Cole Friesen’s third hat trick of the year fuels Whitworth's 6-2 romp over Willamette at Spokane. Friesen scores at 20’, 57’ and 85’, taking his season total to a record 22 goals. He also assists on Beckett Arthur’s two goals in the opening 19 minutes. Karl Muelheims, the Pirates' assistant coach, held the program record of 21 goals. Friesen eventually takes the new record to 25 goals.

Second-half goals by Kotaro Hirowaka and Leonard Fock allow No. 15 Seattle University to rally and beat UNLV, 2-1, on the road to finish the WAC campaign unbeaten. In their first season under Nate Daligcon, the Redhawks go 7-0-1 in the WAC and 8-0-2 to finish the regular season.

Ballard FC announces that Memorial Stadium will serve as its interim home in 2024. The USL League Two champions could not use Interbay Stadium due to scheduled refitting to be ADA compliant. Ballard FC may be one of the final acts to play at Memorial, opened in 1947 and due for redevelopment and reopening in 2026. It was home to the Sounders' NASL and USL eras, as well as the Seattle Reign early on.

Megan Rapinoe takes one final bow for the U.S. National Team. Rapinoe, 38, sets-up a goal in her 203rd and final international appearance, a 2-0 win over South Africa in Chicago. Her corner kick leads to OL Reign teammate Emily Sonnett's goal, and moments later Rapinoe misses scoring by inches on a free kick. She then comes off to a standing ovation from the 25,622 at Soldier Field. In 17 years, Rapinoe scored 63 goals and 73 assists and was part of champions at the 2012 Olympics and 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

Elysse Bennett's early second-half header is the winner for OL Reign at Portland, 1-0, extending its unbeaten streak in the NWSL Challenge Cup to 13 games. After a late first-half goal was nullified by offside, Bennett heads home Alyssa Malonson's cross in the 56th minute. Laurel Ivory makes two tough saves in stoppage time before 16,252 at Providence Park. Seattle finishes 4-0-2 in Challenge Cup play, but falls to Louisville, 1-0, in the semifinals Sept. 6.

Defending MLS Cup champion LAFC snuffs out Seattle's bid for a third title by silencing the Sounders attack and over 33,000 at Lumen Field in the Western Conference semifinals. Denis Bouanga capitalizes on a midfield turnover to race down the left flank and beat Stefan Frei in the 30th minute. Bouanga has scored at least once in six straight matches. Yeimar sees his equalizing attempt cleared off the line at 76', and Alex Roldan's long drive is tipped away by Maxime Crepeau. It's Seattle's first home playoff loss in 19 games dating back to 2013.

Taika Waititi's feature film "Next Goal Wins" opens nationwide and depicts several members of Washington's soccer community and their roles with the American Samoa National Team in its longshot journey through 2014 World Cup qualifying. Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen, played by Michael Fassbender, is the head coach and central character. Former Tacoma Community College coach Nicky Salapu was Rongen's goalkeeper, and Everett's Larry Mana'o served as the team's assistant coach. A documentary by the same name was released in 2014.

Gonzaga snaps a 15-year winless streak against WCC powerhouse Santa Clara with a nationally-televised 1-0 upset of the No. 15 Broncos at Luger Field. Lauren Towne stops six shots, and Chelsea Le scores a 40' penalty kick set up by a foul on Katelyn Rigg. The Bulldogs had beaten Santa Clara only once before, in 2007. It's their first win over a ranked team since 2017.

OL Reign is starting strong by finishing strong, scoring two second-half goals for the difference in a 2-0 home win over Houston. At 4-0-1 in NWSL play (5-1-2 all comps), the Reign are off to their best start since going 5-0-0 in 2014. It's the 100th NWSL victory since starting in 2013. Veronica Latsko nods in the go-ahead goal at 53' and earns an assist on Jordyn Huitema's 68' clincher. Seattle has outscored opponents 10-1 in the second half.

Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle enter into discussions with One Roof Partnership to redevelop aging Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center. One Roof – comprised of the One Roof Foundation, Seattle Kraken and Oak View Group – proposes to build a new $120 million, 8,000-10,000-person capacity stadium to host student athletics, community events, arts and culture. SPS will continue to own the facility and maintain priority use. The goal is to break ground by the end of 2024 and open by May or June of 2026. The stadium’s rich history and Memorial Wall will be preserved.

OL Reign's Rose Lavelle wins the women's 88th Sports Star of the Year award at Seattle's Westin Hotel. Lavelle scored five goals for the Reign and four for the U.S. National Team, which won the 2022 Concacaf W Championship to earn berths to the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics. Western Washington's NCAA champions were also up for the honor.

Nick Perera tacks on another goal to his all-time team record total as the U.S. finishes the year with a 5-2 friendly beach soccer win at Argentina. Perera, who plays for the Tacoma Stars, assists on the first score and tallies the second. It's the 114th of his career in 94 appearances.

The Central Washington Sounders Elite Academy team win the National Premier League boys' U14 title in Denver by defeating the HDS Eagles (Ill.), 3-1. In the U19 girls' final, CCV Stars (Az.) edge FC Edmonds, 2-1, in overtime.

Megan Rapinoe scores two quick second-half goals to send OL Reign to a 3-0 win at Chicago, clinching a playoff berth in the final regular season match. Rapinoe, whose pro career started with the WPS Red Stars in 2009, scores her first goals in free play since a win over Chicago in April. The first comes from the edge of the box in the 47th minute, and at 50' she slips in another. The Reign, which had been winless in four (0-2-2), finish fourth in the table.

Gonzaga parlays its first postseason home-field advantage into advancement in the NCAA tournament, defeating Idaho, 1-0, before a record crowd of 1,874 at Luger Field. It's the Bulldogs' first playoff win and only their second NCAA match. Marissa Garcia scores on a 19-yard free kick in the 16th minute. Lauren Towne makes two saves for the 19th-ranked Zags.

Tacoma Stars scoring giant Steve Zungul and Hope Solo, unrivaled great goalkeeper for Richland, Washington, Reign and U.S. National Team, are inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. While Zungul is joined by four others in the Class of 2023, Solo had deferred her induction from 2022. The all-time scoring leader and six-time MVP in the MISL, Zungul is the first member chosen primarily for his play indoors, including 1986-88 with Tacoma. Solo won two World Cups and Olympic gold medals, was twice the World Cup Golden Glove winner and was the first keeper named U.S. Soccer Player of the Year in 2009. The late journalist Grant Wahl, who once resided in Seattle, is posthumously honored with the Colin Jose Media Award.

Washington adds its fourth USL League Two club on Boxing Day as Midlakes United announces it will begin play in 2024 at Bellevue College. The following day, owner and general manager Treencee Russell names local legend Justi Baumgardt Yamada as the first known female head coach of a USL men's team.

In its postseason debut, Oly Town FC upsets Utah’s Park City Red Wolves in emphatic fashion, 4-0, at Interbay Stadium. The Artesians, who doubled their regular season win total to six, start on the front foot, getting first-half goals from Habib Famuditimi and Gil De La Luz. Park City had won the Mountain Division unbeaten (7-0-3) while allowing only seven goals. Cameron Miller and Cooper Brunell pad the margin for Oly in the second half.

Washington State Legends of Soccer becomes a museum partner to Sounders FC through the 2024 anniversary season. WA Legends will provide resources and expertise as the club marks the 50th anniversary of professional soccer arriving with the NASL club in 1974. In the past, WA Legends has collaborated with the Sounders on exhibits and celebrations, including the 50th anniversary celebration of Title IX’s enactment in 2022, Golden Scarf presentations as well as many of the organization’s community events and game day booths.

Kevin Moon, an experienced youth coach and academy director in Spokane, is named interim head coach for the Whitworth men. Moon, who also had served as an assistant under three Pirates coaches, replaces Jeremy Payne. After going 19-24-6 in three seasons, Payne resigned May 15. Whitworth goes 12-4-4 under Moon, who has the interim tag removed Dec. 7.

After losing two of their last three and going a goal down on the road, Seattle Pacific turns matters around to upset No. 2-ranked and undefeated Colorado School of Mines, 2-1, in Golden, Colo. Taylor Krueger answers the Orediggers' opener in the 35th minute, then finds freshman substitute Andi Buckley for the winner midway through the second half. It's the start of a 15-game unbeaten run for the Falcons.

Stuart Hawkins of Fox Island and the Sounders Academy is named to the United States Youth National Team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia. Hawkins, a central defender, starts the final three of the four U.S. matches. Germany eliminates the Americans, 3-2, in the Round of 16.

Guided by Washington's Amy Griffin, the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Team defeats Turkey, 3-0, to win its third World Championship in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. Fall City's Paris Price starts the final, plus three other matches. She contributes two assists during the tournament.

St. Louis City, the surprising, first-year frontrunner, is taken down a notch by the rising Sounders, 3-0, with all the scoring coming in the final 25 minutes. Local, 21-year-old lad Josh Atencio's 25-yard cannon shot in the 65th minute opens the way to Seattle's third win in a row. The Sounders (5-1-1) also get a Raul Ruidiaz strike and an own goal to overtake St. Louis for first in the Western Conference. Stefan Frei gets the shutout in his club-record 232nd start.

Seattle's Henry Wingo scores as Ferencvaros wins its fifth straight to open the Hungarian first division season, 6-1, at MTK. It's Wingo's first league goal and second overall for the defender in five seasons with Ferencvaros, which has won the last five league titles.

Seemingly comfortable in tight games, Seattle Pacific finds the goal to separate from Cal State L.A., 1-0, and advance to the third round of the NCAA tournament at Interbay Stadium. Lauren Forster finishes Taylor Krueger's cross at the far post in the 56th minute. Mercedes Cullen makes four second-half saves to secure the shutout, and the Falcons win their 10th one-goal game. They fall to Point Loma, the eventual champion, in the following round.

In Canada's opening match against Nigeria in Melbourne, Australia, OL Reign midfielder Quinn becomes the first out transgender player to play at a FIFA World Cup. Quinn starts and plays the full 90 of a 0-0 draw. They went on to play each of Canada's three matches (1-1-1).

Club legend Fredy Montero adds to his legacy and impressive goal total with an extra time, stoppage time penalty kick in the Sounders' 5-4 U.S. Open Cup win over the San Diego Loyal at Starfire Stadium. For the first time since 2017, Seattle advances in the tournament, to the round of 32. Montero, who also scored the game's opener, takes his club record scoring total to 78 in all competitions, including 10 in Open Cup play. Ethan Dobbelaere and Reed Baker-Whiting notch their first Sounders goals, and Paul Rothrock comes off the bench to score as well, helping offset Joe Corona's two goals and assist for the USL Loyal.

The Sounders release their second Community Kit, which is a tribute to legendary martial artist and actor Bruce Lee, who attended high school and college in Seattle. August 2023 will mark the 50th anniversary of Lee's final film, 'Enter the Dragon,' and the ruby-red jersey features a hand-drawn dragon. the kit makes its debut March 18.

Seattle and Lumen Field are among 11 U.S. venues proposed in the joint bid by the United States and Mexico for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Seattle, like the other 10 American cities, is a host venue for the 2026 men's World Cup. Magnuson Park, the University of Washington, Starfire and Genesee Playfield in Columbia City are listed as potential training sites.

Paul Rothrock makes a profound impact in his first MLS appearance, scoring the Sounders' winning goal four minutes into his substitute shift at Houston. A Seattle native who had been playing for Tacoma Defiance, is signed on a short-term loan on match day. He debuts in the 83rd minute and scores to snap a scoreless tie in the 87th minute. Seattle is now 11-1-0 against Houston in the last 12 meetings. Rothrock, who played in the Sounders Academy before college, made two U.S. Open Cup appearances for the Sounders in the previous three weeks, scoring in each.

Ballard FC caps a storybook second season with a record attendance, dramatic winner and a USL League Two championship at Starfire Stadium. The Salmon-clad Seattle side defeats Virginia's Lionsbridge, 2-1, before a capacity crowd of 3,416 to finish 15-1-1 across all competitions. scoring sensation Stas Korzeniowski strips a defender and rips his shot into the right corner in the 24th minute. Although the visitors see a 33' red card, they battle back to equalize at 80'. Soon after, Korzeniowski gets a second yellow, making it 10v10. But in the third minute of stoppage time, Peter Kingston whips in a 35-yard free kick that is deflected but still finds the net, setting off pandemonium.

Seemingly destined for their first regular season home win over the Timbers since 2017, the Sounders squander a 2-nil lead and settle for a 2-2 draw. Raul Ruidiaz opens the derby with his first goal in nearly three months (and 12th vs. Portland), then Léo Chú's solo effort doubles the lead on the half-hour. In the 53rd minute, Chú is issued a second yellow card, and shortly thereafter Dairon Asprilla comes off the bench to spark the Portland rally. Asprilla and Evander score three minutes apart to square the score. It is Seattle's second blown two-goal lead in five weeks and it's 1-4-3 in all competitions since July 12.

Seattle International Film Festival Doc Fest features the U.S. premiere of Copa '71 at the SIFF Cinema Uptown. Produced by Serena and Venus Williams, the feature documentary details the first women's tournament of national selections, in 1971 in Mexico. It weaves together archival footage with new interviews to tell the story of a moment virtually erased from history.

Jacqueline Blakeley tallies in the first half, and Taylor Krueger settles matters in the second period as Seattle Pacific beats Western Washington, 2-0, in Bellingham. The Falcons get a draw at Simon Fraser two days later to finish the GNAC slate undefeated (9-0-5). It's the 10th regular season title for SPU and second in three years.

Sounders Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan come off the bench for the U.S. National Team in its Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal in San Diego. Morris heads a long ball down for Jesus Ferreira to volley for the extra-time equalizer versus Panama. Morris converts his penalty in the resulting shootout, but Roldan's sixth-round attempt is saved, and Panama advances, 1-1 (5-4).

The Northwest Conference women's crown stays with Pacific Lutheran for the seventh year in a row following a 2-0 home win over Lewis & Clark. It's the Lutes' fourth consecutive shutout victory. Hannah Cecil scores at 13', and Lyla Merte adds insurance early in the second half.

Ballard's Rough & Tumble and Ballard FC join Common Goal, pledging 1% of their business revenue to sport-based social initiatives. Rough & Tumble will direct its ongoing donation to Football For Her, a California-based nonprofit, co-founded by OL Reign captain Lauren Barnes, that provides safe spaces for young people who identify as female or nonbinary to play soccer. Ballard FC pledged its revenue toward Common Goal's Play Proud initiative, to make communities and stadiums safer for LGBTQ+ people.

Charlie Lanphier makes six saves to keep it close, but Seattle University succumbs to Oregon State in overtime, 2-1, in the first-round NCAA game at Corvallis. The Beavers who lost at Seattle U Sept. 7 despite a commanding advantage in shots, are aggressive again, finishing 23-3 in shots. Although Mo Mohamed forces extra time, Fran Cortijo quickly gets OSU the winner in 1:43.

Bethany Balcer gets two goals in the first 20 minutes, and Jess Fishlock adds two goals in OL Reign's 5-2 smashing of Chicago at Lumen Field. It's the first time two Reign players have had multi-goal efforts in the same regular season game. Megan Rapinoe, returning from a leg injury, scores in her debut after coming off the bench at halftime. It's Seattle's first five-goal game since 2021.

Ten-man Oly Town FC earns its first victory against Puget Sound rival Ballard FC, 3-2, at Interbay Stadium. The Artesians not only accomplish their first win of the series in six tries, but they do also it on the road and after playing the final 46 minutes shorthanded. Richy Lapointe-Guevara (1') and Gil De La Luz (27') give the visitors a 2-nil lead. Ballard bounces back to equalize, but in stoppage time Oly’s Chris Peretti charges upfield and finds Dante Perez for the winner.

OL Reign central defender Alana Cook registers her first international goal, and it's the difference in the United States' 1-0 friendly win over Ireland in St. Louis. Cook, on her 26th birthday, sends a 40-yard ball high into the goalmouth. It evades defenders and floats over the keeper and into the net.

Bellevue's Mara Sovde and Seattle's Niki Ross are among the six players from Washington who win an NCAA Division II championship for California's Point Loma. the Sea Lions defeat Washburn (Kan.), 1-0, in the final at Matthews, N.C. Sovde is a mainstay for a defense that allowed only 11 goals for the season. Ross scored seven goals to earn PacWest Freshman of the Year.

Sydney Siegel makes six saves in regulation and overtime, plus another two in the shootout, and Skyline repeats as girls' 4A champion over Woodinville, 1-1 (4-2) at Sparks Stadium. The Spartans, who defeated their Kingco foe twice during the regular season, repeat for a third time and are champions for a record seventh time in 4A. Ashley Roni gives Skyline a lead at 10', and Woodinville forces overtime on Kameron Winsatt's 69' equalizer.

OL Reign has five players named by Vlatko Andonovski for the World Cup roster. It's the most of any NWSL team. Selected are Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Rose Lavelle, Megan Rapinoe and Emily Sonnett. In addition, Jordyn Huitema and Quinn represent Canada, and Angelina is on Brazil's roster.

Spokane's expansion USL League One team announces it will be known as the Velocity FC. At an unveiling at Brick West Brewing, managing partner Ryan Harnetiaux displays the crest featuring four descending water blades representative of the waterfalls in and around downtown Spokane and Riverfront Park. The colors are white, blue and black. Nearly 3,800 season ticket deposits have been received for the 2024 season at One Spokane Stadium.

A crowd approaching 2,000 at the historic Davenport Hotel witnesses the announcement of Spokane's name and crest for the new USL Super League women's team. Zephyr FC, says club president Katie Harnetiaux, is named for "a wind from the west." The crest features a stylized 'Z' to reflect the movement of wind. Its colors resemble that of the League One men's Velocity: teal, dark gray and gold. Play for the new Division 1 club begins in August 2024.

Stas Korzeniowski's hat trick fuels the comeback, and Charlie Gaffney finds the winner for Ballard FC as it rallies to win the USL League Two Western Conference final, 4-3, over the Ventura County Fusion, in Flint, Mich. Korzeniowski brings Ballard from 2-nil down late in regulation to a 3-2 lead. The Fusion knot the score, but Gaffney's smash from outside the box at 103' wins it. Two days later Ballard beats host Flint City, 1-0, in the semifinals.

With a new season just around the corner, Puget Sound head coach Reece Olney retires after 29 years. A three-time Northwest Conference Coach of the Year, Olney and the Loggers posted an overall record of 325-168-63, winning NWC titles in 1999, 2002, 2006, and 2013. In 1999, UPS reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament while finishing the season ranked No. 6 in the nation. Sam Zisette, who both played and coached under Olney, is named interim head coach.

Third-quarter goals from Jamael Cox and Kyle Rivers are sufficient for the Tacoma Stars to hold off the host Empire Strykers, 4-3, in Ontario, Canada. It's the fourth win in five games for the Stars and proves enough to reach the MASL play-in stage. Nick Perera assists on the first two goals, by Cory Keitz and Mike Ramos.

Seattle fans turn out in droves, setting an NWSL attendance record of 34,130 at Lumen Field for Megan Rapinoe's final regular season home match. OL Reign settles for a 0-0 draw with Washington. Before kickoff there are video tributes from Billie Jean King, Abby Wambach and Mikaela Shiffrin, among others. A tifo is unfurled and dozens of pink-wigged spectators give her a standing ovation following her postgame remarks. Rapinoe, Lauren Barnes and Jessica Fishlock have played for the Reign since its first season in 2013.

The Sounders FC ownership group gains three more investors. The families of Amazon executive Adam Selipsky, Redapt co-founder Rick Cantu and real estate developer Jay Stein are the latest additions.

No sooner do the Seattle Sounders become the first U.S. team to compete at the FIFA Club World Cup and they are eliminated. A late goal by Egypt's Al Ahly sends Seattle home from Morocco after falling 1-0 in its second round opener. The Sounders, who qualified by winning the 2022 Concacaf Champions League, are playing their first competitive match in three months. Al Ahly, with strong traveling support from Cairo, has played more than 20 times, including seven since New Year's Day. The Red Devils are unbeaten in league play. Seattle holds its own but succumbs in the 88th minute. Al Ahly’s Afsha smacks a long shot against the crossbar, it caroms off Alex Roldan and into the back of the net. Ah Ahly proceeded to lose to eventual champion Real Madrid, 4-1.

Two goals in the final eight minutes send Skyline to the boys' 4A championship, 2-0 over Puyallup at Spark Stadium. The Spartans, runners-up three times, including 2022, follow on the Skyline girls winning state six months earlier. A scoreless deadlock is broken open by Colin McKenna's long free kick that somehow finds its way through a crowd in the 72nd minute. Braden Ferreira clinches the title in 79'.

After 56 seasons, Seattle University breaks into the top 10 of Division I. The Redhawks, going unbeaten (8-0-2) down the stretch, are ranked 9th in the final United Soccer Coaches' poll of the regular season. However, the following day they are ousted from the WAC tournament at the semifinal stage by host UNLV, 2-1.

On the eve of the NWSL home opener, OL Groupe puts OL Reign up for sale. The club’s French parent company owns an 89.5% stake, Bill and Teresa Predmore retained 7.5% and former NBA star Tony Parker, an OL brand ambassador in the U.S., holds a 3% stake. The sale has been triggered by Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang buying OL Groupe’s Olympique Lyonnais women’s team. Kang paid a reported $35 million for the Spirit.

Approaching the 50th anniversary of the first NASL season, Sounders FC unveils a new crest and colors, effective in 2024. The Space Needle remains the centerpiece of the crest, but the banner stripped across that read 'Seattle Sounders FC' was removed. Instead, the city's iconic structure is flanked by the numbers '19' and '74' to highlight the original club's first season. The Rave Green is now accompanied by Heritage Aqua, paying homage to the inaugural color palette.

Gonzaga strikes twice in 79 seconds to come from behind and win, 2-1, at Portland. It extends the GU women's unbeaten string against the Pilots to six games (5-0-1) since 2017. Trailing since MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson's 6' opener, the Bulldogs tie it in 79' on Chelsea Le's shot from well outside the box. Just over a minute later, Maddie Kemp's corner kick is banged home by Grace Courter. Lauren Towne makes nine saves against Portland, which had been unbeaten in eight.

Roosevelt defies the odds one last time as the 14th-seeded Roughriders beat Shorecrest, 4-1, to become the first Seattle public school to win the 3A girls state championship. Andrea Cummings scores a pair of goals in Roosevelt's sixth straight loser-out postseason win (18 goal differential) after seven regular season defeats. Cummings scores four tournament goals altogether, beginning in the 35th minute and another in the 45th. Brigid Bennett and Taylor Christensen tally in the second half.

After scoring 73 goals during the regular season, Pacific Lutheran is unable to covert even one of 23 shots and goes out in the first round of the NCAA tournament at home, 0-0 (4-1) to Carleton (Minn.). Top scorer Craig Johnson clangs a drive off the crossbar in the 88th minute. Two penalty kick tiebreaker attempts are saved. It's the first time in 13 games that PLU has been held scoreless.

Veronica Latsko's second game-winner in as many playoff games gives OL Reign a 1-0 upset of San Diego in an NSWL semifinal played before 32,262 at Snapdragon Stadium. Latsko, whose 87' strike beat Angel City in the first round, sees her intended cross drop behind Wave keeper Kailen Sheridan in the 47th minute. Claudia Dickey makes four saves to collect her fourth straight clean sheet. The Reign moves to 7-0-2 vs. NWSL Shield winner San Diego.

Gonzaga promotes Katie Benz to head coach in the wake of Chris Watkins leaving for Boston College. A day after Watkins departs, his top assistant succeeds him. Watkins had been 79-33-17 in seven seasons. Benz came from Montana in 2021, where she was an assistant on two Big Sky champions.

Seattle's second USL League Two franchise comes to life with the formation of West Seattle Junction FC. Co-owners Jessica Pierce & Kaitlyn Jackson will launch the men’s team at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex in 2024 and a women’s USL W League team in 2025. Junction FC joins Ballard FC and Oly Town FC as local sides in the Northwest Division.

Tacoma native Cliff Brown parts ways with Wichita's Newman University after 35 years as men's head coach. Brown guided the Jets to four NAIA national tournaments and was a four-time Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference coach of the year. His final records stands at 288-319-43.

Twentieth-ranked Pacific Lutheran takes down No. 4 Virginia Wesleyan, 2-0, in just the third outing of the year, at Newport News, Va. The Lutes get an early second-half header from Alyssa Leong, and Kayden Hulquist doubles it seven minutes later. Abby Winkler makes eight saves in the shutout.

Sounders FC majority owner Adrian Hanauer outlines a six-year growth strategy while also naming experience sports executive Hugh Weber as president of business operations. Weber, a Tacoma native, comes from Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, where he served as president for the parent company of the NBA Philadelphia 76ers, NHL New Jersey Devils, Prudential Center and other holdings including Premier League club Crystal Palace. Peter Tomozawa, who had served as Sounders president of business operations, has been appointed CEO fo SEA 2026, the local World Cup organizing committee.

Seattle’s local FIFA 2026 World Cup organizing committee announces that the Puyallup Tribe is their official legacy supporter. This marks the first time in the history of the international tournament that an indigenous people have entered into an agreement with any host city. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians will work with SeattleFWC26 multiple initiatives throughout the coming years. It will allow the tribe opportunities to share their story, in their own voice, on the global stage.

Wade Webber's success in guiding the Tacoma Defiance in terms of both development and competitive success is rewarded with a promotion. Webber is elevated to Sounders FC director of development while Henry Brauner moves from player development VP to Seattle's technical director. Webber was 38-24-22 in three seasons, taking Tacoma to the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs in his final two seasons.

Rose Lavelle of OL Reign scores twice in the 5-0 U.S. win over host New Zealand during a pre-World Cup friendly in Auckland. Seattle teammate Sofia Huerta finds Lavelle with a long crossing ball for the second USWNT goal. Lavelle later adds the game's fourth goal and assists on the fifth.

Braudilio Rodrigues hits the Real Monarchs for a brace as the Tacoma Defiance wins its fourth in a row with a 3-0 road victory. The two goals boost Rodrigues' total to 15, setting a season record. He is tied for fourth in MLS NEXT Pro scoring. Gio Miglietti adds a goal, his fifth as a substitute. The Defiance finish the regular season with six-match unbeaten run.

Jordan Morris continues his torrid start by bagging a record four goals as the Sounders secure their first MLS road win in 11 matches, 4-1, at Kansas City. Seattle is without six regulars due to international call-ins and falls behind after five minutes. But Morris equalizes before halftime, then adds three goals in 32 minutes of the second half. Trailing, Sporting plays the final 27 minutes with 10 men. Morris has seven goals in Seattle's 3-1-1 start. Left winger Léo Chú makes his first start and sets another club mark with four assists.

Crossfire Premier comes from behind to win the Elite Club National League boys U15 championship in Henrico, Virginia. Just before halftime, Zachariah Hume ties it with California's Slammers FC at 1-1. Justin Chen scores to grab the lead at 60', and Bruno Perversi cinches the victory, 3-1, at 80'.

Pacific Lutheran heads toward the NCAA tournament with a head of steam after completing a sweep of Puget Sound, 3-1 at home. The Lutes win their ninth in a row and are unbeaten in 16 (13-0-3) with one regular season game remaining. They get two first-half goals from Trevor Thompson.

Peter Fewing calls time on his coaching days with Seattle University, transitioning to associate athletic director after 29 total seasons. Nate Daligcon, who had been associate head coach and at SU since 2013, takes over. Fewing's teams won the 1997 NAIA national championship and 2004 NCAA Division II championship. He earned national coach of the year honors each title season. In two stints covering four levels of affiliation, Fewing was 343-197-50. The Redhawks advanced as far as the Div. I third round in 2015.

Nicolas Lodeiro, maestro to the top achievements in Sounders history, makes his departure official after seven-plus seasons. Lodeiro, 34, is a free agent following the expiration of his contract. He pulled the strings in midfield but also commanded respect and was a respected captain. During his tenure, Seattle played in four MLS Cup finals (winning two) and became the first MLS club to win the Concacaf Champions League. A month later, on Jan. 4, 2024, Lodeiro signs with Orlando City.

Stefan Frei earns his league-leading 10th shutout of the season, but the Sounders' scoring drought continues with a scoreless home draw against Orlando City. Seattle still sits third in the West but has gone scoreless in three straight home matches and five of the last seven overall. It has just six points from the last seven outings. Missing due to international call-ins are Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan and Alex Roldan, plus Raul Ruidiaz is in Peru following the sudden death of his father.

OL Reign's quest to send Megan Rapinoe into retirement with a first NWSL championship goes awry from the outset in a 2-1 loss to Gotham FC before 25,011 in San Diego. Three minutes into the match, Rapinoe goes to ground without any contact. It's later diagnosed as a torn right Achilles. In the 24th minute, Gotham goes in front as Lynn Williams takes Midge Purce's cross and tucks it past Reign keeper Claudia Dickey. Five minutes later, Rose Lavelle scores to level it at 1-1 on a breakaway. However, in first-half stoppage time Purce finds Esther González Rodríguez for a header. Veronica Latsko forces a diving save at 60' from Mandy Haught, and Elysse Bennett nearly beats Haught with a looping header seven minutes into stoppage time, with the Gotham keeper committing a handball outside the box to deny it. Haught is sent off but the Reign cannot capitalize in the remaining time, losing its third final.

Nicolas Lodeiro yields the Sounders captaincy following more than four seasons of wearing the armband. It comes after a meeting with coach Brian Schmetzer prior to the Leagues Cup match with Monterrey. Stefan Frei is installed as the new captain, although Joao Paulo serves in his absence vs. Monterrey. Lodeiro had succeeded Osvaldo Alonso as captain following the 2018 season.

Getting two goals from state player of the year Alex Harris, Columbia River completes a perfect season with a 4-2 win over North Kitsap in the boys' 2A championship game in Puyallup. The Rapids (24-0-0) score three times in a 7-minute span of the second half to go up 4-1 on strikes by Tyler Brown (58'), J.P. Guzman (59') and Harris (65'). Harris and teammate Cole Benner are also playing the state tennis tournament, 25 miles north in Seattle. North Kitsap had won 19 in a row going into the final.

OL Reign captain Lauren Barnes is the first NWSL player to reach 200 regular season appearances, starting and playing the entire 90 minutes in the Reign’s 2-1 home win over Kansas City. During her 11 seasons with the Reign, Barnes, 34, has only missed 14 of 214 regular season matches. She also holds NWSL records for starts (196) and minutes (17,328).

Completed in under two years, One Spokane Stadium opens with a high school girls ' game as the first athletic event. Shadle Park defeats Pullman in an afternoon match that is settled in a tiebreaker. The Highlanders' Peyton Boston scores the venue's first goal in the 19th minute, and they go on to win their first game of the year in a shootout following a 1-1 tie.

Craig Johnson tallies his 19th goal of the year as Pacific Lutheran rolls over Lewis & Clark, 5-0 at home, for the sixth Northwest Conference title in seven years. It's the fourth straight shutout for the Lutes, now winners of eight straight and unbeaten in 15 (12-0-3). Johnson has eight goals and 10 assists during the win streak.

Lincoln of Seattle earns its first state championship in any sport since its 2019 reopening with a 1-0 victory over Metro League rival Ballard in the boys' Class 3A state championship game at Sparks Stadium. Wren Wagner scores from 16 yards in the 27th minute, and Tomas Sanchez Swenson makes a last-minute save to preserve the shutout. The Lynx finish 21-0-1 while the Beavers won eight straight after falling in the Metro quarterfinals. It's the fifth straight 3A final featuring at least one Seattle team.

Seattle finally ends a year of Cascadia misery by coming from behind at BC Place to beat Vancouver on Yeimar's stoppage time winner. It's the Sounders first win over the Whitecaps or Timbers since June 2022 after going 0-5-1. With his first multi-goal game, Léo Chú twice brings the visitors level. His shot in the first minute of stoppage time is deflected to Yeimar for the winner. Not since 2020 has Seattle found a winning goal in added time. Jackson Ragen, Yeimar's central defense partner, twice uses his head to assist Chú.

For the first time in 38 years the original U.S. Women's National Team is reunited and honored at halftime of the USL W League match in Asheville, N.C. Seven members of the 1985 team coached by Seattle's Mike Ryan were from Washington. Among those attending are Michelle Akers and Lori Henry, who would go on to win the first World Cup in 1991. Asheville City co-owner Stacey Enos was also a member of that team. Enos led the reunion organizing effort.

Needing a win to stay alive in the MASL playoff race, the Tacoma Stars pummel Dallas, 12-3, in the final home game at accesso ShoWare Center. Tacoma completes the three-game home stand with three consecutive wins and a combined 31 goals scored. It's 4-0 after one quarter, with Nick Perera scoring and becomes only the second player with 200 career assists. Perera scores an empty-net goal in the final frame, becoming the fourth player in MASL history to reach the 400 regular-season point club.

OL Reign striker Jordyn Huitema helps Canada reach the 2024 Paris Summer Games with her 18th international goal. In as substitute role, Huitema gives Canada the lead against Jamaica in the 50th minute of the second leg Concacaf Olympic qualifier in Toronto. Canada wins the game, 2-0, and the aggregate, 4-1.

Bidding to become the first nation to win three consecutive FIFA Women's World Cups, the United States instead makes its earliest tournament exit. Sweden advances at the expense of the USWNT, 0-0 (5-4), in a Round of 16 match in Melbourne, Australia. Megan Rapinoe, after coming on in the 99th minute, sends her fourth-round tiebreaker penalty over the crossbar. It was her first penalty miss in five years. Her Reign teammate Emily Sonnett started and played 120 minutes. Rose Lavelle missed the game through yellow card accumulation.

Two-time MASL MVP Nick Perera adds the Tacoma Stars general manager title going into his seventh season with the club. Perera, who had served as coach from 2018-21, had been OL Reign's GM for 13 months before resigning in March 2023.

Albert Rusnak's emergence as much-needed clutch scorer is evident again as the Slovakian midfielder scores the series-deciding goal in Seattle's 1-0 win over Dallas at Lumen Field. Joao Paulo provides Rusnak with timely service in the box, and he scores from 12 yards in the 36th minute of Game 3. Rusnak has scored six of his eight goals since June, including three in the last four matches. He also scored in the Game 1 win Oct. 27.

Nick Perera of the Tacoma Stars is voted the Gold Ball after the United States reclaims the Concacaf Beach Soccer championship in Nassau, Bahamas. Perera scores in the 5-0 victory over Mexico in the final. He had back-to-back hat tricks during the group stage and finishes the tournament with nine goals. The U.S. wins its first regional title since 2013.

Braudilio Rodrigues and the Tacoma Defiance jump on top of Houston in the first 20 minutes and go on to beat the Dynamo 2 in the MLS NEXT Pro quarterfinals, 4-3, at Starfire Stadium. Blake Bowen puts Tacoma on top in the third minute, then assists Rodrigues's goals at 13' and 19'. Dylan Teves adds another for a 4-1 lead in the 53rd minute before the visitors make a late comeback attempt.

Giana Riley hits for a hat trick to power 19th-ranked Gonzaga past Pepperdine, 3-1, at Malibu, for the first West Coast Conference championship for the women. Riley stakes the visitors to a lead after just 3:05 and doubles it in the 19th minute. She scores her third of the game and 12th of the season to crush the Wave's comeback hopes in the 73rd.

Tacoma Stars forward Nick Perera is named the MASL MVP for a second time after leading the league in points (70) and assists (37). Perera also claimed the award in 2019.

Cristian Roldan scores deep into stoppage time to give the Sounders a playoff-clinching 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy. Seattle, after missing the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in 2022, earns its 14th postseason appearance with two matches to play. Jordan Morris heads in a Joao Paulo cross in the 9th minute for his 11th goal. Tied 1-1 six minutes into added time, Alex Roldan throws deep to Josh Atencio, who flicks on for Roldan to bury. The Sounders earn points for the seventh straight match (3-0-4).

Seattle closes out the regular season impressively, completing a sweep of Western Division winner St. Louis City, 2-0. Stefan Frei makes a 5th-minute save off a free kick and goes on to post his MLS-leading 14th shutout, a new club record. The Sounders start on the front foot, taking the lead after 23 minutes when Cristian Roldan spots Albert Rusnak. Reed Baker-Whiting's shot deflects in for an own goal at 38'. After a fast start followed by a midseason lull, Seattle goes undefeated (4-0-5) down the stretch.

Lesle Gallimore, a legend on Montlake over 26 seasons, is named OL Reign general manager. Gallimore replaces Nick Perera, who resigned in March after 13 months in the post. She led the Washington program from 1994-2019, twice earning Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors and making 15 NCAA tournament appearances. Since 2020, Gallimore has served as commissioner of the Girls Academy.

Seattle Sounders teen Obed Vargas starts in midfield for the United States in its quarterfinal vs. Uruguay at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina. It's the third start and fifth appearance for Vargas, 18. In October, he sees action in an Olympic Team friendly vs. Mexico.

Seattle Sounders FC ownership is reported to be in advanced negotiations to purchase OL Reign from OL Groupe. Representatives of both clubs decline to comment, but by the end of November, French publication L’Equipe reports that of 28 offers the Sounders ownership's bid was tentatively accepted. They will pay approximately $53 million. The bid remains under review after a presentation before France’s financial oversight board in Paris. OL Groupe purchased a majority stake in the Reign in 2019 for approximately $3.5 million.

The newly-named Fewing Cup goes down to the wire before Seattle University nips the winner over 20th-ranked Washington, 3-2, at Championship Field. The Huskies twice tie it, but Richy Lapointe-Guevara put SU ahead to stay in the 85th minute. Trophy namesake Peter Fewing played for UW and coached 29 seasons at SU.

Grace Burke finds joy early, and Northwest University goes on to upset Eastern Oregon to secure an automatic NAIA tournament berth, 1-0, over Eastern Oregon in the Cascade Conference semifinals. Fifth in the regular season, the Eagles' third straight win and second by shutout earn their fifth national tournament appearance at the expense of the No. 3 seed Mountaineers in Springfield, Ore. Burke scores in the 15th minute. NU falls via penalties, 1-1 (2-0), to College of Idaho in the CCC title match.

Walla Walla’s frustrations continue with a 2-0, season-ending men's home loss to Bushnell. The Wolves finish 0-14 and go winless for the second year in a row, scoring just four goals. They have not had an on-field win since before the pandemic, going 1-50-1 back to Sept. 22, 2019.

After going winless in six matches, the Tacoma Defiance finds the winning combination at Denver, dealing the Colorado Rapids 2 their first loss, 2-1. Sixteen-year-old Stuart Hawkins gets his first professional in just the ninth minute, launching a long ball into the top-left corner of the net. Tacoma doubles its lead not 10 minutes later when Gio Miglietti runs onto a long goal kick from Andrew Thomas and chips the onrushing keeper. It's the first of four straight victories for the Defiance, lifting them to first in the West by July 9.

For the first time in Gonzaga annals, the Zags are perfect through three games to start a season. The Bulldogs wallop Weber State, 9-2 – the most goals scored on a Division I opponent. Giana Riley, Marissa Garcia and Shelby Runje all get braces at Luger Field. GU scored 19 times in going 3-0-0.

In OL Reign's highest profile transfer to date, goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, 26, is transferred to Manchester United for a reported $160,000. Tullis-Joyce has been the starter since arriving from France's Reims before the 2022 season. She finished with 47 appearances and 15 clean sheets across all competitions, including a Reign record 13 in regular season play.

Community First Soccer and ELLA Sports Foundation conduct a free soccer camp for kids ages 4-18 at the SOZO Sports Complex outside Yakima. The camp also features a college showcase for high-school aged players to demonstrate their skills to local college coaches. ELLA is focused on empowering Latina athletes to pursue their goals. CFS co-founders Sebastian Navarro and Iovani Rodriguez want to show kids from Yakima Valley they can follow their dreams and accomplish their goals without leaving home before high school graduation.