Jimmy McAlister was the 1977 NASL Rookie of the Year and earned six caps with the U.S. national team. He was recently inducted into the Washington State Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame.

He grew up in Seattle where he attended John F. Kennedy High School. When he graduated in 1976, the Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League immediately signed him to play left back.

In 1977, Jimmy became an integral part of a strong Sounders team which went to the NASL championship only to lose to the Pele-led New York Cosmos. McAlister’s defensive abilities led to Pele trading his jersey with McAlister at the end of the game. His outstanding season led to McAlister receiving NASL Rookie of the Year. McAlister spent one more season with Seattle before being traded to Toronto Blizzard. After one year in Toronto, he moved again, this time to the San Jose Earthquakes. While in San Jose, he played in both the NASL and the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) as the Earthquakes jumped between the two leagues. When the Tacoma Stars was established as an MISL franchise in 1983, McAlister moved back home. He remained with the Stars through the 1985-1986 season.

Jimmy earned six caps with the U.S. national team between 1977 and 1979. His success with the Sounders brought him to the attention of the national team. He earned his first cap in a September 18, 1977 loss to Guatemala and his last in February, 1979.

Since 1988, Jimmy has made a profound impact on a multitude of teams including the Tacoma Stars of the NASL and the Hiberian Saints, which he coached to a United States Adult Soccer Association National Championship title. In 2000, McAlister became the head coach of the Decatur High School boys soccer team,   propelling the team to back-to-back 4A Boys State Soccer Championships. 

In addition to his success at the high school level, Jimmy shared his knowledge and winning ways with Federal Way United, securing State Championships at the Under 12, 13, and 14 age groups. He now plays an integral role in the development of WPFC, with whom he won the Under-14 State Championship. Jimmy’s coaching abilities, teachings, and talents continue to be well sought after and have proven to be the basis for great players both on and off the field.

Congratulations to WPFC coach and Sounders legend, Jimmy McAlister, who received the Golden Scarf prior to the Sounders FC vs. Earthquakes match.