Washington Crossfire
Encyclopedia
Washington Crossfire is an American soccer team based in Seattle, Washington
, United States
. Founded in 2009, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.
The team plays its home games in the stadium on the campus of Redmond High School in nearby Redmond, Washington
, where they have played since 2011. The team's colors are red, black and white.
Prior to 2010 the team was known as the Seattle Wolves, and had competed in the PCSL
and PDL under that name for several years. The Wolves and the Washington Crossfire youth soccer organization merged in November, 2009. The larger Washington Crossfire youth organization, which was formed in 1968, has been instrumental in developing young soccer players in the Washington area for over 30 years, and is Washington state's only Nike Premier Club.
In 2008, the Wolves undertook their first competitive season in the Pacific Coast Soccer League
, one of the three national competitions considered to be at the fourth level of the American Soccer Pyramid
. They finished their first season in the PCSL in third place behind champions Victoria United
.
On 26 January 2009 the Wolves announced that they would be fielding a new senior team in the USL Premier Development League
for the 2009 season, thereby becoming the second team to make a PCSL to PDL expansion, following Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
in 2008. On 31 January 2009 the Wolves competed against the Seattle Sounders FC Super search squad at Starfire Sports Complex
in Tukwila. The Wolves prepared a special roster for the specific game, composed of current Wolves players, ex professional players, ex Seattle Sounders (USL)
players, current and ex collegiate players, and current youth players. The televised game showed clips of the game the following day on NBC King 5
after the Super Bowl.
In their first season in PDL competition the Wolves fielded a strong squad that included former Los Angeles Galaxy
player Ely Allen
. They won their first ever competitive PDL game 4-1 over the Yakima Reds
on May 8, 2009 off the back of a brace by Fernando Monge, and continued their winning form throughout the early games, picking up victories over Spokane Spiders
and the Portland Timbers U23's
. Despite strong opposition in the ultra-competitive Northwest Division the Wolves proved to be one of the best teams in the division; they enjoyed an excellent 5-game unbeaten streak in June, coming from behind to beat Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
2-1, enjoying solid victories over Yakima and the Abbotsford Mariners, and scoring a controversial last minute penalty kick equalizer to tie 2-2 with Tacoma Tide. In fact the only team Seattle couldn't beat were the Kitsap Pumas
, who won both their regular season games on tight 2-1 and 2-0 scorelines, and ended up topping the division. The Wolves gained a crucial point with another last minute equalizer in a 3-3 tie with the Victoria Highlanders
in early July, and finished the regular season with three more victories, including an impressive 3-0 result on the road against Cascade Surge
. The Wolves eventually finished third in the division, qualifying for the playoffs at the first attempt; their opponent in the Divisional First Round was Portland Timbers U23's
, who they beat 3-2 in an amazing game which saw Portland lead 1-0, and then 2-1, only for Seattle striker Alex Chursky to hit two goals in the last ten minutes and send the Wolves through to the divisional final. Unfortunately for the Wolves, Kitsap again stood in their way, and the men from Bremerton completed a hat trick of wins with a 2-0 victory, ending the Wolves' playoff run. Casey Cunningham and Ely Allen
were the Wolves' top scorers, with 7 and 6 goals respectively, while Allen also contributed six assists.
In November 2009, the team merged with the Washington Crossfire youth soccer organization, creating a new soccer team branded as the Washington Crossfire.
Ely Allen
Gibson Bardsley
Jason Cascio
Ben Dragavon
Noah Merl
Sean Morris
Brian Perk
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2009, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.
The team plays its home games in the stadium on the campus of Redmond High School in nearby Redmond, Washington
Redmond, Washington
Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located east of Seattle. The population was 54,144 at the 2010 census,up from 45,256 in 2000....
, where they have played since 2011. The team's colors are red, black and white.
Prior to 2010 the team was known as the Seattle Wolves, and had competed in the PCSL
Pacific Coast Soccer League
The Pacific Coast Soccer League is a soccer league featuring teams from British Columbia, although the league has also featured teams from Washington in the past as well...
and PDL under that name for several years. The Wolves and the Washington Crossfire youth soccer organization merged in November, 2009. The larger Washington Crossfire youth organization, which was formed in 1968, has been instrumental in developing young soccer players in the Washington area for over 30 years, and is Washington state's only Nike Premier Club.
History
Following their establishment in 2002, the original Seattle Wolves burst into the Northwest football scene, quickly moving up four divisions of competitive play within the Greater Seattle Soccer League (GSSL). Since the team's beginning, the Wolves have captured 12 League Titles and 5 Tournament Championships. In the fall of 2006, the club grew out of its infancy as a local amateur team, and expanded to include multiple squads competing in the Starfire Premier Soccer League (SPSL) and several regional semi-professional leagues.In 2008, the Wolves undertook their first competitive season in the Pacific Coast Soccer League
Pacific Coast Soccer League
The Pacific Coast Soccer League is a soccer league featuring teams from British Columbia, although the league has also featured teams from Washington in the past as well...
, one of the three national competitions considered to be at the fourth level of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
. They finished their first season in the PCSL in third place behind champions Victoria United
Victoria United
Victoria United is a Canadian soccer team based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1904, the team plays in Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada and the Pacific Northwest...
.
On 26 January 2009 the Wolves announced that they would be fielding a new senior team in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
for the 2009 season, thereby becoming the second team to make a PCSL to PDL expansion, following Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, formerly known as Whitecaps FC Reserves, is a Canadian soccer team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Although founded in 2005 as part of the development system for the Vancouver Whitecaps USL First Division franchise, beginning in 2011 they are part of the...
in 2008. On 31 January 2009 the Wolves competed against the Seattle Sounders FC Super search squad at Starfire Sports Complex
Starfire Sports Complex
Starfire Sports Complex is a sporting facility in Tukwila, Washington, on the banks of the Green River, near Seattle. It is operated by the non-profit corporation Starfire Sports. At the time of its opening, CEO Chris Slatt believed it to be "the largest synthetic-turf soccer complex in the...
in Tukwila. The Wolves prepared a special roster for the specific game, composed of current Wolves players, ex professional players, ex Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
players, current and ex collegiate players, and current youth players. The televised game showed clips of the game the following day on NBC King 5
KING-TV
KING-TV, virtual channel 5, is a television station in Seattle, Washington, affiliated with the NBC network. Owned by Belo Corporation, it broadcasts on UHF digital channel 48. Its offices and broadcasting center are located just east of Seattle Center...
after the Super Bowl.
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
player Ely Allen
Ely Allen
Ely Allen is an American soccer player currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College:...
. They won their first ever competitive PDL game 4-1 over the Yakima Reds
Yakima Reds
Yakima Reds was an American soccer team based in Yakima, Washington, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference...
on May 8, 2009 off the back of a brace by Fernando Monge, and continued their winning form throughout the early games, picking up victories over Spokane Spiders
Spokane Spiders
Spokane Spiders was an American soccer team based in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference...
and the Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's is an American soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Although founded in 2008 as part of the development system for the Portland Timbers USSF D2 organization, beginning in 2011 they are part of the development system for the Major League Soccer franchise of...
. Despite strong opposition in the ultra-competitive Northwest Division the Wolves proved to be one of the best teams in the division; they enjoyed an excellent 5-game unbeaten streak in June, coming from behind to beat Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, formerly known as Whitecaps FC Reserves, is a Canadian soccer team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Although founded in 2005 as part of the development system for the Vancouver Whitecaps USL First Division franchise, beginning in 2011 they are part of the...
2-1, enjoying solid victories over Yakima and the Abbotsford Mariners, and scoring a controversial last minute penalty kick equalizer to tie 2-2 with Tacoma Tide. In fact the only team Seattle couldn't beat were the Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas is an American soccer team based in Bremerton, Washington, United States. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.Kitsap are the reigning PDL champions,...
, who won both their regular season games on tight 2-1 and 2-0 scorelines, and ended up topping the division. The Wolves gained a crucial point with another last minute equalizer in a 3-3 tie with the Victoria Highlanders
Victoria Highlanders
Victoria Highlanders is a Canadian soccer team based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
in early July, and finished the regular season with three more victories, including an impressive 3-0 result on the road against Cascade Surge
Cascade Surge
Cascade Surge was an American soccer team based in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played its home games...
. The Wolves eventually finished third in the division, qualifying for the playoffs at the first attempt; their opponent in the Divisional First Round was Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's
Portland Timbers U23's is an American soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Although founded in 2008 as part of the development system for the Portland Timbers USSF D2 organization, beginning in 2011 they are part of the development system for the Major League Soccer franchise of...
, who they beat 3-2 in an amazing game which saw Portland lead 1-0, and then 2-1, only for Seattle striker Alex Chursky to hit two goals in the last ten minutes and send the Wolves through to the divisional final. Unfortunately for the Wolves, Kitsap again stood in their way, and the men from Bremerton completed a hat trick of wins with a 2-0 victory, ending the Wolves' playoff run. Casey Cunningham and Ely Allen
Ely Allen
Ely Allen is an American soccer player currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College:...
were the Wolves' top scorers, with 7 and 6 goals respectively, while Allen also contributed six assists.
In November 2009, the team merged with the Washington Crossfire youth soccer organization, creating a new soccer team branded as the Washington Crossfire.
Current roster
As of June 28, 2011.Notable former players
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.Ely Allen
Ely Allen
Ely Allen is an American soccer player currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College:...
Gibson Bardsley
Gibson Bardsley
Gibson Bardsley is an American soccer player currently playing for Charlotte Eagles in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and College:...
Jason Cascio
Jason Cascio
Jason Cascio is an American soccer player currently playing for Kitsap Pumas in the USL Premier Development League.-Youth and College:...
Ben Dragavon
Ben Dragavon
Ben Dragavon is an American soccer player.-Youth and College:Dragavon graduated from Monroe High School in 2002. In 2001, he backstopped the Bearcats to the Washington State 3A High School Championship. He then attended Western Washington University, playing on the men’s soccer team from 2002 to...
Noah Merl
Noah Merl
Noah Merl is an American soccer player currently playing for Seattle Wolves in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
Sean Morris
Sean Morris (soccer)
Sean Morris is an American soccer player who currently plays for Portland Timbers U23's of the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
Brian Perk
Brian Perk
Brian Perk is an American soccer player who plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 | PCSL | 3rd | Did not qualify | |
| 2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Northwest | Divisional Finals | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Northwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 7th, Northwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
Stadia
- Starfire Sports ComplexStarfire Sports ComplexStarfire Sports Complex is a sporting facility in Tukwila, Washington, on the banks of the Green River, near Seattle. It is operated by the non-profit corporation Starfire Sports. At the time of its opening, CEO Chris Slatt believed it to be "the largest synthetic-turf soccer complex in the...
; Tukwila, WashingtonTukwila, WashingtonTukwila is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The northern edge of Tukwila borders the city of Seattle. The population was 19,107 at the 2010 census.-History:...
(2008–2009) - Interbay StadiumInterbay StadiumInterbay Stadium is a 1000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Interbay, a neighborhood of Seattle, Washington....
; Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, WashingtonSeattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
(2010) - Stadium at Redmond High School; Redmond, WashingtonRedmond, WashingtonRedmond is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located east of Seattle. The population was 54,144 at the 2010 census,up from 45,256 in 2000....
(2011–present) - Stadium at Lake Washington High SchoolLake Washington High SchoolLake Washington High School is one of four high schools in the Lake Washington School District, with an enrollment of approximately 1076 students. It is in the Rose Hill neighborhood of Kirkland, Washington....
; Kirkland, WashingtonKirkland, WashingtonKirkland is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is a suburb of Seattle on the Eastside . The population was 48,787 at the 2010 census makes it the 9th largest city in King County and the 20th largest city in the state...
1 game (2011)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2008: not yet available
- 2009: 376
- 2010: 158