After her professional soccer stint in Australia in the winter season, Mariah Lee is set to return home to play summer ball with FC Olympia to further reinforce their squad in the upcoming 2024 USL W League – an official “HERE WE GO” after hints dropped by FC Olympia on social media.
This surprise re-signing of the hometown glory was confirmed as Lee was unveiled as the poster girl of FC Olympia’s USL kit launch announced on their website on May 10th, Friday, just a day after her former club, Adelaide United FC in Australia, confirmed her departure.
“There’s something special about being in your home state, playing in front of family and friends. I’m excited to be back, to interact with the fans, and to hopefully put on a good show,” said Lee on her return for a second year with the Artesians.
The Covington, Washington-born forward/winger is crucial to last season's maiden USL W campaign by the Artesians as she led the then Oly Town FC in attack with seven goals and four assists en route to an undefeated #1 seed in the Northwest Division and a national tournament appearance.
Lee’s performances for the Artesians last season guaranteed her place as the Northwest MVP of the 2023 USL W League and a part of the USL W League all-national team selection.
“Mariah’s return to FC Olympia especially after the USL W League said she wasn’t coming back is reflective of her commitment to local soccer and the ‘summer ball’ environment provided at FC Olympia,” said FC Olympia principal owner Ryan Perkins.
Lee went to play college soccer at Stanford University where not only she acquired Pac-12 Athletic and Academic honors but also won an NCAA DI National Championship in 2017. She transfered to Wake Forest to close out her collegiate career before diving straight to the pro ranks for spells in different international leagues such as FF Lugano in Switzerland, OL Reign in the NWSL, Celtic FC Women in Scotland, and Sporting de Huelva in Spain.
Her last pro soccer stint was in Adelaide United FC in the topflight A-League Women in Australia, where she was signed last October 2023 and had a modest showing of 2 goals in 14 appearances for the club.
“Having her back in the squad this year not only brings a quality player, but a lot of experience playing at a high level. She is a leader on and off the field and will help everyone around her become better players and help this team win a lot of games,” said Artesians USL W head coach Ben Willis on Lee’s return.
FC Olympia’s defense of the Northwest Division title will start in this USL W League season’s opening fixture at home at the South Sound Stadium against newcomers Tacoma Galaxy on May 18th at the expected 7 p.m. kickoff. The full schedule for the whole USL season is listed here.
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