OLYMPIA, WA – The Artesians had a busy “path to pro” summer in 2024 having fielded four teams which included its nationwide USL W League (USLW), USL League Two (USL2) franchises as well as local state pro-am leagues in the Evergreen Premier League of Washington (EPLWA) and Cascadia Premier League (CPL). The hardware that was taken home was immense especially on the women’s side of the program who took home both division titles with USLW and CPL.
FC Olympia would see a flurry of players signing pro contracts between April and August with major USL Super League contracts by Artesian Standouts Mariah Lee (DC Power), Kailey Utley (Lexington Sporting Club) and Neeku Purcell (Brooklyn FC). Cameron Miller who played for the USL2 national playoff contenders in 2023 signed a USL League One contract with Spokane Velocity. Additionally Kaitlyn Abrams signed a pro deal in Serbia with Spartak and Suzuka Yosue in Greece with REA.
“I thought as a whole 2024 was one of the most successful years the Artesians have had especially with the most pro athlete contracts signed” said FC Olympia principal owner Ryan Perkins. “7 total athletes that played here in Thurston County at South Sound Stadium in our USL Franchises are now playing on your television screen at home and that’s one of the big reasons we do this. To see these amazing athletes now, in-person here in our backyard before they go big. I hope local kid’s get inspired by these athletes.”
FC Olympia players across the nation prepare for their college seasons with preseason action happening in August and regular season play beginning in September. Here is a list of who will be competing this fall in college and our top four players by minute cards in 2024 for USL2 and USLW players.
Multiple NCAA and NAIA athletes are also preparing for a busy fall of college soccer from our CPL and EPLWA teams. Please review the list of this predominantly local colleges to root on the Artesians.
The Artesians hosted several youth camps this summer for the first time and featured several players and coaches. Local colleges such as Evergreen State College, Saint Martin’s and Pacific Lutheran University had players at the camps working with local youth. Peyton Rhyne, an Artesian standout with our Arena and NWPL teams is a Geoduck and was a camp manager for most of the summer before reporting to Evergreen’s campus for fall camp. Trevor Fetbrandt from the Tenino High School soccer program stepped in this August to oversee camps and brought some amazing local coaches and player guests to help camps. Mix of USL, EPLWA, WISL and High School athletes inspired the local kiddo’s.
A shout out to Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Olympia Federal Savings for supporting FC Olympia youth outreach in 2024. Over $10,000 in scholarships and discounts were provided since January 1 for skills clinics, holiday camps and full week summer camp tuitions to families from around Thurston County.
Camps were primarily based at the City of Lacey’s Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) but during a heat wave in July the Artesian Youth Camp moved to the Evergreen State College gymnasium and fields to accommodate families.
Stay tuned for fall clinics and winter camps with your FC Olympia Artesians.
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