Ballard FC
Nickname(s)The Bridges
FoundedDecember 1, 2021
StadiumMemorial Stadium
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Capacity10,000
OwnersLamar Neagle
Chris Kaimmer
Sam Zisette
Head coachJames Riley
LeagueUSL League Two
20231st, Northwest Division
Playoffs: USL League Two Champions
WebsiteClub website

Ballard FC is an American soccer club based in Seattle, Washington, competing in the Northwest Division of USL League Two. They began play in the 2022 season and won their first league championship in 2023. The team's home venue for the 2024 season is Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center.

History

The club was founded in 2021 and is owned by former Seattle Sounders FC player Lamar Neagle, Chris Kaimmer, and Sam Zisette. It is based in the Ballard neighborhood and would play home matches at the Interbay Soccer Field.[1][2] The club's largest supporters' group is The Bridge Keepers.[3]

Ballard FC made their league debut on May 21, 2022, defeating Lane United FC 6–1 in front of 1,200 spectators.[3] The team finished second in the USL2 Northwest Division behind Oregon's Capital FC and qualified for the league playoffs. They advanced to the Western Conference Final in Des Moines, Iowa, where Ballard FC lost 2–1 to the eventual league champions Ventura County Fusion.[4][5] Captain and defender Lesia Thetsane was a finalist for the USL2 Player of the Year Award and was one of 14 players to return for the club's second season in 2023.[6]

Head coach Jason Farrell left the club in July 2023 after they had clinched a playoff berth and was replaced by Ethan O'Neill on an interim basis.[7] Ballard FC secured their first Northwest Division title and hosted several playoff matches at Interbay Stadium.[8] The club advanced to the USL League Two Championship, which they would host at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, against Lionsbridge FC on August 5, 2023. Ballard FC won their first championship 2–1 with a goal in stoppage time scored by Cameron Martin in front of a sellout crowd of 3,416.[9][10] The club are the second from Washington to win the league's championship, after Kitsap Pumas in 2011, and earned qualification to the 2024 U.S. Open Cup.[11]

Stadium

During their first two seasons, Ballard FC played their home matches at Interbay Soccer Field, a 1,500-seat stadium in the Interbay neighborhood south of Ballard. The stadium was built in 1997 and is also used by the Seattle Pacific Falcons collegiate soccer teams.[1] The team plans to temporarily move to Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center in 2024 while renovations at Interbay Soccer Field are made to comply with accessibility requirements.[12]

Players and staff

Technical staff

Position Name
Head coach United States James Riley
Assistant coach The Gambia Amadou Sanyang
Assistant coach United States David "Bingy" Lara
Goalkeeper Coach United States Ben Willis

Roster

Position Name Number
Goalkeeper United States Cole Weaver 0
Goalkeeper United States Lars Helleren 1
Defender United States Evan Aune 2
Midfielder Lesotho Mako Makoanyane 3
Defender United States Leo Burney 4
Defender United States Angelo Calfo 5
Defender Lesotho Lesia Thetsane 6
Midfielder United States Johnny Ramirez 7
Midfielder Japan Taketo Onodera 8
Forward United States Alex Mejia 9
Midfielder United States Joey Van Horn 10
Midfielder United States Cale Spence 11
Midfielder United States Charlie Gaffney 12
Forward United States Tyler Bjork 13
Midfielder United States Francisco Magaña 14
Defender United States Christian Engmann 15
Midfielder United States Bailey Letherman 16
Midfielder United States Joe Dale 17
Defender United States Lucas King 18
Midfielder United States Cameron Martin 19
Defender United States Zane Baumgardt 20
Midfielder United States Peter Kingston 21
Forward United States Declan McGlynn 22
Forward United States Kevin Galiano 23
Defender United States Theo Steinmetz 24
Defender United States Nik Reierson 25
Midfielder United States James Morris 27
Goalkeeper United States Akili Kasim 28
Forward United States Demitrius Kigeya 29
Goalkeeper United States Johan Garibay 30

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs Open Cup
2022 4 USL League Two 2nd, Northwest Conference Finals Did not enter
2023 4 USL League Two 1st, Northwest Champions Did not qualify

Honors

League

  • USL League Two Playoffs
  • USL League Two Western Conference
    • Champions (1): 2023
  • USL League Two Northwest Division
    • Champions (1): 2023

Player

Year Player Country Pos Honor
2022 Ian Mejia  USA FW All-Western Conference Team
Lesia Thetsane  LES DF
2023 Lesia Thetsane  LES DF Team of the Year
Stas Korzeniowski  USA FW Northwest Division Player of the Year

References

  1. 1 2 Evans, Jayda (December 1, 2021). "Seattle is getting a minor-league soccer team. Here's how Ballard FC went from vision to reality". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  2. ↑ "About – Ballard FC". Ballard FC. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Evans, Jayda (May 21, 2022). "Ballard FC kicks off its existence with passionate fan base already installed and an easy win". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  4. ↑ Van Belle, Greg (September 21, 2022). "Ballard FC: An Inaugural Season to Remember". Sounder At Heart. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  5. ↑ Evans, Jayda (July 28, 2022). "Ballard FC look to continue 'surreal' run in USL2 playoffs". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  6. ↑ Evans, Jayda (May 20, 2023). "Ballard FC looking to build on success of first season in Year 2: 'We set the bar really high'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Head Coach Jason Farrell Taking Next Step in Career, Leaving Ballard FC". Ballard FC. July 3, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  8. ↑ Walker, Meghan (July 18, 2023). "Ballard FC to host U.S. League Two playoffs in Interbay Stadium this weekend". MyBallard. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  9. ↑ Kennedy, Paul (August 5, 2023). "Ballrad FC wins USL League Two title". Soccer America. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Lionsbridge FC falls in national championship game on stoppage-time goal near Seattle". The Virginian-Pilot. August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ Evans, Jayda (August 5, 2023). "Ballard FC prevails in a thrilling USL League Two final". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  12. ↑ Van Belle, Greg (October 10, 2023). "Ballard FC will play 2024 season at Memorial Stadium". Sounder At Heart. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
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