One of the strongest divisions in the USL W League just got stronger this year as the league announced the divisional alignments on Wednesday morning with seven teams competing in the Northwest Division.
Last season, Salmon Bay FC fell just short of the playoffs and the NW Division crown, even after having the best defense in the nation. In 2026, Salmon Bay will look to clinch a playoff berth for the first time, but it will not be easy.
Three-time defending division champions, FC Olympia, will be favorites to win a fourth straight division title and clinch the Northwest’s lone playoff spot. FC Olympia has been in USLW since 2023, and has won the division in each year. However in 2026, they will have their most competition yet. Last season, Salmon Bay FC and FC Olympia faced off twice. Salmon Bay FC defeated FC Olympia 1-0 at Interbay Stadium, but then in the Olympia’s regular season finale they managed a scoreless draw in the state capitol to clinch the division title.
The two new teams that will help raise the standard are Snohomish United and the Portland Cherry Bombs. Both of these teams have USL League Two counterparts (Snohomish United and the Portland Bangers) that started in 2025, and are now ready to compete on both the men’s and women’s sides.
Snohomish United will feature a roster heavily influenced by the Crossfire (XF) Premier Academy and will play their soccer on one of the few grass fields, right near downtown Snohomish.
Just like the Bangers, the Portland Cherry Bombs are part of the Portland Pickles (minor league baseball) organization and should have a built-in fan base right away. The Cherry Bombs don’t yet have a terrifying mascot, but do not be surprised to see an enormous cherry along the sidelines this May. The Cherry Bombs are the only Oregon team in the 2026 NW Division.
In the Seattle area we have a trio of teams left to preview: West Seattle Rhodies FC, Bigfoot FC, and the Tacoma Galaxy.
The Rhodies play their soccer in West Seattle and are the sister club to West Seattle Junction FC. In 2025, the Rhodies finished third in the NW Division and are currently the only team to have beaten Salmon Bay FC. The Rhodies are coached by Lyndsey Patterson, wife of Salmon Bay FC Head Coach Malia Arrant, which makes for a fun battle every time these two teams face off. Arrant will be looking to get back the house bragging rights in 2026.
The Tacoma Galaxy, just like the Tacoma Stars, are a professional indoor soccer team that also has a USL W League team competing in the summer. In 2025, the Galaxy were led by their defense which and goalkeeper Malie Chamberland. I. 2025, Salmon Bay FC only managed two goals across two meetings with the Galaxy, winning 1-0 at Interbay Stadium in the USLW Home Opener and then drawing 1-1 on the road in Tacoma.
Bigfoot FC round out the seven teams competing the NW Division in 2026. The club is owned by West Coast Goalkeeping, a popular soccer brand specializing in goalie gloves. Last season, Salmon Bay FC won both meetings with Samiah Shell scoring five goals across the two matches. Shell and her Salmon Bay teammates will look to do the same in 2026.
After losing just once, only allowing two goals, and finishing just a point shy of the division title in 2025, Coach Arrant and Salmon Bay FC will be hungry to win their first NW Division crown in 2026. However, the six other clubs in the division have their eyes on the exact same prize.
Written by Max Dresbach
