Washington Premier FC
Overview
Washington Premier Football Club (WPFC) is a premier youth soccer club based in Puyallup, WA (Tacoma/Pierce County area), formed from the combined history of FC Royals and FC United. WPFC is one of two premier clubs within the Tacoma Pierce County Jr. Soccer Association (TPCJSA).
Notable distinction: WPFC was the first Washington soccer program to have senior adult teams (men and women) alongside a full-time year-round Youth Development Academy. The club owns and operates 11 fields in its “Center of Excellence.”
Nonprofit: 501(c)(3). EIN: 91-1401744.
Financials
| Metric | FY2025 (990 filing) |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3,657,674 |
| Total Expenses | $3,467,764 |
| Net Income | $189,910 |
| Total Assets | $5,223,537 |
| Total Liabilities | $878,062 |
| Net Assets | $4,345,475 |
Revenue Breakdown:
- Program services: $2,620,000 (71.6%)
- Contributions: $652,037 (17.8%)
- Fundraising: $265,195 (7.3%)
Key Personnel Compensation (FY2025):
- Seth Spidahl (Coach): $165,167
- Michael Donne (Coach): $109,587
- Kevin Skinner (Coaching Director): $101,057
- Cheryl Mercuri (Secretary): $98,850
- Richard Unsworth (Field Director): $92,546
Financial Assessment: Well-run operation with healthy margins. $4.3M net assets on $3.7M revenue is exceptional — the 11-field Center of Excellence likely represents significant facility value. Low liabilities ($878K) relative to assets ($5.2M). Diversified revenue with 17.8% from contributions is notable. (HIGH confidence)
Teams & Players
- 9 National Championship appearances
- 31 Regional Championship appearances
- 8 U.S. National Team players developed
- Hundreds of NCAA D1 & D2 scholarship placements
League Affiliations
- US Club Soccer — Primary competitive platform
- ECNL-RL — Regional League participation
- Not full ECNL member — a pathway gap
Facilities
Center of Excellence — Club-owned, 11-field complex in Puyallup. This is a major differentiator — most youth clubs lease facilities. Ownership provides:
- Revenue stability (rental income potential)
- Capital asset for valuation
- Operational control over scheduling/maintenance
- Richard Unsworth serves as Field Director ($92K compensation)
- Seth Spidahl — Coach ($165K)
- Kevin Skinner — Coaching Director ($101K)
- Cheryl Mercuri — Secretary ($99K)
- Michael Donne — Coach ($110K)
- Richard Unsworth — Field Director ($93K)
Competitive Position
WPFC occupies the Tacoma/Pierce County market, geographically separated from the Seattle-centric elite clubs (Crossfire, Eastside FC). This provides a natural territorial moat.
Strengths:
- 11-field owned facility — rare, valuable asset
- $4.3M net assets — strongest balance sheet of any WA club examined
- Tacoma market provides geographic diversification
- 9 national championship appearances — proven competitive program
- Low debt ($878K) relative to assets
Weaknesses:
- Not a full ECNL member — limits elite pathway access
- Tacoma market is smaller than Seattle
- Revenue ($3.7M) trails Seattle-area elite clubs
- 17.8% contribution revenue may indicate donor dependency
Industry Context
Washington Premier FC’s 11-field owned facility distinguishes it from the majority of youth clubs in the Pacific Northwest, where field leasing from municipalities is the norm. The $4.3M net assets on $3.7M revenue, low debt ($878K), and consistent operational profitability represent a financially healthy nonprofit in the Tacoma/Pierce County market. Geographic separation from Seattle’s dominant clubs (Crossfire, Eastside FC) provides a natural territorial buffer. The club’s absence from full ECNL membership — currently holding only ECNL-RL — is a pathway gap relative to Seattle-area peers; whether this limits talent attraction in the Tacoma market is an open question.
Open Questions
- What is the facility valuation of the Center of Excellence?
- What is the contribution revenue composition — are there major donors or is it broad-based?
- Is there a path to full ECNL membership?
- What is the governance structure — who controls decision-making?
- How does WPFC’s relationship with TPCJSA affect acquisition flexibility?