Davy Coetzer, Seawolves Overcome Late Front Row Red in 33-16 Win over Old Glory
TUKWILA, Wash. - Before the 2026 season began, it wasn’t clear at all how the Seawolves stacked up against their five opponents. All the teams in the MLR consolidated talent from the folded teams, but as to the strength of each team as compared to each other, there wasn’t a whole lot to go off of besides conjecture. It was clear Anthem were majorly improved while the defending champion Free Jacks lost a grand total of 13 Canadian-eligible players and had a heap of general turnover. But with all the chaos, last year’s point totals, win totals, and point differentials weren’t the biggest thing weighing in the preseason projections.
In the first week, however, the team with a positive-38 point differential last year beat the team with a minus-40. Both sides had to work past some early season jitters, but with a new elite flyhalf in tow and the home turf grit to battle past a late red, the Seawolves logged the opening win under the Friday night Starfire lights.
Davy Coetzer had an excellent first match with the Seawolves, scoring 18 of Seattle’s 33 points.
A couple of Old Glory penalties in the early minutes led to offseason-acquired flyhalf Davy Coetzer’s first penalty kick of the season in the fourth minute. It was a relatively easy shot in windless conditions, but Coetzer shanked it a bit to the left and it bounced off the post into the visitors’ hands. That, along with a couple half-fumbles, was the only real mistake Coetzer made all match.
Top-30/Local Visits Tracker: Who Have Seahawks Met With Leading Up to 2026 NFL Draft?
With the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror and free agency well underway, the Seattle Seahawks and all 32 NFL teams are in the midst of scheduling and conducting their pre-draft top-30 visits.
In this process, each NFL team can bring in up to 30 players to their respective facilities for interviews and meetings with coaches as well as medical examinations and physicals. In addition, teams can also bring in local players for official visits, which do not count as one of the top-30 visits. While these on-site meetings are only part of the evaluation process leading up to the three-day event, they can play a critical role in determining where each player ends up on draft weekend.
Which players have already met with the Seahawks or are scheduled to come to town for top-30 visits and local visits before the 2026 NFL Draft?
Analysis: Identifying Best Guard Fits for Seahawks’ 2026 Draft Picks
In quite the turn of events, after years of struggling to maintain continuity and playing an endless game of musical chairs on the offensive line, the Seattle Seahawks look to be well set in the trenches for the foreseeable future thanks to a strong commitment from general manager John Schneider drafting, developing, and retaining talent up front.
Over the past calendar year, Schneider invested a first round pick in an instant starter in Grey Zabel at left guard, unearthed an undrafted gem in center Jalen Sundell, and locked up bookend tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas with multi-year extensions, ensuring all four of those players would be under contract together for at least the next two seasons. Of those four players, only Sundell may hit free agency before 2028, as he will be a restricted free agent next spring.
With most of the offensive line under club control, the Seahawks only have one significant question on their offensive line with starting right guard Anthony Bradford entering the final year of his rookie deal. The oft-maligned former fourth round pick out of LSU has been wildly inconsistent in his first three seasons, but under the tutelage of coach John Benton, he made substantial improvements last year, including allowing just one sack in Seattle’s final 10 regular season games. Still, the jury remains out on whether he should be brought back on a second contract, making the position a potential area of need for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Looking at this year’s latest crop of guards, which players stand out as the best potential fits to compete against and/or eventually replace Bradford for 2026 and beyond with each of their four selections?
Injured Storm G Nika Mühl Selected By Portland Fire in WNBA Expansion Draft
Guard Nika Mühl, who tore her ACL in early March for the second straight year and had surgery on March 31, was the only Seattle Storm player selected in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft. The Portland Fire selected Mühl with their last pick in the draft.
The Storm knew early enough that Mühl was going to miss the entire 2026 season, which is clearly why they didn’t protect her in the draft. There’s a chance she would’ve remained unprotected even if she were healthy after playing in just 16 games since being drafted in 2024.
Previewing Seawolves Season, First Match versus Old Glory
With six teams remaining in Major League Rugby and 10 games upcoming for the Seattle Seawolves, what will this season look like for the league’s first champions?
For starters, the league’s big contraction over the offseason has concentrated remaining talent among the six teams, and further restrictions on international players have led to these teams having much more domestic rosters.
The shake-ups were no more apparent than when Anthem Rugby Carolina, who had gone winless in their first two seasons, notched a clean 39-26 victory on the road against the combined California Legion in the league’s first match on Saturday, March 28.
Sounders Sign Peter Kingston to First-Team Deal
The Seattle Sounders signed Tacoma Defiance midfielder Peter Kingston to a contract through the end of the season, with options for the 2027 and 2027-28 seasons, on Friday morning.
The move comes after weeks of lobbying from head coach Brian Schmetzer, injuries and transfers of key depth pieces.
Kingston, who played for the Sounders academy growing up, has had a unique journey to the first team.
Kraken the Ice: Have Kraken Become Calamari After Latest Deflating Loss to Mammoth?
While they still haven't been eliminated from playoff competition, the Kraken's chances continue to plummet by day as they suffered another devasting loss to the Mammoth.
Emerald City Spectrum writer Nick Lee offers up an unofficial obituary to Seattle's playoff chances after the latest defeat, explains why the time is now to extend Bobby McMann as he continues to score points in bunches, and breaks down what fans should be watching for the remainder of the season with the playoffs being a long shot.
Huskies Ready to Pad Up and Find Out ‘Who the Real Dawgs Are’
SEATTLE, Wash. — The first two days of Huskies spring football show a team that looks ready to take another step or two forward this season.
They look big, fast, lively and engaged. Practices move quickly, with virtually no wasted time as players move from drill to drill, station to station.
Washington’s second-year defensive coordinator Ryan Walters wants to see more, however. He’ll get that opportunity on Saturday, when UW players put on pads for the first time this spring and pop each other during live sessions.
“This is fake football out here right now. We’re out here in shorts and T-shirts. That’s not how the game is played. We’ll find out who the real dawgs are.”
Kraken Blow Lead, Allow Six Unanswered in Critical Loss to Utah
SEATTLE, Wash. - Jacob Melanson was doing Jacob Melanson things.
Moments after beating out a potential icing for the Seattle Kraken, which faced the Utah Mammoth at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday, the 22-year-old forward redirected a Ryan Lindgren shot past Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka to extend Seattle’s lead to 3-1 early in the second period.
That kind of high-motor, physical play getting instantly rewarded is just what a Kraken team fighting for a Western Conference wild card spot needs. Instead, it was instantly stripped away.
The Mammoth successfully challenged for goaltender interference, bringing the score back to 2-1. Utah tied it four minutes later, erasing its 2-0 deficit and scoring four more unanswered goals to secure a 6-2 win.
‘I Love Winning More Than I Hate Losing’: Colt Emerson Looks to Take Situational ‘Winning Player’ Approach to Mariners
TACOMA, Wash. - Colt Emerson may not have yet seen a major league pitch in his 20 years on this earth, but he already has an almost nine-figure contract extension with the Seattle Mariners. And, it seems, he already has a two-word motto: “winning player”.
When Emerson comes to the bat, that’s the first thing that goes through his mind. In a minor league world where the process of prospect development and the results on the field for the team at hand must coexist, Emerson’s process is to try for the best result.
“Read the situation and what’s going to help the team win. What’s going to help score a run here or make a play here,” Emerson said about his approach. “Really just catered towards what’s going to help the team at the end of the day.”
Three-Year Outlook: Seahawks Face a Few Pressing Questions on Defense Beyond 2026
As the calendar flips to April and the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in the heat of the offseason, continuing to look into ways to improve their roster scanning the free agent market along with wrapping up draft evaluations while also exploring extensions to retain several of their top players.
While building the best roster for the upcoming season remains the top goal with eyes on defending their Super Bowl title, Seahawks general manager John Schneider also has to be cognizant of the future, making every decision in regard to free agency, extensions, and the draft with a multi-year window in mind.
Now less than a month away from the draft, how does Seattle’s defense look for both the present and the future?
Gonzaga Bulldogs Guard Cade Orness to Enter Transfer Portal
The first member of the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ 2025-26 roster to move on from the program this offseason, Cade Orness announced via Instagram on Wednesday that he would be entering the transfer portal.
“This has been one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make,” Orness wrote. “There’s a lot that comes with stepping away from a special place like this, especially because of the people and relationships that have meant so much to me. But after a lot of thought and prayer, I have peace in knowing this is the next step for me in my journey through life and basketball.”
Redshirting for the past two seasons, Orness appeared in eight games with the Zags – all of them during this past season. The 6-5 guard initially made the team in 2024-25 as a walk-on but earned a scholarship before his second year at the collegiate level. Orness totaled three points, one defensive rebound, one assist, and a steal. He also shot 1-of-2 from the field and was 1-for-5 at the free-throw line in his action on the floor.
UW Extends Huskies WBB Coach Tina Langley Through 2031-32 season
The University of Washington and women’s basketball head coach Tina Langley have agreed to a landmark six-year contract extension worth $7.1 million, the school announced on Thursday.
With the new deal, Langley will be under contract with the Huskies through the 2031-32 season. The school locked down the coach who has brought the women’s program immense success over the last few seasons.
2026 NFL Draft: Ranking 10 Possible Picks for Seahawks to Take at No. 32 in First Round
The calendar has turned to April. For some, that means baseball season. For others, The Masters, the Final Four, or planting a garden, or looking forward to longer hours of daylight. For football fans, that means the NFL Draft is closing in.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from April 23 to 25. By virtue of winning the Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks have the last pick in the draft, selecting 32nd overall. Certainly, that’s the goal for every NFL franchise to be picking last in the draft because that means you just hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
Indeed, the defending champs have a host of needs heading into the draft. They didn’t address needs with major moves in free agency. Their biggest moves, aside from re-signing a few of their own, were to sign running back Emanuel Wilson and corner Noah Igbinoghene, both getting just one-year deals under $2 million.
Now, the main way teams can improve their team between now and fall is via the draft. Who might the Seahawks take at 32 (if they pick there at all)? Which options are better than others?
Transfer Portal Strikes Again as Cougars Lose Two More Starters
The transfer portal has bit the Washington State Cougars yet again, as ND Okafor and Rihards Vavers have both entered their names. With two more departures, as of this publication, Ace Glass, Jerone Morton, Dominik Robinson, and Brunel Madzou are the only scholarship players remaining from last year’s roster.
Only two weeks after initially refuting an earlier report that he planned to go elsewhere, Vavers entered the transfer portal after developing into one of the Cougars’ top perimeter threats. After starting his career at Quinnipiac, the Latvian native became known primarily as a sharpshooter during his time in Pullman. Vavers took a significant step forward from year one to year two, showing improvement in his ability to attack off the dribble while also flashing growth defensively.
Sluggish Mariners Start Hitting Late, Drop Series to Yankees
Things won’t usually go well when you are scoreless for 16 straight innings and score one run in the span of 23 innings. Seattle dealt with quite a lot of those stretches in 2025, and even with a bolstered offense for the new year, it looks like that issue won’t go away, even if it’s the heart of the lineup in the doghouse this time.
Seattle made it interesting in the late innings, but too many mistakes on all sides of the ball gave Cole Young, one of the M’s riding a hot streak, the unfortunate task of being the final out.
George Kirby deals through five but gets some dear punishment from Paul Goldschmidt after walking two in the sixth.
If “Furious George” had forgotten how much he hates walks before Wednesday’s action, his second start of the season surely reminded him. All three batters Kirby walked came around to score, starting in the first inning as Cody Bellinger walked and stole second before Ben Rice scorched a double down the right field line for New York’s first run.
Storm G Nika Mühl to Miss 2nd Straight WNBA Season With Torn ACL
Seattle Storm guard Nika Mühl underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, March 31, to repair a torn ACL she suffered while playing for Croatia — her home country — in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers, the Storm announced on Wednesday.
It’s another massive blow to Mühl’s professional basketball career, as she will miss a second-straight WNBA season. Mühl missed the 2025 season also due to a torn ACL, which was also suffered while playing overseas.
By the end of the 2026 season, Mühl, a 2024 second-round pick in the WNBA Draft, will have appeared in just 16 games in three seasons since joining the Storm.
Three-Year Outlook: Seahawks in Great Shape for Present, Future Offensively
As the calendar flips to April and the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in the heat of the offseason, continuing to look into ways to improve their roster scanning the free agent market along with wrapping up draft evaluations while also exploring extensions to retain several of their top players.
While building the best roster for the upcoming season remains the top goal with eyes on defending their Super Bowl title, Seahawks general manager John Schneider also has to be cognizant of the future, making every decision in regard to free agency, extensions, and the draft with a multi-year window in mind.
Now less than a month away from the draft, how does Seattle’s offense look for both the present and the future?
Analysis: Five Thoughts on Mariners Extending Colt Emerson
News broke early Tuesday morning that the Seattle Mariners agreed to an eight-year, $95 million contract extension with 20-year-old top prospect Colt Emerson (MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 overall prospect and the team’s No. 1). It includes an $8 million signing bonus, a ninth-year club option (valued around $25 million), escalators that could push the total value north of $130 million, and a full no-trade clause.
A deal this big for a player this young - and one who has yet to make his MLB debut at that - always brings eyeballs. Diving into the surprising extension, what stands out for Emerson and the Mariners? Five thoughts:
This is a risk for BOTH sides
This is the largest contract handed out to a player who has yet to play a single inning in the major leagues. That statement alone implies the risks on the Seattle Mariners’ side. Emerson could blow his knee out tomorrow (I didn’t even want to put that out in the universe), and the Mariners would still owe him that money. Even if he doesn’t play an inning for the Mariners ever, that’s still his money either way. Or, he could end up being simply a below average big leaguer as Jarred Kelenic did. We see it all the time with star prospects flaming out and failing to meet expectations.
Huskies’ Offensive Line, Freshmen Roles Take Shape at First Day of Spring Ball
SEATTLE, Wash. — It’s a long time before the Huskies begin the 2026 season with the Apple Cup, but Washington appears ready to roll with true freshmen at key spots on the offensive and defensive lines.
UW coaches wasted no time on Day 1 of spring ball giving five-star recruit Kodi Greene the first crack at left tackle while rolling out the highest-rated in-state recruit, Derek Colman-Brusa, in the middle of the defensive line with the first team.
The team’s not in pads yet, so there will undoubtedly be dog days that lie ahead for the youngsters. But these aren’t your typical freshmen. Greene, listed at 6-6, 321 pounds, appeared to move like very few humans that size. Similarly, Derek Colman-Brusa fit right in at defensive tackle at 6-5, 295 pounds.
"There's certain guys that, just based upon their physical skill set, we're giving some opportunities to," Washington head coach Jedd Fisch said. "Then we'll rotate through that and make sure as the spring goes, different guys will get different opportunities."
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