Ballard FC Advances to Western Conference Final with 2–1 win Over Snohomish United

With their season on the line and a place in the USL League Two Western Conference Final at stake, Ballard FC delivered a gutsy 2–1 victory over Snohomish United on Sunday afternoon at Interbay Stadium.

In front of a vocal home crowd and under slowly clearing skies, Ballard battled through a physical, tension-filled playoff matchup to earn its biggest win of the season so far and continue a deep postseason run.

Having tied and lost in two regular-season meetings with Snohomish, Ballard entered the match knowing it would take focus, fire, and resilience to flip the narrative. From the opening whistle, the playoff intensity was undeniable.

Ballard captain Christian Engmann was booked just four minutes in for a midfield challenge. Not long after, Snohomish’s Edgar Leon received a yellow of his own for a second reckless tackle on Richie Aman. The early fouls set the tone for what would be a physical 90 minutes.

Ballard opened the scoring in the 8th minute. Joe Dale whipped a ball into the six-yard box from the right wing, and after a deflection, Sean Sent crashed in and calmly passed it home to give Ballard a vital early lead.

The home side nearly doubled their advantage ten minutes later when Beto Apolinar ripped a shot from the top of the 18 that forced a sharp save. But Snohomish responded quickly. In the 20th minute, former Ballard FC midfielder Declan McGlynn created space on the edge of the box and curled a left-footed strike into the top-left corner, just past a diving Stockton Short.

The 1–1 scoreline held through halftime, but not without more drama. AB picked up a yellow in the 29th minute for a foul just outside the box. Two minutes later, Snohomish’s Carter Gay was booked following a collision with Ballard’s keeper on a corner kick. Jack Civitts added another yellow to Snohomish’s growing tally in the 40th after a late challenge on Khai Brisco.

The second half saw Ballard grow into the game with greater urgency. In the 64th minute, Joe Dale once again delivered from the right wing, this time sending in a perfect cross to Rafi Otero, who met it in stride and smashed home a volley to restore Ballard’s lead, 2–1.

Ballard leaned on its depth to preserve the result. Substitutions in the 68th and 76th minutes brought in fresh legs. First, Andre Philibbosian and Omar Grey replaced Beto Apolinar and Khai Brisco, then the trio of Omar Yehya, Nii Engmann, and Zach Ramsey entered in place of Joe Dale, Charlie Kosakoff, and Richie Aman. The final stretch saw a flurry of yellow cards as Kosakoff, Yehya, Engmann, Ramsey, and even Apolinar (from the bench) were booked while Ballard fought to protect the lead. 

Despite five minutes of added time and late pressure from Snohomish, Ballard held firm. Late substitutions brought on Cameron Cruz and Davis Mungomba to help close out the final minutes. When the final whistle blew, Interbay erupted in celebration.

From a regular season that saw mixed results against Snohomish to a postseason rematch with everything on the line, Ballard responded with resolve. The team now moves on to the Western Conference Final, which will be hosted back at Interbay Stadium this Friday, July 25th.

Christian Engmann was awarded Player of the Match for his commanding performance at center back. The Ballard captain led by example throughout the afternoon, anchoring the backline with poise, physicality, and calm under pressure. He dominated in the air, cleared dangerous balls with confidence, and kept the defense organized during Snohomish’s most dangerous stretches.

MATCH DETAILS 

FULLTIME: Ballard FC 2 – 1 Snohomish United

Goals: Sent (8’), Otero (64’) 

Assists: Dale (8’,64′)

Starting XI: Short, Ketcham, Engmann, Zemenfes, Brisco, Apolinar, Sent, Otero, Aman, Dale, Kosakoff 

Substitutes: Grey, Philibbosian, Yehya, N. Engmann, Ramsey, Cruz, Mungomba, Venkat, Lanphier

Player of the Match: Christian Engmann

WHAT’S NEXT? 

Ballard FC return to action this Friday at Interbay Stadium in the Western Conference Final, as they take on Ventura County Fusion at 7:30pm. Join us for this chance to lift a trophy at our home stadium!

Get tickets to Friday’s final!

Written by Emily Battistoni

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