Readers pick top 2011 soccer stories in Washington

We’ve closed the poll and can now reveal the ranking voted on by readers of the top soccer stories in the state of Washington for 2011.

It was a year for three-peats, and http://www.goalWA.net readers rallied around two such events to put them at the top of the 2011 poll for top soccer stories in the state of Washington.

Almost 1,500 votes were cast and the Seattle Sounders winning their third straight United States Open Cup was voted top story. Close behind and riding a wave of support from Walla Walla was the three-peat of the community college Warriors Women as champions of the NWAACC, 2009-2010-2011. The Kitsap Pumas’ national championship trophy grab in the PDL finished third. Kasey Keller’s final professional season was fourth. Hope Solo’s crazy year of World Cup, dancing and nude modeling rounds out the top five. See the top twenty as they finished in the graphics below.

Other than the great showing by Warriors fans from Walla Walla, the poll doesn’t reveal too many surprises. Maybe it is a bit of a head-turner that no youth soccer story made the top ten. It isn’t a shocker that all four Seattle Sounders FC stories on the ballot made it into the final top ten. Sounders support is massive in our state.

A crystal ball for 2012

What will be some of the biggest stories in our state in 2012? A peak into my crystal soccer ball says we should look for announcements from the Sounders Women about a new head coach, and from the Tacoma / South Sound PDL franchise about a head coach and plenty of other big changes.

Will the Kitsap Pumas be able to repeat as PDL champions?

Can Michael Gspurning make a seamless transition in goal for Sounders FC? Will they 4-peat? Finally win a playoff series? Who will replace Arlo White as broadcaster?

Can the Walla Walla Warriors 4-peat? Will NWAACC soccer continue its rise in interest and quality of play?

Who will be the new head coaches at Washington State and Seattle University?

Will the PASL grow its crowds in the northwest?

Will local college soccer bring us any regional or national crowns?

How will Bellingham United perform in their first season in the PCSL?

Here comes 2012, let’s all get ready to clear one off the line!

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