TOMORROW: Local Elected Leaders Take on Australian Parliamentarians in World Cup Week Soccer Match

Graphic for elected leader soccer match.

June 17, 2026

Before Team USA takes on Australia in Seattle this Friday, elected leaders from Washington state and the Puget Sound will take the field for an international soccer friendly against a visiting delegation of Australian parliamentarians.

Coordinated by King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda and Jessica Pierce, owner of West Seattle Junction FC and Rhodies FC, who is making sustained efforts to bring soccer to the youth of West Seattle through free skills workshops and tickets to matches and Cameron Caldwell, District Director for Congressman Rick Larsen, co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, who has helped bring this match from idea to fruition while serving the constituents of Washington’s 2nd Congressional District.

Special thanks to our co-sponsor WCPride who is teaming up with King County Local Services to host a Gather for Goals with us world soccer match watch party, shutting the street down for giant screens, vendors, food, and more in downtown White Center!

WHAT: Washington State Elected Officials vs. Australian Parliamentary Delegation Friendly Match

WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, June 18. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. with kickoff at 2:35 p.m. Press availability of participants starting at 2:00pm and opening remarks starting at 2:20pm.

Speaking Program Run of Show:

James Woollard, PA Announcer
Jessica Pierce gives welcome remarks
Teresa Mosqueda, emcee
Mayor Katie Wilson speaks
State Senator Emily Alvarado
Jerome Laxale, MP for the New South Wales
Simon Kennedy, Federal Member for Cook

WHERE: Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, 2600 SW Thistle St, Seattle, WA 98126

The match is supported by West Seattle Junction FC and Rhodies FC, members of the United Soccer League's League Two and W League. Coaches and players from both clubs will participate alongside elected officials from across Washington.

WA Elected roster so far, and growing:

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson
Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans
Representative Julio Cortes (38th Legislative District)
Representative Osman Salahuddin (48th Legislative District)
Senator Marcus Riccelli (3rd Legislative District)
Senator Emily Alvarado (34th Legislative District)
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (King County Council, District 8)
Representative Chipalo Street (37th Legislative District and former MLS referee)
Joe Mizrahi, Seattle School Board (District 4)
Gina Topp, Seattle School Board President (District 6)
Councilmember Jorge Barón (King County Council, District 4)
Councilmember Rob Saka (Seattle City Council, District 1)
Councilmember Vivek Prakriya (Redmond City Council)
Representatives from the offices of U.S. Representatives Adam Smith and Rick Larsen

Aussie Delegation:

Jerome Laxale MP- Member for Bennelong
Simon Kennedy MP - Member for Cook
Tom Venning MP - Member for Grey
Ben Leeson - Advisor to the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP>
Bonnie Louise
Matt Delves
Paul Sakkal
Heather Garriock
Josip Skoko
Robbie Kruse
Taj Kennedy
Andy Harper
James Clennell
Daniel Garb
Josh Martin
Team management: Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck & The Hon. Courtney Houssos, MLC, NSW Minister for Finance, Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, and Minister for Natural Resources

As Seattle welcomes visitors from around the world for the FIFA World Cup, this friendly match brings together public leaders from both sides of the Pacific in celebration of sport, community, and international partnership.

The event is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to attend.