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Northwest Sports Update: UW men’s soccer wins chipper, FIFA ticket prices, M’s sign backup catcher and more

Northwest Sports Update: UW men’s soccer wins chipper, FIFA ticket prices, M’s sign backup catcher and more

Washington players celebrate after defeating North Carolina State to win the NCAA College Cup National Championship soccer final in Cary, N.C., Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Photo: Associated Press


UW Huskies News

The Huskies men are national soccer champions for the first time in program history.

Washington edged North Carolina State 3-2 in overtime last night to win their first-ever national championship. Harrison Bertos scored the game-winner just under two minutes into extra time.

UW also became the first team to win six road matches in the tournament after entering it unseeded.

It was their second appearance in the national championship in four years after losing 2-0 to Clemson in 2021.

FIFA World Cup News

FIFA has slashed the price of some World Cup tickets for teams’ most loyal fans following a global backlash.

Some fans will get $60 seats for the final, instead of being asked to pay over $4,000.

FIFA said today that the $60 tickets will be made available for every game at the tournament in North America, going to the national federations whose teams are playing. Those federations decide how to distribute them to loyal fans who have attended previous games at home and on the road.

FIFA says there have been 20 million ticket requests since the third phase of ticket sales began last Friday. The “random selection draw” phase, which allows fans to request tickets for specific matchups for the first time, runs through Jan. 13, 2026, with successful applicants set to be notified by email in February and charged automatically.

Kraken News

The Kraken are hoping to wrap up their homestand on a high note tonight.

They’re hosting the Colorado Avalanche in their final match before heading off on a four-game road trip.

The struggling Kraken have dropped eight of their last nine and now sit just three points ahead of last place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Avalanche own the best record in the NHL with just two regulation losses on the season.

Seattle will need to bring its A-game tonight if it wants to avoid a three-game skid. Coverage begins at 6:30 and puck drops at 7 on KPUG.

Mariners News

The Mariners have found Cal Raleigh’s backup.

The M’s announced today that they’ve signed catcher Andrew Knizner to a one-year contract. MLB.com reports the deal is worth $1 million.

Knizner has spent seven seasons in the big leagues, most recently with San Francisco. The 31-year-old hit .221 with seven walks in 88 plate appearances last year with the Giants.

His signing comes after the Mariners dealt top catching prospect Harry Ford to the Nationals and let last season’s backup Mitch Garver go to free agency.

HS Basketball News

Taking a look at high school basketball scores from last night…

The Lynden girls thumped Lakewood 79-23.

The Lynden boys fell to Lakewood 72-65.

The Lynden Christian boys beat Bellingham 76-55.

The Bellingham girls edged Oak Harbor 50-46 in overtime.

The Lummi Nation boys topped Friday Harbor 74-17.

The Ferndale boys beat Marysville-Pilchuck 74-54.

And the Blaine boys fell to Burlington-Edison 74-52.

 

Coming up tonight…

High school basketball is back on the radio when the Mount Baker girls host Sehome in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Northwest Conference.

Coverage begins at 7:00 and tipoff is at 7:15 on KGMI with Randy Farmer and Jason Upton on the call.

 

Elsewhere around the county…

The Sehome boys host Baker.

The Nooksack Valley boys are on the road against Mount Vernon.

The Nooksack girls host Mount Vernon.

The Lummi boys and girls each host Shoreline Christian.

And the Squalicum girls host Meridian.

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