The State of Goalkeeping

2000 – Around the World and Close to Home

The Dot.com Boom busts in a Nasdaq Composite sell-off that eventually sees many online shopping companies fail. An extremely close Electoral College presidential race between George W. Bush and Al Gore is finally settled when the Supreme Court rules 5-4 that a Florida recount be halted. The census indicates every Washington country grows, and the state population shows 21 percent increase since 1990. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation becomes the nation’s richest philanthropic trust with a gift of $5 billion from the couple. The Kingdome is imploded to make way for the new soccer-football stadium. The Seattle Mariners rebound from losing both Ken Griffey Jr. and Randy Johnson to win 91 games and reach the playoffs, and Meagan Quann takes gold in breast stroke and individual medley at the Sydney Olympics.

The State of Goalkeeping

They are the backstop, the last line of defense charged with stopping shots and saving the day. And if any position is symbolic of the heights which Washington players have attained, it is the goalkeeper.

What began with Willi Lindner and Ballan Campeau became a full-on royal flush by the Eighties. In the Nineties, our exports reached Great Britain and the world stage. By 2000, two keepers from Washington were playing in Europe, and Hope Solo raised the number of collegiate All-Americans at that position to 14 from this state.

Even for such a soccer-mad land, that’s an incredibly large amount. However, it turns out there’s a most logical reason for that quality and quantity. It was not, as some outsiders mused, a matter of our keepers being accustomed to diving because of our lush, rain-soaked lawns on which to land (see Cintrex and original AstroTurf). Instead, it was all about the influence of three coaches whose legacy lives on between the sticks.

In the Sixties, Lindner was the young, hand-picked Seattle Hungarians netminder, and Campeau rose from the local juniors to collegiate stardom at Santa Clara and, later, a roster spot with the original Sounders. However, they were not privy to the expertise still to come.

Via Cliff McCrath’s Northwest Soccer Camp, some English veterans spent up to a fortnight on Whidbey Island. It started with Arsenal legend Bob Wilson and Manchester City’s Joe Corrigan, two former England internationals, giving invaluable coaching to youngsters. Yet it was a lesser-known Paul Barron who truly planted a flag. Barron arrived just as a kid named Kasey Keller was coming through camp. Keller was eager and already beginning to earn acclaim with youth national coaches.

Soon enough, word circulated about Barron and, together with Keller’s rising star, other kids began coming to the island and going home with a wealth of newly acquired wisdom. Soon after Barron, there was a second source expertise in western Washington.

Tony Waiters, another England international and former head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian World Cup team, was brought in from British Columbia by the state youth association to run his World of Soccer camps in Olympia. Waiters, in turn, also trained a surrogate to nurture talent year-round. Rob Walker soon established himself as the go-to goalkeeper coach in the state and region.

“Rob Walker, Tony Waiters and Paul Barron: Those three were very influential,” said Tom Dutra, Sounders FC goalkeeper coach. “Rob probably put more people in the youth national team program than anyone, and he was fantastic as far as building the foundation for youth goalkeepers. Tony Waiters had a real passion to help develop goalkeepers, and then you had Paul coming each summer. They all trained so many good goalkeepers.”

From 1986 through 1992, seven men and women keepers raised in Washington made All-America teams in NAIA, Division II and Division I. Certainly, Keller was the prodigy. He was called to the youth national team at 16, and the 1990 World Cup squad at 19.

Word spread about Barron, and soon enough Matt Olson and Marcus Hahnemann were among the notable campers. Dutra and others would work at Waiters’s camps and train with him on the side. It was akin to an apprenticeship, said Dutra.

Walker was chosen to write U.S. Soccer’s first curriculum for goalkeeping coach licensing.

Top goalies were consuming concentrated doses of Barron and Waiters wisdom, then training periodically on weekends with Walker throughout the year. Keller’s drive and commitment to excellence was contagious. His sure hands, technique and composure proved a calming presence to any back four. Once he signed with Millwall straight out of college, the pathway had been paved.

“Kasey was the big one, first making the youth national team and then going to England,” remembered Dutra. “Myself, I was thinking that if he can do it, I can do it. When Marcus and I were with the A-League Sounders and Kasey was in Europe, we believed we could get there.”

For women, Solo would follow in the footsteps of Amy Allmann and Gretchen Gegg to national selection. Hahnemann would earn his first cap in 1994 and move from MLS to England in 1999. Several others from the state, men and women, would play for the U.S. or professionally. Injuries contributed to cutting short Dutra’s pro playing career, yet it kickstarted his coaching. He took over some teaching when Walker moved out of state, added club and college assignments, plus train with Keller and Hahnemann during their offseason. In 2006, Dutra joined the Sounders staff. He sees himself as an extension of his mentors, Waiters and Walker.

“There’s no chance I’d be here today if it wasn’t for those guys,” he said. “They were helping me become a goalkeeper, but they had no idea someday I’d become a coach. And they did it with class. That old guard, they did it with class.”

Year in Review
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Season Record
18-7-3, 4th A-League (Semifinal)
Coach
Neil Megson (5th year)
Best XI
Darren Sawatzky
Top Scorer
Greg Howes (17 goals)
COLLEGIATE
Men's Collegiate Postseason
Washington D1, 2nd rnd Seattle Pacific D2, 1st rnd
Women's Collegiate Postseason
Washington D1, 3rd rnd Washington State D1 , 1st rnd Puget Sound D3, 2nd rnd
Men's Conference Champions
Seattle Pacific (T-PacWest), Washington (Pac-10)
Women's Conference Champions
Puget Sound (NWC), Seattle University (PacWest), Washington (Pac-10)
NWAC Men's Champion
Tacoma d Bellevue, 3-2
NWAC Women's Champion
Edmonds d North Idaho, 2-0
WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER
President
Ron Copple
Member Associations
37
Players
124,000 (89,280 boys 34,720 girls)
Largest Attendance
3,563, Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver 86ers, Memorial Stadium

2000: The State of Goalkeeping

It's not luck that Washington has produced an inordinately big number of top-class goalkeepers. It all traces back to three English coaches who found their way here.

Ritchie Ends Stalemate, Huskies Advance
November 17, 2000

The longest match in Washington's history has a happy ending. Bryn Ritchie ends a 141-minute scoreless stalemate by heading in Mark Hogenhout's corner kick for the 13th-ranked Huskies to beat No. 14 Alabama-Birmingham, 1-0, in an NCAA first-round game on Montlake. The four-overtime affair is 8:03 away from penalties when Ritchie scores his sixth goal. While the match starts in mid-30s, it's well below 30 by the end of the 3 hour, 18-minute contest.

Redhawks Advance to NAIA Regional Final
November 10, 2000

Carrie Geraghty's clutch save sends Seattle University past host Concordia in the semifinals of the NAIA West Regional women's soccer tournament in Portland. Geraghty stops Concordia's final tiebreaker attempt as the Redhawks prevail, 0-0 (5-4).

Sounders Selects Fall to Spokane
May 7, 2000

Seattle Sounders Selects open the PDL season with a 3-2 loss to the Spokane Shadow at Memorial Stadium. After Garth Cummings put the visitors in front, Scott Burcar and Ben Somoza reply for the Selects, who hold a 2-1 halftime lead. The Shadow get goals from Abbas Faridnia and Garth Cummings seven minutes apart midway through the second half, then hang on for the win.

Seattle U Downs SPU, Extends Slide
September 13, 2000

Ian Chursky's penalty kick with 12 minutes remaining is the difference in Seattle University's 3-2 win over Seattle Pacific at Championship Field. It marks the first time the Falcons (2-4-0) have lost four straight games in a single season. Chursky finishes with two goals.

Indiana Eliminates UW Again
November 25, 2000

Two-time defending NCAA champion Indiana sends Washington out of the tournament with a 2-1 second-round win at Husky Soccer Field. Ben Somoza's free kick at the six-minute mark puts the Huskies in front. Six minutes later, the Hoosiers tie it, and at 52:18 Matt Fundenberger gives the visitors the lead. It's the second year in a row IU has eliminated UW. Indiana goes on to finish runner-up.

One Last Goal for Akers
August 13, 2000

Coming on as a substitute following shoulder surgery in April, Michelle Akers scores her 105th goal for the U.S. in a 7-1 beating of Russia at Annapolis, Md. Team USA was coming off a 5-match trip through Europe during which they scored just five goals. It proves to be the final international goal for Akers, who in 1985 scored the team's historic first goal.

French Replaces Akers on Olympic Team
August 28, 2000

On the eve of the national team's departure for Australia, Michelle French is named to replace the newly-retired Michelle Akers on the U.S. roster. French, captain of the U21 national team, has nine full caps and can play several positions. She had originally been one of four alternates for April Heinrichs for the 18-player squad. However, she does not see game action during the tournament, which ends with the USWNT taking the silver by virtue of a 3-2 loss to Norway in the final.

Watson Keeps Selects' Hopes Alive
July 22, 2000

Joe Watson's brace keeps the Seattle Sounders Selects playoff hopes alive by scoring in a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Willamette Valley Firebirds. Watson scores two goals in the final 13 minutes of the game including the winner in the 90th minute to erase a 2-1 deficit and help the Selects end a seven-game winless streak (0-6-1). Nick Downing converts a penalty kick for Seattle two minutes after halftime to knot the score at 1-1.

Hope Solo Makes Her International Debut
April 5, 2000

Hope Solo, a freshman at Washington, makes her international debut for the U.S. National Team. Solo, 18, makes two saves in an 8-0 win over Iceland in a closed-door friendly at Davidson, N.C.

Erikson, Notre Dame Advance to Final Four
November 24, 2000

Meotis Erikson scores in overtime to push Notre Dame past Santa Clara, 2-1, and onto the NCAA semifinals at South Bend, In. Erikson's winner, her 13th goal of the year, comes five minutes into the extra period. Nancy Mikacenic also starts for the top-ranked Irish, who are eliminated by North Carolina, 2-1, with Erikson assisting on the ND goal. She totals two goals and four assists during the postseason run and finishes her career with 59 goals 46 assists.

Portland's Tacoma Move May Be Off
July 3, 2000

A proposed move by the Portland Pythons to Tacoma grows tentative. Net worth for Peregrine Capital Inc., the club owner, has tumbled along with the stock market. Peregrine has laid off coach Ralph Black of Tacoma. World Indoor Soccer League will decide in August whether to approve the team's request to operate anywhere in 2001.

Seattle Pacific to Add Women's Varsity
March 7, 2000

At long last, Seattle Pacific University announces it will add women's soccer as a varsity sport beginning in 2001. The men's program is among the most successful in NCAA Division II. Women had formed a club program at SPU in 1976, however a lack of home facility hindered efforts until Interbay Stadium opened in 1997. Athletic director Tom Box and McCrath have enlisted the expertise of Seattle native and U.S. World Cup star Michelle Akers. She will advise administrators in the further development of the team and hiring of a head coach. President Philip Eaton says plans progressed since then, and women's soccer was designated as the next new sport in the athletic department's five-year plan of 1997. Plans call for the inaugural team to have two full scholarships, with that number to rise incrementally to four by 2004.

Sounders Target Fife for Stadium
August 9, 2000

Fife has become the Seattle Sounders' preferred site for a a soccer facility and stadium, according to city officials. A parcel of 80 acres would house a 5,000-seat stadium, plus seven fields adjacent fields and on-site living and training quarters. It would be the Sounders' home stadium for A-League play and could be used as a training facility by a Seattle MLS franchise. The cost, along with money for youth foundations, scholarships and operating expenses, is $20-30 million, and the stadium capacity could be expanded to 15,000 later.

WUSA Approves Eight Charter Cities
April 10, 2000

The Women's United Soccer Association approves charter teams for eight cities: Atlanta, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Orlando-Tampa, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington. Listed as alternates were: Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Portland, St. Louis and Raleigh-Durham which later replaces the Florida cities. Seattle was not in the running.

Huskies Are for Real, Beat Stanford
October 6, 2000

Washington erases any doubts of whether it rates among the nation's elite, opening Pac-10 play with a 1-0 victory over No. 12 Stanford. Tami Bennett scores her 11th goal of the season in the 17th minute, deflecting a Katie Goodeve cross into the corner of the net. Hope Solo and the 8th-ranked Huskies defense holds strong for the first win over the Cardinal in 11 meetings.

Howe Named Timbers Coach
July 17, 2000

Bobby Howe, once Washington's state youth coaching director, is named head coach of the Portland Timbers. Howe, who resigned as U.S. Soccer's director of coaching education in April, will guide the new A-League team which begins play at renovated Civic Stadium in 2001.

Hahnemann Gets First Fulham Start
August 22, 2000

Marcus Hahnemann makes his senior debut for First Division Fulham in a 1-0 League Cup loss at Northampton Town. Hahnemann also plays the second leg but makes only two league appearances as the Cottagers win the First Division and return to the top flight for the first time since 1968.

Snohomish Earns First Boys' Title
May 27, 2000

Snohomish brings the state 4A boys' title back to the west side of the state following a 1-0 win over Port Angeles in Vancouver. Jason Tornquist, a defender, comes forward to put home Will Van Duine's long throw into the box in the 49th minute. The previously unbeaten Roughriders another Snohomish chance off the line in the 56th minute. Brian Harrison makes six saves to preserve the Panthers' first championship.

Community Rallies for Kevin Jones
August 21, 2000

Community soccer leaders Cliff McCrath and Alan Hinton host a fundraiser match featuring former Sounders to benefit Kevin Jones. The Bellevue Christian coach, Jones is battling ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Proceeds from the Kevin Jones Cup at Interbay Stadium will help pay for his escalating medical bills. Jones, confined to a wheelchair shortly after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in September 1997, coached the Bellevue Christian boys to a Class A/B state title last fall. A halftime auction and admission from the two games raises more than $92,000. Former Sounders and guest players come from as far as Florida to take part.

Sounders-Bremen Connection Brings Player
July 14, 2000

Seattle Sounders acquire the services of defender Tim Steidten from Werder Bremen of the German Bundesliga for the remainder of the A-League season soccer and playoffs. Steidten, 21, was obtained on a loan as part of the Sounders-Werder Bremen affiliation that includes player exchanges. He plays in 12 regular season and playoff games. In August, Bainbridge's Cameron Lawler is among five players chosen to train at Bremen. In November, the Sounders' U14 and U16 boys teams travel to Bremen for a weeklong tour.

Falcons' Garner Completes Hat Trick of Hat Tricks
October 16, 2000

Dana Garner scores a hat trick in his third straight game for Seattle Pacific, a 13-0 rout of Montana State Billings at Interbay. After scoring four times in the first nine outings, Garner now has 10 goals in the last four, including earlier hat tricks vs. Chico State (7-1) and Northwest Nazarene (13-1).

Akers Makes Final USWNT Appearance
August 20, 2000

Fifteen years after making her debut as a 19-year-old, Michelle Akers earns her 153rd and final cap in the United States' 1-1 draw vs. Canada in Kansas City, Mo. Less than a month before the Summer Olympics begin in Australia, Akers comes on as a second-half substitute for Mia Hamm.

Sounders Circulate Ambitious Plan
October 26, 2000

Sounders co-owner Neil Farnsworth appears before Public Stadium Authority and shares the club's three-year plan, which includes an MLS team. Farnsworth says the MLS team would take the name of the A-League team and become Sounders Premier. The organization would create a top-level amateur team, Sounders Select, and youth teams called Sounders United.

Women's United Soccer Association Forms
February 15, 2000

America's first professional women's league is formed by John Hendricks, founder of the Discovery Channel. The Women's United Soccer Association will begin play in April 2001 in eight cities. Seattle, however, is not among the 15 markets under consideration. Salaries will average $40,000 for a five-month season, and the projected average attendance is 6,500.

Yakima Wins PDL Western Conference
August 6, 2000

Mike Pardini's first-half strike is the only goal as the Yakima Reds punch their ticket to the PDL finals. The Reds blank the Colorado Comets, 1-0, at Spokane's Joe Albi Stadium. Pardini, a sophomore at Seattle Pacific, gets clear of a scrum and laces his shot into the net in the 36th minute.

Daligcon Helps Rochester Win A-League
September 30, 2000

Nate Daligcon starts for Rochester in the Raging Rhinos' 3-1 win over Minnesota for a second A-League title in three years in front of a crowd of 14,276 at Frontier Field. Daligcon also started in the 1998 final.

Seattle Pacific Clinches PacWest
October 19, 2000

Erik Skipper's header snaps a 1-1 tie with 17 minutes to go and Seattle Pacific pulls away to beat Seattle University, 4-1, in a downpour at Interbay to clinch the Pacific West Conference championship. The Falcons proceed to finish the regular season on a 12-game unbeaten (11-0-1) run to reach the NCAA tournament for a Division II record 28th time in 29 years.

Keller Injured, Rayo Run Ends
March 5, 2000

Rayo Vallecano's 10-match unbeaten run ends in a 1-0 loss to Alaves, during which Kasey Keller suffers a dislocated collarbone. Keller had three shutouts during the 8-0-2 streak. He will miss the next two months.

Washington Wins Pac-10 Men's for First Time
November 10, 2000

Kai Carroll scores a pair of first-half goals and three altogether, powering 13th-ranked Washington to a 4-2 win at Cal. The victory, combined with No. 1 Stanford's loss to UCLA, clinches the first Pac-10 men's championship. The Huskies had won the last two Mountain Pacific Sports Federation titles. Carroll's most important goal is his third, after the Bears rally from 3-nil down to 3-2. Jake Sagare assists on three goals, and Mark Hogenhout accounts for the other UW score.

Shorthanded Yakima Bounced from Playoffs
August 13, 2000

Playing shorthanded, the Yakima Reds are clouted, 5-2, by the Michigan Bucks in a PDL semifinal in Saginaw. The Reds are missing eight players who were recalled to their college teams. Yakima also falls, 5-2, to Rochester in the consolation game the next day. Chicago defeats Michigan, 1-0, for the title.

McAlister Carries Kennedy Past Lakeside
May 27, 2000

Bobby McAlister's hat trick fuels Kennedy's 4-1 victory over Lakeside in the boys' 3A final at Vancouver's Kiggins Bowl. It's Kennedy's second title in four years. McAlister, who also scored three goals in the Lancers' semifinal win over Blanchet, scores the go-ahead goal in the 64th minute. He then adds another eight minutes later to make it 3-1 before Eun Kang Chung's final tally two minutes from time. Chris Pohl scores for the Lions.

Seattle U Wins PacWest Women's
November 4, 2000

Sheryl Williams secures the PacWest title for Seattle University with a penalty kick in the regular season finale at Monmouth, Ore. Williams scores at 56:11 for the fifth-ranked Redhawks' 1-0 victory over Western Oregon. Because SU is in the final year of transition to NCAA membership, it is ineligible for that postseason competition and instead will go to NAIA district playoffs.

Tolentino Sparks Loggers
September 13, 2000

Tye Tolentino scores three of Puget Sound's five second-half goals as the Loggers beat Evergreen State's Geoducks 5-0 at Tacoma. Tolentino, a senior, finishes with career records of 31 goals and 33 assists.

Akers Retires as U.S. International
August 24, 2000

Michelle Akers, considered the greatest women's player of all-time, announces her retirement from international competition. With three weeks to go until the Olympics begin, Akers, 34, cites mounting injuries. She has had more than a dozen knee operations, numerous concussions, a broken cheekbone and related nasal surgery, and most recently a dislocated shoulder, suffered March 27. Akers returned to the team in July but re-injured her shoulder against Russia on Aug. 15. She retires as the all-time leading scorer of the Women's World Cup (12 goals), and as one of only four players in history with 100 or more career goals. With 105 goals, 37 assists and 247 total points, she trails only Mia Hamm in all-time scoring for the U.S. National Team. She holds U.S. records for most goals in a game (five), most goals and points in a calendar year (39 goals in 1991) and most consecutive games with a goal (nine).

Bernie James Announces Retirement
September 10, 2000

Bernie James, the oldest active professional player in North America, announces he will retire at the end of the Sounders' season. James, 42, started his career at 18 with the original NASL Sounders in 1977. He has played indoor and outdoor ever since, including the Tacoma Stars and resurrected A-League Sounders since their start in 1994. James is also an assistant to coach Neil Megson.

Wagner Scores Four , Huskies Win Pac-10
October 29, 2000

Senior Theresa Wagner scores four goals and adds an assist, helping No. 4-ranked Washington win its first Pac-10 women's championship with a 6-1 victory over Oregon in Eugene. The Huskies (17-1), who have won 11 consecutive games, are the only undefeated team (8-0) in conference play. UW is the first team outside California to win the Pac-10 title. Wagner scores two goals in the opening six minutes. Tami Bennett makes it 3-nil with her 15th goal of the season and 33rd of her career, both Husky records. Wagner converts a penalty kick at 30:06 to tie the school single-game scoring record of four goals established by Emily Thompson in 1994.

Sounders Select Women Win Opener
June 10, 2000

Seattle Sounders Select Women get off to a fast start, winning their inaugural match, 5-0, over the Spokane Chill at Joe Albi Stadium. Janelle Munnis of Mountlake Terrace leads the way with two goals, Joanie Gerpheide adds two assists, and Tami Bennett has the first goal and an assist. Lindsey Jorgensen makes two saves to earn the shutout.

Lakeside Takes Back Girls' 3A
November 18, 2000

Lakeside scores twice in two minutes, then hangs on to wrest back the girls' 3A championship against West Valley. The Lions, with goals in the 24th and 26th minutes, defeat the Rams, 2-1, at Federal Way for their second title in three years and fourth overall. Eve Russell's free kick gives Lakeside the lead, and then Mary Kuder, one of four freshman starters, heads in Russell's corner kick. Jennifer Springer pulls West Valley a goal back with her header with 6:42 remaining.

Farrell Scores, Crew Upsets Wizards
July 15, 2000

Jason Farrell scores in Columbus's 2-0 upset win over Kansas City at Crew Stadium. It's Farrell's third goal of the season and 11th in career league play. The Wizards go on to win MLS Cup.

Loggers Win NWC Title
October 28, 2000

Julie Louis scores the game-winner in the 55th minute as Puget Sound clinches the Northwest Conference title, beating Whitworth, 1-0, at Baker Stadium. The Loggers win their first NWC crown along with the automatic NCAA Division III berth.

Kansas City Wins MLS Cup with WA Help
October 15, 2000

Two products of Washington start and finish the job for Kansas City in a 1-0 win over Chicago for MLS Cup at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Brandon Prideaux is in the Wizards XI on defense, with Chris Henderson in midfield. Former Tacoma Stars great Preki also features for K.C.

MLS Takes Huskies' Hart Seventh
February 6, 2000

Washington midfielder Wes Hart is taken with the seventh overall pick by Colorado in the MLS SuperDraft. It's the earliest selection yet for a player from a state college. Ricci Greenwood of Seattle Pacific went 20th to Columbus in 1996.

Erikson Scores, Irish Reclaim No. 1
September 17, 2000

Kennewick's Meotis Erikson scores her 50th career goal to give Notre Dame a 1-0 win at the University of Portland. The Irish victory consequently restores their No. 1 ranking. Erikson, a senior, also scored and added an assist the day before in a 5-0 thrashing of Washington.

Cougars Upset Huskies, Reach NCAAs
November 3, 2000

Fans spill onto the field following the final whistle of Washington State's upset of Pac-10 champion Washington in Pullman. Freshman Kim Morgan scores in the second overtime for the 1-0 victory, the Huskies' only conference loss. Hope Solo makes 12 saves for UW. Boosted by the win, the Cougars receive an at-large NCAA berth for the first time since 1994.

Peninsula Names Field for Retiring Coach
May 23, 2000

Peninsula High School names its field after retiring coach Larry Madden. The unflappable Madden is surprised and humbled by the honor. It comes at the end of nearly three decades as Peninsula's only coach. Some 250 people – including more than a hundred current and former players – attend the team's awards dinner in Gig Harbor, where the announcement is made.

Spokane Premier Control Shifts
June 29, 2000

Spokane Shadow takes over organization of premier programs from the Spokane Youth Sports Association, which operates the Spokane Skyhawks. The Shadow is significantly more expensive than other clubs. Registration for the Skyhawks is $80 per season.

Solo Plays Close to Home
May 5, 2000

Hope Solo earns her second cap close to home, relieving Siri Mullinix in an friendly vs. Mexico at Portland's Civic Stadium. Mullinix and Solo combine for the shutout in an 8-0 win. Regular starter Briana Scurry is out with a thigh injury.

Akers, Keller Reign as Players of the Year
January 15, 2000

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.

Keller Wins Honda Award
March 13, 2000

Kasey Keller becomes the first goalkeeper to win the Honda Player of the Year award for the top U.S. player in 1999. A four-time finalist, Keller finishes 108 votes ahead of Claudio Reyna and 200 more than 1998 winner Cobi Jones.

Locals Involved in Men's Olympics
August 31, 2000

Head coach Clive Charles is among the local connections on the U.S. Olympic Team bound for Australia. Charles was FC Seattle Cozars women's coach. The team trainer is Gig Harbor physical therapist Bruce Snell, who was with the Tacoma Stars throughout the Eighties. Brian Winters of Tacoma is an alternate on the playing roster.

Sounders Women Finish Unbeaten
August 26, 2000

Laurie Klein's two goals lead Seattle Sounders Select Women over the Puget Sound All-Stars, 5-1, in the final match of the inaugural season at Memorial Stadium. The Sounders Women are moving forward with plans to join the W-League for 2001. Seattle went 8-0-3, outscored opponents 40-4 and captured the provisional W-League title.

Dunn Named NPSL Top Defender
April 20, 2000

James Dunn is named the NPSL Defender of the year and is joined on the all-league first team by twin brother and Wichita Wings teammate Jason Dunn. James finished with 128 blocks and 22 goals. Jason was third in league scoring with 203 total points.

Simon Fraser topples Seattle U Women
November 11, 2000

Top-seeded Simon Fraser denies a Seattle University comeback in the NAIA Region I championship match at Portland, ending the Redhawks' season. Phebe Trotman and Sharon Lehnert score late in the first half for the Clan. Heather Hartstein pulls SU a goal back, but the rally stalls there. The 18 wins (18-4-0) ties the program record of 1993.

UPS Women Bounced Out in Overtime
November 4, 2000

Puget Sound's best season in 12 years ends at the NCAA West Regional semifinals in Salem, losing to Chapman, 2-1, in overtime. The Panthers' Stacie Lopez hooked an 18-yard shot just inside the far post 6:37 into overtime to upset No. 3-ranked UPS.

Sawatzky Goal Takes Sounders Streak to Nine
September 2, 2000

Darren Sawatzky and the Sounders will not be denied. Sawatzky's goal in the 66th minute nudges Seattle past the Bay Area Seals, 2-1, for a ninth straight win in Hayward, Ca. Scott Jenkins puts the visitors up in the seventh minute but theSeals knot it by halftime. Craig Tomlinson wins possession and quickly finds Sawatzky for his 16th goal and ninth during the win streak.

Russell Nets First MLS Goal
June 24, 2000

Ian Russell scores his first MLS goal in the second minute of injury time to pull San Jose into a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire, extending the Earthquakes' home unbeaten streak to 14 games. Russell, after two years with the Sounders, was drafted by the Quakes and has become a regular starter.

Pac-10 Begins Men's Play
February 5, 2000

Washington joins four other teams leaving the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation to form the Pac-10 men's conference. The five schools - Washington, UCLA, Stanford, California and Oregon State - will not qualify as an NCAA-sanctioned conference because six teams are required. The move, prompted by weakened strength-of-schedule and poor geographic layout, is approved during Pac-10 winter meetings in San Francisco. There has been Pac-10 women's play since 1993.

Tolstolutsky Owns New SPU Assists Mark
October 20, 2000

Senior Vadim Tolstolutsky earns his 43rd career assist to break the Seattle Pacific record in a 2-1 win over Simon Fraser. Tolstolutsky, who had a career-best four assists two weeks earlier vs. Northwest Nazarene, finishes with 44 for four years. Scott Cairns (1983-86) had 42.

Galaxy Ousts Sounders from Open Cup
June 14, 2000

Cobi Jones gets the winning goal with 17 seconds left in regulation, lifting the Los Angeles Galaxy past the Seattle Sounders, 2-1, in a U.S. Open Cup second-round game at Titan Stadium in Fullerton. After Greg Vanney's penalty puts L.A. in front, Greg Howes ties it for the Sounders in the 48th minute.

Akers, French Allocated by WUSA
May 24, 2000

The Women's United Soccer Association begins stocking its eight franchises by allocating 19 U.S. National Team players. Shoreline's Michelle Akers is assigned to Orlando and Kent's Michelle French to Washington, D.C.

University Prep Goes Undefeated in A/B Girls
November 18, 2000

Seattle's University Prep becomes the first new state girls' A/B in eight years with a 4-0 win over Cedar Park Christian at Auburn. Seattle Christian had won the previous seven, the first four not being WIAA sanctioned. The Pumas finish their season undefeated (16-0-2). They seize control with first-half goals three minutes apart from Karina Miller and Chloe Jones. Michelle Gorski and Laura Kerr add second period scores.

Henderson Brace Beats Crew
July 22, 2000

Chris Henderson's first career brace comes in the final 16 minutes of a 3-1 victory by Kansas City over Columbus. Henderson assists on the first Wizards goal. After the Crew ties it, he restores the lead in the 84th minute and adds insurance in the 81st. Henderson finishes with a career-high nine goals.

Keller, Rayo Advance in UEFA Cup
December 7, 2000

Kasey Keller's clean sheet is half the equation of Rayo Vallecano's 2-0 home win over Lokomotiv Moscow to reach the fourth round of the UEFA Cup. Keller had a shutout in a pivotal, 1-0 second-round win at Molde of Norway. Rayo, after finishing ninth in La Liga, had gone through qualifiers to reach tournament proper.

Megson, Howes Reap A-League Awards
September 28, 2000

Neil Megson is named A-League Coach of the Year after leading the Sounders to the Pacific Division title, their first since 1994. Seattle went 18-7-3 for it's best win percentage in Megson's five years. A day earlier, Greg Howes won Rookie of the Year honors and Darren Sawatzky was named first team all-league. Howes, a Tacoma native who attended Oregon State, led the team with 17 goals and 41 points. In his first season back home, Sawatzky had 16 goals.

Four Washington Players Drafted in WUSA
December 10, 2000

Four months before launching play, WUSA conducts its first player draft, and three Washington State Youth Soccer Association products are selected. Spokane's Kim Stiles, who plays at the University of Portland, is chosen by Boston in the ninth round with the 69th overall pick. Seattle's Theresa Wagner, from UW, is next, going 72nd to San Jose. Federal Way's Justi Baumgardt, also of Portland, is drafted 74th by Washington. Two months later, Kennewick’s Meotis Erikson of Notre Dame goes to Boston with the 11th pick in the supplemental draft.

Kuska Hat Trick Beats OSU
October 29, 2000

Jason Kuska's hat trick propels Gonzaga Bulldogs to a 4-1 non-conference win over Oregon State. Brian Ching's goal gives the Zags the initial lead. Kuska doubles it 5:42 into the second half. After the Beavers score, he puts the game out of reach with goals at 78:31 and 81:42. Gonzaga has now won six out of seven, including three straight in the WCC, to move into postseason contention.

Penalties Boost Bellarmine in Girls' 4A
November 18, 2000

Carin Larkin's goal in the sixth round of the shootout, coupled with sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Rasmussen's save, lifts Bellarmine to the girls' 4A championship over Roosevelt, 0-0 (4-3) at Federal Way. It's the fourth title for the Lions. In the shootout, Bellarmine gets goals from Christine Mintz, Katie Buser and Kim Butler before Larkin's clincher. Rasmussen, who had eight stops during regulation and overtime, goes to her right to save Roosevelt's Leah Peterson with a diving stop to her right. The Roughriders nearly scored in the dying seconds of the first half when Tiffany Fenster shot, but Rasmussen leaps to tip the ball over the net.

Noetzel Debuts for Dallas
September 9, 2000

Johann Noetzel, a rookie from Burien and Seattle Pacific, makes his Dallas Burn debut in the final regular season game. Noetzel's eight saves enable Dallas to beat San Jose, 2-1, in the Cotton Bowl. Noetzel had been drafted by the Sounders but joined the Burn after a trial in March. West Seattle and UW alum Ian Russell assists on the Earthquakes' goal.

Indoor Club May Relocate to Tacoma
February 22, 2000

The World Indoor Soccer League approves a preliminary request from the Portland Pythons to move to Tacoma in 2001. The Pythons averaged 3,164 fans at Portland's Rose Garden last season, the lowest attendance in the team's seven-year history. The eight-team WISL play runs from August to November.

Sounders Moving Back to Memorial
January 15, 2000

Seattle Sounders are returning to downtown following a one-year stay in Renton. The club, citing a need for more field availability, will go back to Memorial Stadium, its home from 1994-98 and, in the NASL era, from 1974-75. Attendance fell by 23 percent, to 2,243, in the first year of a year-to-year, three-year lease at the renovated Renton Memorial. However, the club reasoned it needs greater field access with the addition of the PDL Sounders Selects and the potential of adding a women's team.

Deka DeWitt Hat Trick Beats Arizona
October 13, 2000

Deka DeWitt is Washington State's No. 2 career score but her first hat trick comes late in her senior year. DeWitt scores three times in the Cougars' 4-0 victory at Arizona. She finishes with 12 goals on the year and 40 total.

Hunt Referees Olympic Opener
September 13, 2000

Bellingham's Sandra Hunt whistles to life one of two simultaneous opening matches at the Olympic Games. Hunt is assigned the Sweden-Brazil (0-2) game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

After Just 24 Years, Kingdome Imploded
March 26, 2000

King County Domed Stadium, known more commonly as the Kingdome, turns to rubble during a televised implosion. Scene of many a sports memory over 24 years, the Kingdome is gone in a virtual flash and bang. In 16.8 seconds some 4,500 pounds of dynamite brings down the 25,000-ton concrete roof. Most of the rubble from the Kingdome will be used in projects around the country, but 35 percent will stay as base for the new soccer/football stadium and its parking lots.

Reds Spoil Shadow's Party
August 5, 2000

Despite fielding a depleted lineup, the Yakima Reds upset the nine-man Spokane Shadow, 2-0, in the PDL Western Conference semifinals at Joe Albi Stadium. Yakima, missing its top three scorers who have returned to UW, finally wears down the Shadow in the final stages. Aaron Heinzen scores the game's first goal after 77 minutes. In the 87th minute, Grant Falco, a Spokane native who plays for SPU, doubles the lead.

Sounders Rally to Win Division
August 26, 2000

Down 3-1 with 20 minutes to play, Seattle stages a spectacular comeback to force overtime, then win on golden goal by Greg Howes in the 107th minute over El Paso at Memorial Stadium. The Sounders win clinches the Pacific Division title and completes the first undefeated home season (12-0-2). Howes's first goal starts the rally, and Andrew Gregor ties it on a 35- yard drive in the 83rd minute. viet Nguyen's corner kick is flicked on by Sean Henderson to Howes for the winner.

Zags Go Top in Dying Seconds
November 10, 2000

Justin Franson finds the net with just 64 seconds left in the second overtime, lifting Gonzaga to a 3-2 victory over Portland. It puts the Bulldogs (5-1-0) on top of the West Coast Conference standings, but San Diego wins the next day to earn the automatic NCAA berth.

Waibel Loaned, Plays in Rapids Win
May 17, 2000

No sooner is Sounders defender Craig Waibel called up Colorado and he is inserted into his second MLS match. Waibel plays 57 minutes of the rapids' 4-3 win at New England. Seattle goalkeeper Preston Burpo had been called up by Colorado in April but did not see action.

Big Crowd Sees UW Beat UCLA
October 22, 2000

Tami Bennett delivers the crucial goal four minutes into overtime, and No. 6 Washington edges No. 7 UCLA, 1-0, before a program record crowd of 3,403 at Husky Soccer Stadium. Bennett now has 14 goals and UW's win streak extends to a record nine games. The Huskies remain unbeaten in Pac-10.

Sounders Selects Win Ninth Straight
June 24, 2000

Bryn Ritchie scores in the 80th minute to give the Seattle Sounders Selects a 1-0 victory over the Cascade Surge. It's the Selects' ninth straight win to open the season. Ritchie scores in the 40th minute for the PDL Northwest Division leaders.

French Part of USWNT Exhibition
December 13, 2000

Kent's Michelle French is joined by other U.S. National Team players at KeyArena for the Discovery Health Channel Women's Soccer Challenge. Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain headline the selections from the silver-medalist Olympic team.

Chursky, Seattle U Hammer Fresno Pacific
September 8, 2000

Sophomore Ian Chursky stretches the nets for four goals in Seattle University's 5-3 win at Fresno Pacific. It's the first four-goal game by a Redhawks in 14 years. Chursky, a transfer from Tacoma CC, made his SU debut with a brace against Cal Poly Pomona.

A friend was told by a league official that if his son didn't play select, he'd never get a college scholarship. All of a sudden to be told: you need to go select or you won't be any good, that's a lot of pressure. A 10-, 11- or 12-year-old is being asked to make a career decision. If I could wave a magic wand, I'd get rid of select teams at U-11 and U-12. Programs would be based on desire, not ability. How many potential good players do we lose because they got cut at 10 and 11, not to mention the psychological scars created?
Washington State Youth Soccer Association coaching director Dave Schumacher
There is a high participation rate there, a new stadium, a successful NFL franchise and (pro) soccer has been very successful there in the past...But we have been unable to secure an investor...(and) they have said they have their hands full at this time and have not expressed an active interest in talking to us.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber on Seahawks owner Paul Allen owning an MLS franchise as well
I know that soccer helped to get the stadium approved, but I don't think it's a good business decision to have league-operated teams anymore. It might have made sense years ago, but to take on the additional burden of running a team is not something that's smart for us or Seattle.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber, walking back predecessor Doug Logan's 1997 promise
Once we see an MLS franchise in Portland or Seattle, we'll see it go from a regional league to a truly national league.
WSSA president Tim Busch on what a new MLS team could mean nationally
It's been a hard-fought year, and the decision to not go to Sydney was just as agonizing. But I have huge peace in knowing I fought to the very end and have nothing else to give. The shoulder injury has definitely been one of the toughest ever. Not only because of the physical pain, the surgery, and the rehabilitation, but because of the mental anguish that goes along with trying to come back in a short time frame to make the Olympic team and then having to deal with setback after setback, and complication after complication. I finally said to myself, `This is insane. I was battling at my absolute gut level to just get through the day, and finally, the last straw was that I reinjured the shoulder. I just said enough is enough. I am no good to myself like this, and I am certainly no good to my team.
Michelle Akers announcing what factors led her to retire
If MLS comes here without this club system, I think the chances of success long-term are limited. If they come here with this club system in place in Seattle, I think the chances of success are very high.
Sounders co-owner Neil Farnsworth says club pyramid must precede MLS arrival
There is no doubt that a team in the Northwest would thrive. There are plenty of players here that could definitely draw the interest. Soccer is huge here and they love to come out and watch it. You just have to give it to them.
UW women's coach Lesle Gallimore on the prospect of MLS coming to Seattle's new stadium
What she has been able to achieve over the last five years has been a miracle," said I'm sure that her team, like myself, supports her decision. It is always tough to make that decision to retire and even tougher with the Olympics just three weeks away. Michelle has carried the flag for this country and her departure is the equivalent of a John Elway retiring. We will miss Michelle's heart, soul and courage.
U.S. National Team coach April Heinrichs on Michelle Akers's decision to retire
We had a very, very, very young and inexperienced team at the start of the season, and I think the difference in this team at the start of the season and at the end of the season is like night and day. Now we have to see if they can handle the pressure of the playoffs. I think if we do the things we did in the regular season, we'll have no problems.
Neil Megson on the Sounders' development over the 2000 season
We accomplished a lot that UPS teams haven't, set a lot of first-time records. We wanted to get our program to the point of winning national championships, or suffering big disappointments.
Puget Sound coach Randy Hanson after his team is eliminated in the NCAA Div. III second round
Kevin's so incredible. I wouldn't miss this. I said, "Name the day and I'll be there." A lot of people would have given up with this disease. But Kevin's a fighter and he's at peace with himself and his life. Kevin will do whatever he can as long as he can.
Former Sounder Bruce Rudroff on coming from St. Louis to take part in the Kevin Jones Cup
We had Doug Logan come to Seattle and he guaranteed that we would have an MLS team here, even without an ownership group. Basically, he came here because we asked him. We needed the soccer vote. Then I met with the new commissioner two months ago and he basically was shocked Doug would make that commitment.
Sounders co-owner Neil Farnsworth on Don Garber's view of MLS coming to Seattle's new stadium
She was the best ever, because of her strength, athleticism and skill. Plus, she had such a warrior mentality. It was so common to see players from other teams watching her, looking for her, while they warmed up.
Former USWNT coach Tony DiCicco on Michelle Akers's retirement
College & High School All-America (USC)
Player (Hometown) School (Div/Team/Pos)
Bryn Ritchie (Medford, Or.) Washington (D1/2nd/D)
Hope Solo (Richland) Washington (D1/2nd/G)
Dana Garner (Mountlake Terrace) Seattle Pacific (D2/1st/F)
Anna Nudell Lee (Minneapolis. Mn.) Seattle University (D2/2nd/M)
Sheryl Williams (Kent) Seattle University (D2/3rd/D)
Laura Grinstead (Casper, Wy.) Puget Sound (D3/1st/D)
Ryan Wittstruck (Spokane) Puget Sound (D3/2nd/G)
Collegiate Men's Records
Evergreen 0-16-0
Gonzaga 11-6-0
Northwest 9-7-1
Pacific Lutheran 5-14-0
Puget Sound 12-5-3
Seattle University 10-10-1
Seattle Pacific 13-5-1
Washington 14-6-0
Western Washington 8-9-0
Whitman 9-11-0
Whitworth 11-5-3
Collegiate Women's Records
Central Washington 12-6-1
Eastern Washington 7-11-0
Evergreen 3-15-1
Gonzaga 3-15-0
Pacific Lutheran 5-13-0
Puget Sound 15-2-1
Seattle University 18-4-0
Washington 18-3-0
Washington State 13-7-0
Western Washington 10-8-2
Whitman 1-14-1
Whitworth 6-10-2
Commissioners Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U11 Crossfire Sounders (LWYSA)Fusion (SSCYSA)
U12 Manchester United 84 (NarYSA)MV Marauders (MpVSA)
U13 Harbor FC 86 (TPCJSA)
U14 Chili Peppers (SSCY)Norpoint FC 85 (TPCJSA)
U15 Snohomish United (NCYSA)Columbia Extreme (CYSF)
U16 Skagit Storm (SkVYSA)
U17 Blackhills FC 82 (TCYSA)
U18 CW Revolutions (ECYSA)
U19 Brazil Nationals (SSCYSA)Flurps (MRSA)
PDL, PCL Records
Yakima Reds 12-5-1, 1st Div.
Spokane Shadow 11-4-3, 2nd Div.
Seattle Sounders Women 6-0-2
Seattle Sounders Select 12-5-1, 1st Div.
Professional All-League
Player (Pos) Team (Lg-Tm)
Darren Sawatzky (F) Sounders (AL-1st)
Greg Howes (M) Sounders (AL-1st)
State Youth Recreational Cup Winners
Age BoysGirls
U11 Pumas (D3)/MightyDucks (D5)Blaze (D4)/Dolphins (D2)
U12 Wolfpack (Dist 6)Thunderbolts (Dist 4)
U13 District 6Extreme (Dist 6)
U14 CW Tornadoes (Dist 5)Lady Hawks (Dist 2)
U15 Stars (Dist 2)Foxes (Dist 5)
U16 Hornets (Dist 2)Piranhas (Dist 2)
U17 Arsenals (Dist 4)Bengals (Dist 2)
U18 Screaming Eagles (Dist 4)Fascination (Dist 3)
U19 CYSTR2Crossfire (Dist 4)
Washington State Youth Champions
Age BoysGirls
U12 Cascade Avalanche (NCYSA)FC Royals 88 (TPCJSA)
U13 Snohomish United (NCYSA)Eastside FC 86 (EYSA)
U14 Snohomish United (NCYSA)FC Royals 85 (TPCJSA)
U15 Crossfire Sounders (LWYSA)Emerald City FC 84 (SYSA)
U16 FWU Storm (FWSA)Stellarz Nationals (SSCYSA)
U17 Nemesis Nationals (SSCYSA)FC Royals 82 (TPCJSA)
U18 Maple Valley FC (MRSA)Emerald City FC (SYSA)
U19 FC United 80/TPCJSAFC Royals 80 (TPCJSA)
WIAA Championship Games
Boys 4A Snohomish 1Port Angeles 0
Boys 3A Kennedy 4Lakeside 1
Boys 2A Wahluke 2South Whidbey 1 (OT)
Boys 1A St. George's 3Seattle Christian 2
Girls 4A Bellarmine 0Roosevelt 0 (4-3)
Girls 3A Lakeside 2West Valley 1
Girls 2A East Valley 1Naches Valley 0
Girls 1A University Prep 2Cedar Park Christian 0
On this Day in History