Preserve Celebrate Inspire

Photo Credit
John Todd - ISI Photos

#LetsMakeHistory

Washington State Legends of Soccer is determined to make every week and every day count throughout 2020.

Our executive board continues to meet virtually each month, plus we are planning to add 22 new years to our online museum, and we are in the process of conducting online interviews with notable soccer figures from our community.

As always, we value your suggestions and contributions. If there’s a piece of history we should know about or you can offer some hidden photos or videos chronicling some key event, organization, team or individual, please reach out. And if there’s someone you suggest we interview, let us know. It’s a big state with a deep history in soccer and some of the best stories have yet to be told.

We want to share this letter from Lisa Rakuro, one of our 2019/20 Alan Hinton / Washington State Legends of Soccer Scholars:

I would like to take the time to thank the Washington State Legends of Soccer for funding my education and believing that I will put the scholarship to best use. I am able to continue my studies at Everett Community College, thanks to this generous donation.

I am transitioning this summer into my sophomore year. My dedication and passion for criminal justice and construction have allowed me to achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.4. I am actively participating in school activities and proudly earned a spot on the Everett Community College women’s soccer team. After the Spring of 2021, I plan on graduating from EVCC and transferring to Northwest Nazarene or Northwest University to pursue my major.

My educational pursuits would not be possible without the WA Legends of Soccer. I am grateful and appreciative of the program. I will be looking forward to hearing from the organization again. Thank you so much.

Lisa Rakuro

To make a donation to the scholarship fund, please click here.

In this year...

2007

Amidst swirling rumors of Major League Soccer naming Seattle as its next expansion franchise, Sounders beat Atlanta Ruckus, 4-0, before a sold-out Starfire Stadium for club’s fourth championship.

1979

Chon Garcia founds Liga Hispana, comprised of 18 teams of Hispanic players, in Burien. By 2012, the league will grow to more than 120 teams and eventually similar leagues, as well as affiliated women’s and youth play, will take root around the state.

1950

George P. “Barney” Kempton, a native of Ireland who came to Seattle in 1914, is inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame as a charter member of the first class in Philadelphia. Kempton starred in the state league, then served many years as secretary to the state association, founded the CYO leagues and covered the sport for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. For more than four decades he was Washington’s Mr. Soccer.

Want to learn more about the greatest moments in Washington soccer history?

About
Us

We want people to love the game by playing, watching, coaching, and supporting it. We want to preserve our history and share why we've become an epicenter for soccer. We want to celebrate our Legends, not only those famous but others on whose backs this community was built. And we want to inspire others, to take the torch, to create opportunities for the underserved and inspire future generations to give back to this Beautiful Game.

Learn more about our mission, vision and people.

Learn More

Western Washington University

From Washington to the World Cup

The NINETY Sat, August 31, 2019 406 Occidental Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 Ticket required

Reign FC / WA Legends Women's World Cup Watch Parties

Rhein Haus (Seattle and Tacoma locations) Fri, 12pm (and all USWNT matchdays) 912 12th Ave E, Seattle and 649 Division Ave, Tacoma Free admission; Doors open 45 minutes before kickoff.

A Night with Alan Hinton and Friends

Kirkland Performance Center Tue, Mar 19, 2019 350 Kirkland Ave. Kirkland, WA 98033 Watch a very special evening of laughs and touching stories:

Tacoma Stars Heritage Night/WA Youth Soccer Hall of Fame

ShoWare Center Sun, Feb 24, 2019 625 James St. Kent, WA 98032 Watch the induction ceremony:

Events

Join Washington State Legends of Soccer as we celebrate our soccer community through Heritage Nights, Speaker Series and Operation Outreach - all illustrating what makes this such a rich and vibrant soccer community.

Register today for one of these upcoming events.

Donations

Your support today will help Washington State Legends of Soccer preserve our rich soccer history, share it free of charge to the world and support initiatives that give back to the game. Your contribution makes a difference in celebrating the game and its people, and making the sport more accessible across the state. WA Legends is a 501(c)(3) registered public charity.

Help us make a difference today!

Donate Now!

Membership

Our membership benefits package will soon be finalized and available in early 2019. Check back with us for details on how to join WA Legends and our growing list of partners.