Seattle Reign FC is set to pay homage to the pioneering athletes of the 1985 United States Women’s National Team during their first annual Queen’s Match against Chicago Stars FC on August 18 at Lumen Field.
This significant event will celebrate the legacy of the initial USWNT, who came together four decades ago in Jesolo, Italy, to compete in the Mundialito tournament.
Though they may not have realized it at the time, this group of trailblazers ignited a 40-year legacy of U.S. dominance in women’s soccer globally.
The impact of the 85ers is undeniable, as their contributions paved the way for historic milestones in U.S. Soccer, including the triumphs of the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup and five Olympic gold medals.
The origins of this monumental story are rooted in the Seattle area, where eight of the 17 players on the inaugural roster, along with Head Coach Mike Ryan, hailed from.
Michelle Akers, a legend in women’s soccer and a scoring powerhouse with 107 goals in 155 caps, is one of the notable members of the 85ers who calls this region home.
Akers, who made history by scoring the first goal for the U.S. Women’s program at the Mundialito tournament, would go on to secure two FIFA World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal in 1996.
Reflecting on her development in the Seattle area, Akers expressed, “The whole culture of the Seattle soccer community and the love for the game itself, that is like the foundation of everything and I believe why I was so good.
Once I left there and went to college and started playing for the USA – my development [in Seattle] was like no other in the world.”
Six players from the 1985 team furthered their careers in college soccer within the region, contributing to Washington’s reputation as a soccer stronghold.
Cindy Gordon and Kathy Ridgewell-Williams honed their skills at Western Washington University, while Lori Sweeney and Denise Boyer-Merich came through the University of Puget Sound program.
Denise Bender represented both the University of Washington and Washington State University, and Sharon McMurtry played college basketball at Seattle University.
Gordon noted the importance of these local programs by stating, “When I went to college, I went to Western and it was the only four-year public university in Washington state that had women’s soccer.
We were kind of fortuitous and had the help of a lot of people in the area.
I think that helped push the soccer.”
For many years, Washington state has been a vanguard for the women’s game, laying the groundwork for future USWNT and NWSL athletes like Hope Solo, Justi Baumgardt, Sally Menti, and Morgan Weaver.
The Queen’s Match holds personal significance for the members of the 1985 team who emerged from the Seattle soccer scene, marking a full circle in their journey.
Akers shared her sentiments about the match, saying, “Being part of the beginning in the Seattle area, being developed in the Seattle area, feeling grateful for the people who invested in my career and life, and then having such appreciation for evolution of the game.
Knowing that Seattle was this foundation of greatness, it’s pretty special to come back and get to stand on the field and be celebrated.
To have that part of history celebrated is special, because the ‘85 team hasn’t been recognized and hasn’t been talked about.
The stories haven’t been told.
It’s had very little acknowledgment and so to have that in Seattle for the first time is pretty special.”
The narrative of the 85ers has dramatically faded from mainstream consciousness, but their groundbreaking efforts are crucial to the legacy of excellence established by the U.S. Women’s National Team.
On Monday night, these trailblazers will return home, bringing their impactful history back to the community that shaped them.
Akers encapsulated the emotional journey by stating, “It’s very emotional.
I think because of the last 40 years of hard work, they’re still going.
We were the first U.S. Women’s National Team.
We kicked ass.
We deserve to be recognized, and we deserve to be included in the U.S. Women’s National Team legacy.
Not only that, but we are part of Seattle’s legacy as well.”
image source from:reignfc