WISL men's season preview: Teams prepare for 2026-27 campaign

The Western Indoor Soccer League is set to begin its 2026-27 season, with teams preparing for another year of competition. Clubs across the league will look to build chemistry, develop their rosters and compete for a spot in the postseason as the indoor soccer season gets underway. From returning contenders to teams introducing new faces, each program enters the season with its own goals and expectations.

Here's a look at each team heading into the new season.

Bellingham United

Last season: 12-2-2 (League Champions)

Bellingham United enters the season looking to build on a championship finish and establish itself as a repeat championship contender.

Head coach Rich Henderson said the team's early priorities are developing a clear identity and finding the right balance between returning players and newcomers.

"We want to run the floor better than anyone, be a threat every time we have the ball, and be as organized as possible in every situation," Henderson said. "We want to be difficult to play against, but also a team that can hurt opponents in a variety of ways."

Bellingham returns a strong group of experienced players, including goalkeeper Riley Liddle, Christian Caro, Gus Diehl and Kevin Flavin. James Salisbury, Gabe Jacobsen, Danny Fazio and Thomas Watson also bring several years of experience to the roster.

The return of Noe Cruz provides another boost, while Jordan Voigt joins the group for his first full season with the team in some time.

Bellingham will also look for continued development from its younger players. Reiley Buri-Brown and Judah Straight, who finished with 14 and 16 points, respectively, last season, are expected to take on larger roles. Isaac Grimes, Gracen Connell and Julian Herring are also important pieces of the second-year group.

Newcomers Sebas Cruz, Javi Moreno, Dima Yurev and Diego Villa add further competition for roster spots.

Henderson expects the league to be competitive from top to bottom, pointing to the quality of the teams and the difficulty of road games.

"There won't be many easy nights, and that's what makes the league exciting," Henderson said. "You have to be ready every week."

Bellingham will have an opportunity to build early momentum with a couple of home games to open the season before the holiday break.

FC Olympia

Last season: Did not compete (returning to the WISL)

After spending several seasons away from the WISL, FC Olympia returns with a focus on rebuilding its program and reconnecting with the local indoor soccer community.

Club executive Ryan Perkins said the organization wants to provide an opportunity for local adult players, including college students, graduates and high school players competing at an elite level.

"Our goal is to get our teams and arena culture back up and running," Perkins said. "We want to provide a place for local adults, college players and elite high school players to put on an FC Olympia jersey and compete again."

The club's goal is to field a hungry group of local players while reestablishing its arena culture and bringing supporters back into the stands.

One familiar face returning to the organization is goalkeeper Isaiah Damschen, who previously played for FC Olympia and has consistently ranked among the WISL's top goalkeepers.

The roster will also feature several college players representing Saint Martin's, South Puget Sound Community College, Evergreen State College and other local programs.

Perkins said the team is looking forward to seeing how the returning program develops while adjusting to a league that has changed since its previous season.

The addition of teams such as Gig Harbor and South Sound, along with multiple Tacoma-area clubs, has created a more crowded and competitive South Puget Sound soccer market.

FC Olympia will look to establish itself among that group during its return season.

Snohomish Sky

Last season: 3-7-2 (sixth place)

Snohomish Sky enters the 2026-27 campaign with a larger player pool and an opportunity to bring two groups together into one competitive roster.

With Everett FC not fielding a team this season, Snohomish has welcomed several of its former players, adding depth and familiarity to the organization.

Club executive Jamie Bialek said the primary challenge will be building chemistry between the groups while maintaining the club's championship expectations.

"One of our biggest goals this season is bringing two groups together and building one strong Snohomish Sky team," Bialek said. "It's going to be exciting to see how everyone comes together and what we can accomplish."

Many of the players have competed against one another for years and already have relationships off the field, which Bialek believes will help make the transition easier.

Rather than relying on a handful of individual contributors, Snohomish expects its depth to be a major strength.

Bialek said everyone will have a role, whether through leadership, practice competition or contributions during games.

The club also wants to continue growing its program and building on what it has established.

With the WISL's competitive landscape, Snohomish knows it cannot afford to overlook opponents.

"The talent in this league is amazing, and that's what makes the WISL so competitive," Bialek said. "We can't take any game lightly. Every game matters."

South Sound FC

Last season: 6-4-2 (fourth place)

South Sound FC enters the season with championship expectations and a new head coach in Adam Becker.

A member of the original South Sound FC, Becker returns to lead the club for the 2026-27 campaign. His coaching résumé includes two EPLWA titles with Washington Premier, the 2015 USASA U23 National Championship with South Sound FC, two PASL national titles and four WISL championships. Most recently, he led the MASL Tacoma Stars.

South Sound's goal is to finish among the top two teams to secure home-field advantage and make a deep postseason run.

"Our goal isn't just to compete but to make a run for the trophy this year," Becker said. "Success will be finishing in the top two teams to gain home-field advantage and make a deep run for the final."

The club also hopes to continue developing players and creating opportunities for them to advance to the professional level.

Jaisen Zurfluh, Robby Guyer, Craig Johnson and Derek Johnson headline the returning group. The four players provide an experienced attacking presence and are expected to contribute offensively.

South Sound also adds several new players from the Tacoma Stars Reserves, including AJ Nitzel, Eddie Na, Rainier Schlekewey, Manny Nicasio, Gil De La Luz and Alan Barrajan.

The newcomers are expected to strengthen the club's depth as Becker takes over the program.

Becker identified the different arenas, playing styles and home crowds as some of the league's biggest challenges. Bellingham United and the Tacoma Stars Reserves are two opponents South Sound is particularly looking forward to facing.

Tacoma Stars Reserves

Last season: 9-3-0 (first place)

The runner-ups from last season enter the new campaign with a different group and new leadership, but the expectations remain high.

According to Tacoma Stars General Manager Nick Perera, the team's primary objective is to give players opportunities to gain meaningful indoor soccer experience while continuing to compete for wins.

"The team's goal in the WISL is to give players an opportunity to garner meaningful and impactful indoor soccer minutes, while striving to win every contest," Perera said.

The roster retains several familiar contributors, including Mark Lee, Amos, Cris Lozano, Cale Spence and Tony Pena.

Perera said the core of the team has not changed dramatically, but fans should expect to see contributions from several new faces.

Lee will take on a new role with the team, while Alex Caceres' involvement on the staff is expected to provide additional guidance and development opportunities for younger players.

One of the biggest challenges will be blending the experienced returning players with the next generation of Stars Reserves players, many of whom are still learning the indoor game.

"The biggest challenge will be creating a positive blend of our core group, which has been together for some time, and the next generation of Stars Reserves players," Perera said.

With the season beginning Nov. 7, Tacoma is looking forward to testing itself against the rest of the WISL and seeing how the new group develops.

Vancouver Storm

Last season: 2-10-0 (seventh place)

Vancouver Storm enters the season focused on building a stronger team culture, developing local players and improving its position in the WISL standings.

Club executive Pete Valdez said the organization wants to build a competitive team capable of challenging for a championship, but success extends beyond wins and losses.

The club has emphasized developing a group of local players through commitment, training and teamwork.

"We're not just building a soccer team. We're building a culture of accountability, commitment, teamwork and personal growth," Valdez said.

Luis Santamaria, one of the original founders of Vancouver Storm FC, returns as a team leader. In addition to his responsibilities on the field, Santamaria assists with coaching, player development and other organizational duties.

Jahir Beltran is another player to watch. Valdez believes the young player has the potential to attract attention from Major Arena Soccer League teams as he continues developing his indoor game.

Jared Armenta brings speed and attacking ability, while Carlos Bravo provides strength, ball control and shooting. Javier Sanchez adds leadership and defensive stability.

Photo Credit: S Lolla

Goalkeepers Jose Rodriguez and Andrew Mondragon will also play important roles.

Vancouver has made changes to help fans connect with the players, assigning permanent uniform numbers and displaying player names on the backs of jerseys throughout the season.

Valdez said the club also wants its home games at Clark County Indoor Sports Center to provide an affordable, family-friendly entertainment experience featuring indoor soccer, live music, fan interaction and giveaways.

"We want our home games to be more than just soccer matches," Valdez said. "We want them to be an exciting, affordable, family-friendly entertainment experience that brings people together."

On the field, consistency will be a major focus. Valdez pointed to the fast pace of indoor soccer and the importance of conditioning, communication, defensive positioning and player rotations.

Vancouver will face a challenging schedule against opponents including Tacoma, Bellingham, Snohomish, South Sound and Olympia.

The club hopes its continued development and growing community support will translate into improved results this season.