roster. Morgan's boyfriend, Servando Carrasco, plays for Sounders FC.

For the third time in her illustrious career, Michelle Akers is named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year, and Kasey Keller is chosen as male recipient for a second time. Akers received FIFA's Bronze Ball at the Women's World Cup last summer for finishing third in tournament MVP voting. Her physical play as a defensive midfielder helped the United States win the title. Keller, who plays for Rayo Vallecano in Spain, compiled a 1.09 goals-against average in five games for the U.S. National Team. He made a diving save on a penalty kick during a 1-0 victory over Argentina.

Tom Powers of Seattle's Woodland Soccer Club is named 2024 U.S. Youth Soccer Recreational Boys Coach of the Year in Chicago. Powers, who has volunteered as coach of his son's team for eight years, is a self-proclaimed "fitness and attitude" coach. His coaching style was born from his experiences of working in both education and mental health.

Following a sluggish first half, the United States brings on key veterans and defeats Venezuela, 2-0, in the first international match played at Seahawks Stadium. Kasey Keller wears the captain's armband before 17,819, yet he's rarely tested before added time, when a save is required. Following a scoreless first half, Earnie Stewart comes on, and his free kick is headed off the post by Carlos Bocanegra. Brian McBride puts the rebound off the crossbar before Jovan Kirovski buries it in the 52nd minute. Landon Donovan replaces Kirovski and scores in the 76th. Officials believe the attendance lags due to the late switch of opponents.

Tafara Pulse puts away a penalty kick for her 12th goal of the season, and Seattle University pulls away for a 3-1 win at Northwest Nazarene. It earns Julie Woodward her 100th coaching victory. Woodward has averaged over 14 wins during her first seven seasons at her alma mater.

After sculpting Seattle Pacific into a Division II women's national power, coach Chuck Sekyra resigns after 12 seasons as coach. Sekyra guided the Falcons to the 2008 NCAA championship in just the program's eighth season. His teams went 209-34-20, earned 12 consecutive NCAA berths (including trips to the semifinals or final) and won a combined nine GNAC regular season and tournament titles. Arby Busey, Sekyra's top assistant, succeeds him as head coach.