South King County has its own football club, and they've been playing since 2002. Seattle Wolves FC have taken their game to Tukwila, and even before that the Wolves had humble beginnings in the Greater Seattle Soccer League (GSSL). In 2009 the Wolves moved to their highest level of competition ever when they joined the national Premier Development League (PDL) of the United Soccer Leagues. I visited with Wolves' Director of Public Relations and Marketing Alex Caulfield to learn more about the history of this Seattle soccer club.

Visit: www.SeattleWolvesFC.com

Also from Examiner: Wolves succeed at every level they climb to

The 2005 Seattle Wolves had Mojito Cafe as their shirt sponsor. The Wolves play on, but Mojito are no longer in business. The trophy is for winning the George Washington Tournament. (Seattle Wolves archives)

How/Where/When/Who were the Wolves Founded?

Believe it or not, the Seattle Wolves Football Club began in the Greater Seattle Soccer League's 4th division in 2002. The oldest men's amateur league in the country, the GSSL provided the perfect environment for like-minded individuals to get together and assemble a team. The club was founded by player/manager Adam Welch, who later passed the team onto current General Manager Andrew Opatkiewicz. As the Wolves generated more notoriety the club attracted better players, and a streamlined club culture was born. At one point the Wolves fielded a team in every division of the GSSL, winning multiple honors at each level. The club's original shirt sponsor was Mojito Cafe, which is no longer in business.

The Wolves sent us this all-time club starting eleven:

Seattle Wolves FC All-time Starting Eleven
Pos. Name Year(s) League Competition
F. Alex Chursky 2008-2009 USL-PDL, SPSL
F. Roger Levesque 2007-2008 PASL, SPSL
F. Ely Allen 2009 USL-PDL
M. John Fishbaugher 2007-2009 USL-PDL, PASL, SPSL
M. Matt Hulen 2006-2009 USL-PDL, PCSL, PASL, SPSL
M. Pedro Batres 2006-2009 USL-PDL, PCSL, PASL, SPSL, GSSL
D. Noah Merl 2007-2009 USL-PDL, PASL, SPSL
D. Daniel Scott 2007-2009 USL-PDL, PASL, SPSL
D. Taylor Graham 2007-2008 PASL, SPSL
D. Kevin Sakuda 2007-2009 USL-PDL, PASL, SPSL
GK. Brian Perk 2009 USL-PDL

Substitutes Bench
Pos. Name Year(s) League Competition
F. Allen Kohlhepp 2002-2005 GSSL
M. Karl Olson 2005-2006 SPSL, GSSL
M. Mark Williams 2006-2008 PCSL, PASL,SPSL, GSSL
M. Sean Morris 2007-2009 USL-PDL, PASL
D. Mark Allen 2006-2009 PCSL, PASL, SPSL, GSSL
D. Zach Scott 2007-2008 PASL, SPSL
GK. Sean Conlon 2007-2009 USL-PDL, PCSL, SPSL

The Wolves in a 2007 PASL soccer photo. Three current or former Sounders: Leighton O'brien, Roger Levesque and (holding program) Matt Hulen. (Seattle Wolves archives)

How many leagues have the Wolves played in?

Five leagues in total. Very few clubs have risen through the ranks of lower league football to achieve ascendancy in this country, but that is precisely what the Wolves have done in the club's short history.

Greater Seattle Soccer League (GSSL)
Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Starfire Premier Soccer League (PASL)
Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL)
USL Premier Development League (PDL)

The Wolves get ready to kick off against Volvo Team Sweden in September of 2006. (Seattle Wolves archive)

When did the Wolves start having multiple teams?

In 2006, when Opatkiewicz and Assistant General Manager Clay Walton-House assumed control of the Wolves. At this time the club grew to include three GSSL teams before moving on to the top men's amateur league in the state, the Starfire Premier Soccer League.

Seattle hosts a friendly with the Clearwater Galactics in their "red v" kits. (Seattle Wolves archives)

What different venues have the Wolves called home?

Memorial Stadium - GSSL
Starfire Stadium - all other competitions
 

Is anyone from 2002 still involved today?

Adam Welch is the only member of the club from 2002 active today in some capacity. Welch remains on the club's Advisory Board of Directors.

2008 Kennedy Cup Champions (PCSL). (Seattle Wolves archives)

What are considered the 'biggest wins' in Wolves history?

While there were some great victories during the club's early years, the inaugural season in the Premier Development League was filled with fantastic results. The Wolves posted an 11-4-3 record in 2009, en route to the postseason and the Northwest Division Final. The first round playoff victory over Portland was arguably the biggest victory in franchise history, as the club battled from behind on the road and defeated the Timbers 3-2 at PGE Park. Striker Alex Chursky scored a hat trick, capping an incredible individual season. The 2008 John F. Kennedy Cup Final victory over Surrey United also ranks as a key moment in the Wolves' history.

Alex Chursky goes off in Portland last PDL season, scoring a hat trick at PGE Park to lift the Wolves to a memorable playoff triumph over the Timbers U-23's. (Seattle Wolves archive)

The original 2002 Seattle Wolves crest.

How was the badge created?

Adam Welch created the original crest (picture attached to this e-mail), incorporating European elements such as the name bar, quadrant crest, and rampart lion. The present crest is a modification of the original in an attempt to modernize this traditional football fixture. It was completed in the winter of 2007 by Kotis Design.

The current Seattle Wolves crest.

See more: Seattle Wolves wiki page