WATCH: Recapping an Up-and-Down Start for Reign in 2026
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Qasim Ali breaks down a rocky start to the Seattle Reign’s 2026 season. Seattle is 4-5-2 at the World Cup/CBA break with 19 games to play, leaving the Reign in 10th place in the NWSL and out of playoff positioning — down from a fifth-place finish in 2025. Seattle has managed a win in just one of its final seven games before the break.
Seattle’s offense is tied for the second-least productive group in the league, while the defense is tied for the fourth-fewest goals allowed as head coach Laura Harvey's young squad struggles to find consistency in the face of key injuries and growing pains. Still, with such a young squad, the Reign can’t be counted out yet.
Cooper Kupp, Seahawks Aiming to Keep Championship ‘Standard’ in Brian Fleury’s Offense
Learning a new offense for the third straight season under a new coordinator in Brian Fleury during the heat of OTA workouts, Seattle Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp discusses how the new play caller has done a fine job of meshing his system with the team’s personnel and upheld the lofty standards set by the defending Super Bowl champions so far.
Huskies Reel in Four-Star WR Tre Moore to Add to 2027 Class
Landing their first prospect from the state of Texas for their Class of 2027, the Washington Huskies beat out Ohio State and Miami for the commitment from standout receiver Tre Moore, adding playmaking juice to an increasingly exciting crop of recruits.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Aaron Coe breaks down Moore's decision to pick the Huskies over two of college football's true blue blood programs and how his arrival can boost Jedd Fisch's offense in the near future.
Mariners Groove Back Over .500, Take Game 2 vs. Diamondbacks
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Callaghan Bluechel goes over the Mariners' Saturday win against the Diamondbacks, their position in the AL West, and what has produced their five-game win streak.
Kraken the Ice: Can Berkly Catton Elevate Game Entering Second NHL Season?
The Seattle Kraken face a pivotal offseason as top prospect Alexis Bernier signed his entry-level deal and rookie standout Berkly Catton looks to elevate his game. Can the franchise finally unlock the full potential of its young stars and transform player development woes into progress?
Emerald City Spectrum writer Nick Lee breaks down Bernier’s arrival from the QMJHL and examines Catton’s growth after his rookie campaign, raising crucial questions about the organization’s talent pipeline. The episode also spotlights veteran Jaden Schwartz’s uncertain future as free agency nears, emphasizing Seattle’s pressing need for fresh scoring talent and a youth infusion. Get ready for insider analysis on roster challenges, draft positioning, and which pending free agents—like Jamie Oleksiak—could define the Kraken’s next chapter.
The Montlake Report: Big Weekend on Tap as Huskies Welcome 2027 Recruits for Visits
Washington Huskies football gears up for a pivotal recruiting stretch as elite recruits arrive for key campus visits. Can four-star quarterback Blake Roscopf and edge prospect Chaz Gray be the cornerstones of a top-15 class?
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Aaron Coe spotlights high-profile visitors, including wide receiver Dante Tyson and cornerback Jalen Hill, and breaks down which positions are still lacking—most notably on the offensive line. With the Big Ten season looming, the Huskies’ strategy to bulk up in the trenches comes to the forefront as linemen like Reis Russell and Jacoby Doyle headline upcoming visit weekends. The show details recent roster additions, such as Joseph Peco, and assesses how recruiting momentum under Coach Fisch could shape the program’s future. Will Washington maintain its stronghold on in-state talent and flip late commits as signing day approaches?
WATCH: Recapping Sounders Solid Start, And Late Troubles, Ahead of the World Cup
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Qasim Ali breaks down a 7-3-3 start to the Seattle Sounders’ 2026 campaign. The team started 6-1-1 before falling into a slump and entering the June FIFA World Cup break at sixth in the Western Conference.
The Sounders will be back in action on July 16 against their rival Portland Timbers, as Cristian Roldan (United States) is the only Seattle player rostered for the World Cup.
Gonzaga Joins Staggering Field in Expanding 2026 Players Era Tournament
The Gonzaga Bulldogs will be seeking redemption in the expanded Players Era Tournament. Roster shakeups at Kansas State and high-profile matchups with Baylor, Alabama, and potential rematches with tournament champion Michigan set the stage for an electric preseason showdown in Las Vegas. Emerald City Spectrum reporter Howard Woodard highlights the Zags’ challenging non-conference schedule, featuring dates with Purdue and Duke, and explores how a blend of returning talent and incoming transfers position Gonzaga as a top-10 contender. He examines the Players Era tournament’s new two-week format, bracket predictions, tougher competition, and which matchups could ignite new rivalries.
Kraken the Ice: How Can Seattle Execute ‘Prolific” Offseason?
The Seattle Kraken eye a “prolific offseason" with a new regime in charge after missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, but will bold words translate to pivotal on-ice upgrades?
On a new Kraken the Ice podcast, Emerald City Spectrum writer Nick Lee breaks down the Kraken’s ambitions, highlighting key offseason tasks like re-signing Bobby McMann and leveraging two first-round draft picks for maximum impact, potentially looking to acquire a proven scoring blue liner via trade. The discussion explores possibilities on defense and offense, including spotlighting prospects such as Chase Reid, Ethan Belchetz, and Dax Rudolph to bolster Seattle’s roster. Can management deliver meaningful roster changes, and will hard decisions - such as potentially moving Shane Wright - help reset the franchise’s direction?
WATCH: Reign Break Scoreless Streak, Beat Expansion Boston 2-1
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Qasim Ali breaks down a 2-1 win for the Seattle Reign over the Boston Legacy (2-6-3) on Friday night. Seattle improved to 4-4-2 and broke a five-game scoreless streak thanks to goals from Sofia Huerta and Maddie Dahlien, conceding a late stoppage-time goal to spoil a clean-sheet performance.
Gonzaga Boosts Frontcourt With Izan Almansa as Eligibility Concerns Remain
The Gonzaga Bulldogs made a major frontcourt splash with the reported commitment of 6-10 Spanish forward Izan Almansa, setting up one of the most intriguing big man rotations in college hoops.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Howard Woodard spotlights Almansa’s journey from Real Madrid and G League Ignite to the NBL’s Perth Wildcats and now the NCAA and how his arrival potentially bolsters Gonzaga’s depth alongside Masamba Diop and Braden Huff, and coach Mark Few’s navigation of the NCAA eligibility maze as the Zags aim to build one of the nation's most formidable frontcourts for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Huskies Outclass Rivals, Sign Prized DT Tevita Nonu to 2027 Class
Keeping one of state’s prized 2027 recruits in town, the Washington Huskies made waves by landing O'Dea four-star defensive tackle Tevita Nonu, who selected UW over the likes of Big Ten rivals Oregon and UCLA among other Power 4 programs.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Aaron Coe breaks down what sets Nonu apart as one of the top prospects in his class, including his sheer athleticism, relentless motor, and scheme versatility, while spotlighting the Huskies’ recruiting momentum under coach Jedd Fisch and the significance of building a pipeline from powerhouse in-state programs like O’Dea.
Kraken the Ice: Examining Potential Seattle Targets With No. 7 Pick in 2026 NHL Draft
Failing to make the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, the Seattle Kraken once again find themselves doing some soul searching as the franchise tries to find a way to consistently contend this offseason.
Emerald City Spectrum writer Nick Lee examines head coach Lane Lambert's role in the team's disappointing finish and why he deserves at least one more season to prove he can turn things around, dishes out end of year superlatives for Kraken standouts, as well as disappointments, and takes a close look at three potential targets for Seattle with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Should Seahawks Break Bank, Sign Devon Witherspoon to Record-Setting Extension?
The Seahawks face one more major pivotal offseason decision before training camp arrives in late July: Can they secure Devon Witherspoon’s future after making Jaxon Smith-Njigba the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history earlier in the spring? With Witherspoon’s elite coverage, hard-hitting run defense, and game-changing blitz ability, his contributions often out-weigh his overall production, which could complicate negotiations on a massive extension.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Corbin Smith examines the complexities of Seattle building around young stars, weighing Witherspoon’s All-Pro impact and locker room leadership against concerns about durability and statistical production. Key topics include John Schneider’s contract strategy, the influence of Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme, how Witherspoon’s unique skills set him apart from traditional corners, and whether the former top-five pick is worth $30-plus million per year.
Could Cal Raleigh’s Injured List Trip Be a Good Thing for Mariners Over Long Haul?
Batting barely over .160, Cal Raleigh's struggles at the plate have played a big role in the Mariners' sluggish start to the 2026 season, and now the team will be without him for at least a few weeks.
Emerald City Spectrum writer Nick Lee examines Raleigh's tough run at the plate thus far and why a break to get back to 100% health may be exactly what the player and team needs to be able to get back on track in time to start pushing for a playoff spot once the calendar flips to June.
The Montlake Report: Which Huskies' Running Backs Will Seize Opportunity in Wide Open Backfield?
The Washington Huskies face a backfield puzzle as Quaid Carr, Jayden Limar, Trey Cooley, and Jordan Washington jockey for carries under head coach Jedd Fisch’s historically committee-style approach. Can any of these running backs break through, or will health and spring performances keep the depth chart in flux? As Jonah Coleman heads to the NFL and Adam Mohammad joins Cal, competition heats up—especially with wild cards like Brian Bonner Jr. and Ansu Sanoe waiting for their shot.
On a new “The Montlake Report” podcast, Emerald City Spectrum reporter Aaron Coe breaks down what's at stake for Husky football, analyzing projected carries, injury uncertainties, and the role of each ball carrier for UW. He explores Fisch’s history of spreading opportunities, shares insider updates on Jordan Washington’s recovery, and weighs the potential impact of new transfers. One question drives the conversation: Will any running back emerge as a true difference-maker in Seattle this fall?
Sounders Down Western Conference Front-Runner San Jose in Heritage Cup Classic
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Qasim Ali breaks down a 3-2 barn-burner between the Seattle Sounders (7-1-3, 3rd in Western Conference) and San Jose Earthquakes (9-2-2, 2nd in Western Conference).
Osaze De Rosario netted an 89th-minute game-winner as the game swung back and forth after an early Sounders mistake led to a second-minute San Jose goal. Albert Rusnák scored off a penalty kick late in the first half to equalize before Jesús Ferreira went coast-to-coast in a spectacular individual effort to give Seattle the lead.
The goals come at good times for Ferreira and De Rosario, who have both been lacking on the scoring edge as Seattle finally met its expected-goal mark after two frustrating draws against Kansas City and San Diego.
The win also meant history for the Sounders, who swept San Diego in the regular season for the first time.
Kraken the Ice: Seattle Nipped By NHL Lottery Curse… Again
Once again getting the short side of the lottery stick, the Kraken didn't get a top-five pick as hoped coming off a disappointing finish to the 2025-26 season that ended without a playoff berth.
Emerald City Spectrum writer Nick Lee examines Seattle's latest misfortune landing on the wrong side of the lottery ticket, takes a first look at possible targets the Kraken may consider with the first of two first round selections, and breaks down the upcoming offseason NHL calendar and how it pertains to Seattle.
The Montlake Report: Zach Albright Goes From Dream to Dawg Committing to Huskies
Staying in state as one of the top recruits in Washington, rising tight end Zach Albright officially committed to the Huskies as part of their impressive 2027 recruiting class.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Aaron Coe chats with Albright to discuss his decision to join UW, his goals to become an impact player for Jedd Fisch's squad, how relationships mattered more than other factors in his recruiting process, and much more!
Sounders, Reign Look to Make Statements Ahead of World Cup Break
The Seattle Sounders (6-1-2, 4th in MLS Western Conference) and Seattle Reign (3-2-2, 7th in NWSL) have gotten off to strong starts, but are both coming off draws in which they could have come away with more on the offensive end.
The Reign’s Mia Fishel also spoke with The Spectrum on Wednesday about reigniting the team’s offense, which is coming off three straight scoreless showings as the striker recovers from an injury-riddled stretch.
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