Where Are They Now: Former Scot Farrell Spent Four Season in the MLS

While the Shorecrest boys soccer program has consistently posted winning marks and made deep runs in the state playoffs, only one former Scot has reached the professional ranks. That Scot, is Jason Farrell.

Farrell, now 40, grew up in Shoreline, and had a tough decision to make when it was time to start high school.

"My freshman year was the last year that Shoreline High existed, and I had some pressure to go there as both of my older brothers were Spartans," said Farrell. "However, I made the decision to go to Shorecrest, as I didn't want to change schools again after my freshman year. Looking back on it, I think it was a good decision. I have many fond memories and keep in touch with a handful of friends from those days."

Unfortunately for Farrell, none of those memories involved a state title, as Shorecrest would fall to Kasey Keller's North Thurston in the state playoffs in 1988, and lose in a state quarterfinal game shootout in 1990. But, soccer wasn't Farrell's only sport.

"During the summer prior to my senior year, I was persuaded by some friends and our head football coach (Stan Taloff) to forego my fall club soccer season and come out for the football team. I went for it and it was one of the best decision I ever made!" said Farrell. "While our team only went 3-6, it was perhaps one of the best (most fun) seasons I have ever experienced in any sport. I played quarterback, free safety, punter, kicker, and also returned some kicks as well. While people have a hard time believing this, I actually had way more scholarship offers for football than I did for soccer. Go figure!"

Even with the scholarship offers in football, Farrell pursued soccer, spending a year at Skagit Valley College, and a year at Washington, before ending up under the tutelage of Cliff McCrath at Seattle Pacific University. Farrell would set the current SPU record for assists in a two season span, before graduating in 1992.

It would be another two years before Farrell made his first foray into the pro soccer ranks, joining the American Professional Soccer League's Seattle Sounders in their inaugural season. While the Sounders would lose in the APSL semifinals their first year, they would proceed to take home the newly-minted A-League crown the next two seasons. Farrell would pick up a third championship during a three year stint with the indoor Kansas CIty Attack. In March of 1997, Farrell would reach the pinnacle of American professional soccer, being taken in the second round of the MLS Supplemental Draft by the Columbus Crew. Farrell would appear in 98 games over four seasons with Columbus, but would come up just short of a title, as the Crew would fall in the MLS Cup semifinals in 1997, 1998, and 1999. After parting from the Crew in 2000, Farrell would spend a year with the indoor Wichita Wings, before returning to Seattle to bookend his career with another four year stint.

"I think the thing that stands out most about my professional career was the people that I played with and against. I met some fantastic people over the course of my 11 year career. For better or worse, my professional years came at a transitional time here in the US," said Farrell. "When I first started playing, there was no MLS, so players who wanted to make a living at it had to either go to Europe, or play outdoor soccer in the summer, and indoor soccer in the winter. It was a lot of fun, but it took a lot out of you. Playing with and against the likes of Brian McBride, Thomas Dooley, Brad Friedel, Marcus Hahnemann, Cobi Jones, Carlos Valderrama, Tab Ramos, John Harkes, etc. was something that I was thankful to have done."

With his playing days now behind him, Farrell currently serves as the technical director for Seattle United.

"I get to work with players from all over the city, including many from the Shoreline area and many that go to or will go to Shorecrest. In a way, my job has brought me full circle and now I get to help provide opportunities to those in the area that I grew up in. I don't take that responsibility lightly as I can clearly remember the impact coaches have on young players."