1975

Seattle reaches the NASL playoffs for the first time and although owning the third-highest point total in the league is pitted against points leader Portland in the first round. Before 31,523 (including an estimated 2,000 from Puget Sound), John Rowlands gives the visitors a lead early in the second half before Barry Powell answers. A pitch invasion ensues after Tony Betts gets the winner in the 97th minute.

Ken Hall’s five saves secure the shutout and Daudi Abe gets the goal that avenges previous year’s championship game defeat to Adelphi as Falcons win semifinal before 5,000 at Memorial Stadium.

An intracity competition to be known as Sounders Cup is introduced, with Seattle Pacific, Seattle University and Washington vying for trophy in existing home-and-home regular season series between teams.

A national TV audience descends upon Seattle for the first time as newly-signed Pele´ visits with his New York Cosmos. The Sounders bring in additional bleachers, boosting capacity to 17,925 at Memorial Stadium. Hank Liotart scores from the spot and Tommy Baldwin seals the 2-0 win.

The largest crowd in 41 years to see an amateur game in Seattle – 7,000 fans – witnesses Seattle Pacific scoring first but then falling in the NCAA Division II final, 3-1 to Baltimore in windy, near-freezing temperatures. Runner-up for a second year in a row, SPC coach Cliff McCrath said, “I’m proud of all my boys. Remember, a lot of gals had to go to more than two weddings before they caught the bouquet.”

For the first time the United States National Team hosts a match in the Pacific Northwest. The USMNT faces Poland, winner of the 1972 Olympic Games and third in the 1974 World Cup. Seattle’s Hank Liotart starts in midfield and both Dave D’Errico and Tim Logush feature in the 4-0 defeat before 13,195.

Tacoma Strikers win the first USYSA U16 boys West Regional at Steilacoom, Wash., blasting the Valley Eagles of Van Nuys, Calif., 7-3, on two goals each from John Graves and Mark Peterson.

After breaking his leg 13 months earlier, Pepe Fernandez returns and in his sixth game back comes off the bench to deliver a 95th minute winner, 2-1, versus Denver.

Bremerton’s Peewee Association postpones games due to fresh dumping of snow. Disappointed kids bombarded the league office with calls, so the games were played, with the parents marking out the lines on the snow-covered pitches with sand.

Eastside YSA’s U17 Newport Huskies win their sixth straight state championship convincingly, 9-2 over Seattle’s Hillwood Kickers, at Memorial Stadium. Steve Moore nets a hat trick and Ron Dorn adds two goals for Fred Conner’s squad.

Sounders coach John Best becomes the first soccer personality nominated for “Post-Intelligencer” Sports Man of the Year award at the Olympic Hotel. Best finishes fourth in the voting, which is topped by bowler Earl Anthony.

Sounders play indoor, 6-a-side version for the first time, in NASL regional tournament at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. Seattle is drubbed by San Jose, 14-4.

New NASL rules in 1976 stipulate squads reduced from 18 to 16 players and each team must have six North Americans.

Seattle and Portland meet for the first time at the professional level, with the Sounders getting a penalty kick from Jimmy Gabriel and a penalty save by Barry Watling to claim a 1-nil victory in soggy Civic Stadium.

Fire destroys the original Sports Specialties soccer shop at 1530 1st Avenue South, Seattle. More than a uniform and equipment supplier Denzil Miskell’s store was the de facto hub of soccer activity and discussion. In addition to the shop’s inventory, also lost were four State League trophies, including the Eddie Craggs Memorial Cup.

I don’t believe the fans are interested only in something stamped ‘Made in America.’ I think they want to see the best players available. The way to upgrade American soccer players is through experience and talent, not through legislation.

Seattle United Steelers equalized in the 11th minute, through assists from Thor Tollefson and Steve Newman to Bruce Walyor, but the San Jose Portuguese pulled away to win the U.S. Challenge Cup West region semifinal, 4-1, at West Seattle Stadium.

Washington clinches the Sounders Cup series by hammering Seattle Pacific, 4-0, in front of a record attendance for college soccer in the state – 5,200 at Husky Stadium. Doug Buck scored a brace on two long-distance strikes and twin brother Denny Buck posts the shutout.

Sounders announce that after two seasons and 17 consecutive sellouts at Memorial Stadium, they are moving to the soon-to-be-completed Kingdome. Awaiting them are modern amenities such as parking, replay screens and protection from the elements, not to mention a larger, uncrowned playing surface. There will be no increase in ticket prices.

Sports Illustrated features the Sounders-Timbers series as it moves to Memorial Stadium and the second meeting in eight days. Barry Powell equalizes in the 90th minute, but Seattle wins it in the 93rd on a golden goal by John Rowlands.

NCAA accepts Seattle Pacific’s bid to host Division II semifinals, consolation and final at Memorial Stadium. Bid includes Nile Temple Shriners committing to buy 6,000 tickets each day.

Mountlake Terrace claims the first official state high school championship, 3-2 over Bellevue’s Newport, on a Dale Buske volley with 3:22 remaining at Memorial Stadium. The Hawks come from two goals down in the final 12 minutes despite losing an ejected player. Attendance for the WIAA final is 1,247.