In last night’s encounter in Bellevue, Ballard FC secured important 2-1 victory. Fueled by a great crowd of traveling Ballard fans, the team scored early goals in both halves that would ultimately be the difference.
This match was full of headlines. The Midlakes side is coached by former USWNT player Justi Baumgardt, and Ballard was without head coach James Riley for Friday’s match. Baumgardt’s nephew, Zane Baumgardt had played for Ballard FC in the club’s first two seasons alongside Midlakes captain Bailey Letherman. And then of courss there is the brotherly battle, as Christian and Nii Engmann went at each other all night.
WHAT HAPPENED?
From the opening whistle, Ballard FC came flying out of the gates, with precise passing and quick movements testing Midlakes’ defense from the get go. An early breakthrough came in the 6th minute when Richie Aman passed inside to Austin Brummett, who cleverly cut the ball back to Aman in space behind the Midlakes defense. Aman then rolled the ball across the box to Charlie Gaffney, who calmly slotted the ball into the net, giving Ballard an early lead.
This goal set the tone for Ballard’s dangerous attack, with Aman, Brummett, and Gaffney combining well to create more scoring opportunities in the first half. Ballard’s defensive organization was equally impressive, as they prevented Midlakes from building any momentum in their hopes to equalize.
As the first half progressed, Ballard FC continued to control the tempo of the game and chose our moments to attack.
In the 12th minute, we came close to scoring again as Gaffney almost connected with a repeat of the opening goal, but the Midlakes defense blocked the attempt in the nick of time. Shortly after, Christian Engmann’s header from Luke Hammond’s cross narrowly missed the target. Hammond himself then fired a powerful shot from outside the box, testing the Midlakes goalkeeper.
Peter Kingston’s precise long balls coupled with Aman and Gaffney’s speed down the line caused constant problems for Midlakes’ defense. In the 23rd minute, Aman broke through on goal from one of Kingston’s long passes, but his shot was deflected and saved off the post. In the 32nd minute, Gaffney and Brummett combined again, but Brummett’s shot went narrowly wide of the near post.
Ballard’s attack continued relentlessly looking for a second goal, but it didn’t come in the first half. The two teams went into the break at 1-0.
The second half saw Ballard continue on the front foot, with Midlakes showing signs of frustration receiving three yellows throughout.
In the 48th minute, Ballard FC extended our lead. Peter Kingston’s long ball found Aman, who cut inside onto his right foot and placed a precise shot into the top corner, leaving the Midlakes goalkeeper with no chance. Aman’s goal looked like it would put the match to an end as Ballard FC maintained control of the chances.
But then, against the run of play, Midlakes was awarded a penalty in the 79th minute after a foul was called on Khai Brisco for a hold. Midlakes captain and former Ballard FC midfielder, Bailey Letherman, converted the penalty to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Letherman’s penalty set up a tense final 15 minutes.
Christian Engmann received a yellow after a collision in the 82nd minute, resulting in a dangerous free kick opportunity on the edge of the box. However, Ballard FC remained resolute in defense, and continued to deny Midlakes a chances at goal.
As the final whistle blew, Ballard FC celebrated a hugely important 2-1 victory on the road in front of their traveling support.
FULLTIME: Ballard FC 2 – 1 Midlakes United
HOW WE LINED UP
STARTING XI: BUCK, HAMMOND, ENGMANN, BURNEY, BRISCO, SENT, J. ALVAREZ, KINGSTON, AMAN, BRUMMETT, GAFFNEY
SUBS: YRIONDO, SPATZ, KETCHAM, HOLMES, OTERO, CRUZ
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Richie Aman was awarded Player of the Match for his attacking display, resulting in an assist and the match-winning goal!
WHAT’S NEXT?
We now look ahead to Sunday, June 30th, for our Pride and Impact Night where Ballard FC will take on Capital FC Atletico at Memorial Stadium, with kickoff at 6:00 PM.
Tickets for that match are available here!
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin 
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin 
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin 
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin 
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin 
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin 
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin 
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin 
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin 
Photos courtesy of Blake Dahlin
POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: In Riley’s absence, assistant coach Mutanda Kwesele got the win and the interview on Friday night.
