OLYMPIA, WA – The Artesians announced in front of a standing room only arena soccer crowd Saturday night that former United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Seattle Sounder Jason Dunn has signed to be the new USL Men’s Head Coach for summer 2024. Oly Town competes inside path to professional franchise USL League Two (USL2) that has 124 teams across the United States. Teams are comprised of top level college and pro players getting their looks for the pro leagues.
Oly Town clinched the USL National Playoff in 2023 with major upset wins over Ballard FC who eventually won the USL Title and the Artesians went undefeated (3-0-1) in Oregon against 4 clubs including perennial powerhouse Capital FC (formerly Portland Timbers) and Lane United out of Eugene.
The Artesians were formed in Olympia in 2014 as a men’s arena soccer team but blossomed into women’s and men’s USL soccer franchises playing at South Sound Stadium (North Thurston High School) as well as men’s and women’s arena soccer at Evergreen State College.
“I think the level that we have here at Evergreen, Saint Martin’s there’s enough to field a team” said new skipper Jason Dunn about local soccer players playing in USL League Two. “I still think we need to get out and find more core quality players but truly believe a good amount will come from this local community.”
Jason Dunn is an Olympia, WA native having graduated from North Thurston High School which included winning a 3A State Title in 1990 where he set the goal scoring record (34 goals). He would go on to compete at Seattle Pacific University and win a college National Championship and completing scoring records with single season goals (28), career (62), game winning goals (8) and most assists average per game.
“I think Dunn knows what it’s like to connect with players on the field to elevate their game and draw more out of them” said Oly Town’s principal owner Ryan Perkins. ”It’s one thing to have played the game at a high level but another to be able to communicate it effectively to the next generation. Jason has that ability and we’re excited for players to have access to him here with USL soccer in Olympia.”
“There’s a bunch of players from colleges in Seattle and I’ve coached teams there in Seattle and those players are off playing higher levels and have desires to win championships” said Dunn regarding local division colleges.
Dunn’s professional career started at the Seattle Sounders where he played 3 seasons and won rookie of the year in 1994 scoring 12 goals. His accolades would get him an invite to train and play with the United States Men’s team in 1994 and even appeared in 3 matches.
From there Dunn would make a huge splash in the professional arena leagues around the United States from 1996 to 2002. Namely the Wichita Wings where he set scoring records (265 goals in 6 seasons) and then went to close out his playing career with the Seattle SeaDogs who played in the Key Arena. Dunn would go on to score 12 goals across 26 games for Seattle.
“I have a nephew out of Phoenix that just won a USL Championship with the Phoenix Rising and would love to get him here at Oly too” said Dunn about pro player impact on the 2024 squad.
“I was blown away with the vision Jason had during interviews” said Part Owner and Director of Soccer Jason Smith. “The network of players he can bring in is amazing. The part that really impressed me was his commitment to working and growing the home grown players.”
Oly Town has had multiple local players from Olympia High School (Sawyer Price, Keeper), Capital High School (Alec Zimmerman, Midfield), Shelton High School (Manny Nicasio, Midfield) and North Thurston (Landon Sexton, Defender) that have graced USL path to pro competition.
“For me the core is important for me to be established from here in Thurston County as they deserve the path” said Dunn about the future of local soccer and this pipeline to becoming pro player.
USL 2024 will release its schedule over the next month as Oly Town matches are held at South Sound Stadium in Lacey, Washington.
Open tryouts are January 13, 2024 at Ingersoll Stadium in Olympia, Washington where Coach Jason Dunn and USL technical advisors Miguel Gonzalez (Former Pro Player), John Purtteman (Former Pro Player) and more will be evaluating the next possible USL players for the League Two franchise.
We have to get these local players the opportunity and I had the same goals and aspirations to play pro soccer in Europe and beyond. And for me it was also a men’s league that I scored three goals in one game that got Al Hinton (Seattle Sounders Manager) to sign me. Same opportunity exists here. I want that opportunity for our local guys here at Oly Town. Kasey had it in youth, but myself, James (Dunn), Tom (Dutra) all had to start somewhere and we need to provide the opportunity more now here locally“
Jason Dunn | USMNT, Seattle Sounders
Information on trying out can be found at olytownfc.com or on social media @olytownfc on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (X).
For instant news, photos and more subscribe below.