Ballard FC showcased their amazing talent with an emphatic 8-1 victory over Capital FC Atletico. After conceding an early goal, Ballard quickly equalized and took control of the game. They relentlessly attacked, scoring four goals in the first half and another four in the second. This result equals Ballard FC’s biggest ever win in league play, which was another 8-1 win last summer against PDX FC.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The match started in dramatic fashion as CFC Atletico forward Fumiya Shiraishi cut inside and unleashed a shot that resulted in a handball right outside the box. Seizing the opportunity, Shiraishi took the free kick and, aided by a deflection, sent the ball into the back of the net within just 2 minutes, putting CFC ahead early.
Despite the early setback, Ballard FC responded aggressively, pushing forward looking to equalize quickly. In the 7th minute, Khai Brisco sent a long throw-in into the box which was initially cleared, but quickly put back into the box by Sean Sent. Richie Aman skillfully brought down the chipped pass and placed it neatly past the CFC keeper, leveling the score at 1-1.
The tempo of the game remained high, with Ballard FC relentlessly pressing forward. In the 11th minute, Aman won a foul on the edge of the box. Cameron Cruz took the resulting free kick, which was cleared but collected by Otero, who recycled the ball to Engmann. Engmann linked up with his center back partner, passing down the line to Burney, whose cross to the near post was volleyed home by Daniel Burko, giving Ballard FC a 2-1 lead.
Ballard continued their attacking onslaught, hitting the crossbar in the 16th minute and forcing a great save on the follow-up. Their relentless pressure paid off again in the 19th minute when Cameron Cruz’s cross was mishandled by the CFC keeper, allowing Burko to pass the loose ball into the open net, extending Ballard’s lead to 3-1.
Capital FC Atletico struggled to find their rhythm and rarely threatened Ballard’s goal. In the 27th minute, frustration boiled over as CFC’s Andrew Erickson received a yellow card for bringing down Aman in transition.
The first half continued to showcase Ballard’s dominance. In the 33rd minute, Otero’s cross was volleyed narrowly wide by Burko. Shortly after, Burko found Cameron Cruz with a splitting pass through the heart of the CFC defense. Cruz hit a powerful shot into the near post corner, making it 4-1.
Just before the end of the half, Otero chipped in a ball for Dale, who brought it down expertly with his first shot but saw his attempt go wide. The first half ended with Ballard FC firmly in control, leading 4-1 and seeking to continue their dominance into the second half.
Capital FC Atletico made several changes at halftime, hoping to alter the dynamics of the game and create more opportunities. The second half began with a physical clash, resulting in yellow cards for Ballard’s Leo Burney and Khai Brisco, as well as to CFC players Umechi Akuazaoku and Jose Suarez.
Ballard continued on the front foot looking to add further to the 3 goal lead. In the 59th minute, Rafi delivered a precise pass to Burko, whose shot was well saved by the CFC goalkeeper. Moments later, Aman skillfully dribbled through the midfield and laid the ball off to Dale, whose chip shot was also saved.
CFC’s goalscorer Shiraishi saw his shot saved off the post by Jackson Buck in the 61st minute. Ballard quickly countered, with Dale sprinting down the right wing and delivering a dangerous cross that Cruz dashed in to direct into the back of the net, making it 5-1. With two goals on his birthday, Cruz definitely celebrated the right way.
Ballard made several substitutions, bringing on Brummett, Gaffney, Kingston, J. Alvarez, D. Alvarez, and Hammond. In the 66th minute, Brummett rounded the goalkeeper, who brought him down for a penalty. Brummett confidently buried the penalty into the side netting despite the keeper guessing the right way, extending Ballard’s lead to 6-1.
Kingston narrowly missed a free kick moments later as Ballard continued to control the game’s pace. Their efforts paid off once again in the 73rd minute when Gaffney played Brummett in behind, who then cut the ball back to Hammond, who buried it in the upper corner, making it 7-1.
CFC struggled to find significant chances throughout the match. In the 78thth minute, Juan Alvarez delivered a corner to the top of the box to Rafi Otero, who set himself up well with his first touch and struck a screamer into the side netting from the top of the box with his second, capping off the scoring at 8-1.
Engmann received a yellow card for holding, and CFC’s Erickson took the ensuing free kick. The ball was headed for the bottom corner, but Buck made a diving save to deny the goal. In the final minutes, Ballard passed the ball around the defeated CFC players, sealing the comprehensive 8-1 victory.
FULL-TIME: Ballard FC 8 – 1 Capital FC Atletico
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Rafi Otero was player of the match with his impressive control in the midfield, visionary passes, and his world class strike for the final goal of the game.
HOW WE LINED UP:
STARTING XI: Buck, Engmann, Burney, Brisco, Ketcham, Otero, Sent, Cruz, Aman, Burko, Dale
SUBS: Brummett, Gaffney, Kingston, J. Alvarez, D. Alvarez, Hammond
WHAT’S NEXT?
Following that match, Ballard FC will play United PDX in Portland on June 21st.
After the Portland game, Ballard FC will return home to Memorial Stadium to take on FC Olympia on Sunday, June 23rd at 5:00 PM. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team as they aim to continue their strong home performance.
