Cameron Martin’s stoppage-time header kept Ballard FC perfect on the season as they move to 7-0 after a 3-2 win over PDX FC. With a successful two-win road trip, the number two team in the most recent USL2 power rankings are still flying high and sit comfortably atop the Northwest Division standings.
There were many parallels between the weekend’s two matches, against Lane United and PDX FC respectively. In both matches, Ballard FC went into the break with a 2-0 lead. And in both matches, the home team responded to make it 2-2 early in the second half. And lastly, in both matches, Ballard FC were able to break the deadlock and win with late goals.
Sunday’s match was marked by heavy rain throughout and a lot of rotation in Coach Farrell’s starting eleven. Four of the eleven starters had yet to start this season and six of Sunday’s eleven did not start on Friday night. Despite that, Ballard FC still started well.
The first twenty minutes consisted of decent chances for both sides but with the majority of the action in Ballard’s attacking third. Ballard FC would eventually break the deadlock in the 23rd minute as a Lesia Thetsane cross found the head of Joe Dale for 1-0. The goal was Dale’s first of the season and the first of his Ballard FC career.
Seven minutes later, Ballard FC would make it two. This time it was a Peter Kingston corner that found Zane Baumgardt’s head for number two. That goal is also Baumgardt’s first of the season and the first of his Ballard FC career.
Right before the half, goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale made a huge triple save to keep Ballard FC up two. Sunday’s match was the first appearance for Carnovale and he did well in his 45 minutes as he kept a first-half clean sheet.
Coming out of the break, there were four halftime substitutions for Ballard FC. Conrad Lee came in as goalkeeper for his first appearance, and the three subs joining him were Peter Yaro, Stas Korzeniowski, and Cameron Yriondo.
Five minutes into the second half, PDX FC would pull a goal back as Geraldo Duran Rios roped one into the far corner. And the home side would keep their foot on the gas as they would get the equalizer just nine minutes after that. This time it was Mouhameth Thiam who finished off a cross at the back post in the 59th minute.
After PDX’s equalizer, Ballard FC started to regain control of the match and almost responded immediately. In the 63rd minute, Kojo Dadzie hit a looping header over the goalkeeper that looked to cross the line before being cleared away by a PDX defender. The referee ignored the protests and the match stayed all square.
In the 65th minute, Cameron Martin and Khai Brisco entered the match for Ballard FC. As he came in, Martin took the captain’s armband from Thetsane, priming himself for a big moment later in the match.
In the 67th minute, Ballard FC would cause more chaos at the goal mouth as Korzeniowski’s header was cleared off the line and then Baumgardt’s volley forced a diving save from PDX goalkeeper Milo Risenhoover.
About 15 minutes later, PDX FC were on the front foot. A shot from distance in the 83rd minute forced Lee to dive and parry to his right in order to keep the match level.
Coach Farrell would make his seventh and final substitution as Taketo Onodera came into midfield in the 85th minute. Onodera would make an instant impact only minutes later.
In the 6th minute of stoppage time, Onodera led the counter and passed to the overlapping Kingston on the left wing. Kingston then sent a cross to the back post, finding the head of Martin. Martin’s looping header back across the goal would find the corner and put Ballard in front!
It was almost the last touch of the match, as only a minute later the referee would blow for full-time and Ballard FC escaped with a 3-2 victory.
For the fans who traveled to Portland and the others watching on the YouTube live stream, we thank you for your support as always. We cannot wait to be back with you all at Interbay this Friday, June 23rd as we take on Oly Town FC. All of our home matches this season have sold out, so get your tickets now! Gates will open at 5:30 PM with kickoff at 7:00. As always, you can watch the match live at the Reuben’s Brews Taproom or stream at goballardfc.com.
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin
