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Seattle Sounders and PNW Soccer fan collection, 1977-2022

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Johnson, Heather
Title
Seattle Sounders and PNW Soccer fan collection
Dates
1977-2022 (inclusive)
Quantity
5.65 cubic feet (10 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Collection Number
6397 (Accession No. 6397-001)
Summary
Ephemera, artifacts, and other materials related to professional soccer in the Pacific Northwest
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Lifelong soccer fan Heather Johnson amassed this eclectic collection of Pacific Northwest-related soccer memorabilia dating back to 1976. Throughout her childhood, she followed local teams, FC Seattle, Seattle Sounders, and Tacoma Stars, and kept newspaper clippings books, flyers, promotional items, and player autographs. As a young adult she briefly volunteered for FC Seattle and worked for their marketing arm, Alistar Sports, whose gameday clothing is included in the collection. Johnson became a renewing season ticket holder for the Seattle Sounders when the team held its inaugural season in 2009.

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Historical Background

In 1974, the North American Soccer League (NASL) awarded franchises to Seattle, San Jose, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia leading to the formation of the Seattle Sounders. The Sounders played in the NASL until 1983; the league disbanded in 1984. A second iteration of the Seattle Sounders was founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League (APSL) and in 1997 joined the United Soccer League (USL). This team played their final season in 2008. The current Seattle Sounders was founded in 2007 as a Major League Soccer (MLS) Seattle expansion team playing its first season in 2009; this team was branded as Sounders FC to distinguish it from previous versions of the team.

Sound Football Club (women) was a team in the Women's Premier Soccer League, based in Tukwila, Washington.

Football Club Seattle or FC Seattle, later known as FC Seattle Storm, was a local football club team operating from 1984 to 1990. It existed to give local players the chance to compete against higher level teams. Various soccer events in Seattle were also organized under the FC Seattle name, and the work they did to create the regional Western Soccer Alliance laid the groundwork for today’s regional semi-professional and lower-tier professional leagues, including the United Soccer Leagues (USL).

Seattle Reign FC was a professional women's soccer team founded in 2012 as one of eight inaugural teams in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In 2019 they moved to Tacoma and were rebranded simply as The Reign. In 2020 it was acquired and renamed the OL (Olympique Lyonnais) Reign. They played two more seasons in Tacoma and began playing in Seattle’s Lumen Field as of 2022.

The Seattle Wolves were founded in 2009 and rebranded as Crossfire Redmond in 2010. Prior to 2010, they played in the Pacific Coast Soccer League, then transitioned to the National Premier Soccer League.

The Tacoma Stars were a Tacoma, Washington team competing in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). Founded in 1983, the team and the league disbanded in 1992. After several different versions of local teams played under the same name, the Stars returned to top-tier indoor play in 2015 after the Seattle Impact’s brief but controversial entry into the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) was removed from the league mid-season. The Tacoma Stars have kept their original name, but currently play at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington.

The Tacoma Tides were a Tacoma, Washington team and member of the American Soccer League. It began play in 1976 and folded the following year.

The Vancouver Whitecaps were established as a member of Major League Soccer in 2009.

Materials representing soccer teams from colleges and universities local to the Pacific Northwest include the University of Washington Soccerdogs, the Seattle Pacific University Falcons, and the Seattle University Redhawks.

Source: History Link, Wikipedia, donor

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Content Description

Magazines, digests, newsletters, ephemera, memorabilia, flags, pennants, banners, and posters related to professional soccer in the Pacific Northwest from 1974-2022, mainly focusing on FC Seattle Storm, the Seattle Sounders, and the Tacoma Stars.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in 7 series.

  • Series 1, Seattle Sounders (Major League Soccer) 2009-present
  • Series 2, Seattle Sounders (North American Soccer League) 1974-1983
  • Series 3, Seattle Sounders (American Professional Soccer League/ United Soccer League) 1994-2008
  • Series 4, FC Seattle Storm (Western Soccer Alliance) 1984-1995
  • Series 5, Seattle Reign
  • Series 6, Tacoma Stars
  • Series 7, Other Pacific Northwest Soccer Teams
  • Series 8, Soccer Tournaments Held in the Pacific Northwest by Non-local Teams

Acquisition Information

Donated by Heather J. Johnson, February 20, 2018, December 22, 2022.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
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