OLYMPIA, WA — FC Olympia and Thurston County served as the gathering location for the west coast footprint of USL this month as club owners and general managers from the USL W League and USL League Two convened for a regional planning summit at the Olympia Harbor House in downtown Olympia last Thursday. This was a space for USL club leadership across the region to align on 2026 season rules, scheduling, operational standards and the many details that go into running a successful divisional summer campaign.
The symposium was held at a city-owned rental venue set right on the docks at Percival Landing with the marina as a backdrop, attendees spent the day collaborating, sharing best practices and strengthening relationships. All the while most getting their first taste of downtown Olympia’s walkable core, local food and waterfront energy.
“It was a pleasure having our annual USL scheduling meeting in Olympia at the Harbor House this year!”
“It was a fantastic environment for what was a productive meeting with our full 2026 schedules now set in place. The beautiful views of the marina and delicious food from Charro was the perfect setting for our clubs from across the PNW to gather for this annual meeting.”
Sam Zisette (Ballard FC & USL League Two NW Executive)
A Growing Northwest Story
The meeting also offered a moment to reflect on how far the Northwest Division has come in a short time. Ballard FC and FC Olympia remain the two oldest clubs in the division, both launching in 2022 with USL League Two. In 2023 FC Olympia became the first Washington-based club to add a USL W League women’s franchise — an early step before the rapid regional USL growth for women’s path to pro soccer.
Since then, the division has expanded to include clubs such as Bigfoot FC, Snohomish United, West Seattle Junction FC, West Seattle Rhodies, Tacoma Stars, Tacoma Galaxy, and—newest Oregon-based club the Portland Bangers and Portland Cherry Bombs. The result is a deeper, more competitive landscape heading into 2026, with multiple new teams and continued west coast expansion.
As with any evolving league, there have also been division changes. Clubs such as Lane United are no longer around having renovated their Eugene, OR stadium to take on pro USL League One operations.
Olympia Community Center Stage
Hosting the symposium in Olympia highlighted the role local partners play in making league collaboration possible. Visiting staff were hosted at Ramada by Wyndham of College Street and Martin Way, while dinner was provided by Charro Mexican Restaurant giving attendees a true taste of clubs valuable partners and local hospitality. From hotels and restaurants to the waterfront venue itself, a number of local businesses helped bring the West Coast USL gathering to life.
“This kind of face-to-face collaboration is invaluable“
“Also getting folks to pull off Interstate 5 between Seattle and Portland to experience Olympia has always been our goal in being a formidable visitors convention bureau partner.”
-Ryan Perkins (FC Olympia, Board President)
As clubs turn the page now toward the summer season stay tuned for the official schedule release from USL which is expected within the next month — also the announcement of season tickets, gear and more from FC Olympia.
Photos from the event were captured by C-Sharp Images, local Olympia photographer.
