Ballard FC
Nickname(s) | The Bridges | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Founded | December 1, 2021 | |||
Stadium | Memorial Stadium Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |||
Capacity | 10,000 | |||
Owners | Lamar Neagle Chris Kaimmer Sam Zisette | |||
Head coach | James Riley | |||
League | USL League Two | |||
2023 | 1st, Northwest Division Playoffs: USL League Two Champions | |||
Website | Club website | |||
| ||||
Ballard FC is an American
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
Head coach
On March 20, 2024, Ballard FC played their first
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.[13]
Club identity
The club crest, designed by a Ballard-based agency, was released alongside the founding announcement in December 2022.[14][15] The crest depicts the Ballard Bridge over a sunset.
As a primary, Ballard FC wears cream colored jerseys with red accents, and collaborates with local artists for third jerseys each year.
The inaugural 2022–2023 home jersey included a sublimated wave pattern from the Seattle flag.[16]
2022 Home
|
2023– Home
|
2022–23 Away
|
2024– Away
|
2022 Third
|
2024– Third
|
Players and staff
Technical staff
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | James Riley |
First assistant coach | Mutanda Kwesele |
Assistant coach | Josh Chasan |
Head of goalkeeping | Ben Dragavon |
Assistant GK coach | Sean Rash |
Head of strength & conditioning | Bo Pearson |
Roster
Position | Name | Number |
---|---|---|
Goalkeeper | Pierluca Carnovale | 0 |
Defender | Christian Engmann | 2 |
Midfielder | Chris Meyers | 3 |
Defender | Leo Burney | 4 |
Forward | Austin Brummett | 5 |
Midfielder | Taketo Onodera | 6 |
Forward | Charlie Gaffney | 7 |
Midfielder | Joe Dale | 8 |
Forward | Alex Mejia | 9 |
Midfielder | Peter Kingston | 10 |
Forward | Richie Aman | 11 |
Defender | Lesia Thetsane | 12 |
Goalkeeper | Conrad Lee | 13 |
Goalkeeper | Adam Braman | 13 |
Midfielder | Cameron Yriondo | 14 |
Midfielder | Ray Mendez | 15 |
Forward | Elliot Spatz | 17 |
Midfielder | Jibril Rodet | 18 |
Midfielder | Rhys Gourdie | 19 |
Defender | Isaac Ketcham | 20 |
Defender | Demian Alvarez | 21 |
Defender | Bryson Hankins | 22 |
Midfielder | Sean Sent | 23 |
Defender | Khai Brisco | 24 |
Forward | Charlie Holmes | 25 |
Midfielder | Rafi Otero | 26 |
Midfielder | Cameron Cruz | 27 |
Forward | Kojo Dadzie | 28 |
Forward | Daniel Burko | 29 |
Goalkeeper | Charlie Lanphier | 30 |
Defender | Luke Hammond | 33 |
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
- Champions (1): 2023
- 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
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "About – Ballard FC". Ballard FC. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Van Belle, Greg (September 21, 2022). "Ballard FC: An Inaugural Season to Remember". Sounder At Heart. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ Evans, Jayda (July 28, 2022). "Ballard FC look to continue 'surreal' run in USL2 playoffs". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Head Coach Jason Farrell Taking Next Step in Career, Leaving Ballard FC". Ballard FC. July 3, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Walker, Meghan (July 18, 2023). "Ballard FC to host U.S. League Two playoffs in Interbay Stadium this weekend". MyBallard. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Kennedy, Paul (August 5, 2023). "Ballrad FC wins USL League Two title". Soccer America. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Lionsbridge FC falls in national championship game on stoppage-time goal near Seattle". The Virginian-Pilot. August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Evans, Jayda (August 5, 2023). "Ballard FC prevails in a thrilling USL League Two final". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Evans, Jayda (March 20, 2024). "Ballard FC falls to Spokane Velocity in U.S. Open Cup after late controversy". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ Van Belle, Greg (October 10, 2023). "Ballard FC will play 2024 season at Memorial Stadium". Sounder At Heart. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "BALLARD FC LAUNCHES INTO USL LEAGUE TWO". Ballard FC. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ "Ballard FC". Flying Eye Design - A Seattle Graphic Designer -. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ "Ballard FC Inaugural Home Jersey Revealed, Available for Pre-Sale". Ballard FC. Retrieved 2024-04-14.