For the third year in a row, the first two rounds of the USL League Two Playoffs are coming to Interbay Stadium.
Four teams will play at Interbay this weekend with the Western Conference quarterfinals on Friday, July 19th followed be the semifinals on Sunday, July 21st. The first quarterfinal will be played at 2:00 PM between United PDX and Almaden FC, and it will be followed at 7:30 PM as hosts Ballard FC take on Project 51O.
The winners of Friday’s matches will then play at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 21st for a chance to make the Western Conference Final. Tickets are still available for all three matches, and fans can purchase single-match tickets or save money by getting all three in a ticket bundle. To purchase the bundle, follow the ticket link and select any match, then select “get tickets” and you will see the bundle options. Matches are expected to sell out before Friday so get your tickets now!
Above is a look at the bracket for the three playoff matches at Interbay Stadium this weekend. Now let’s meet the four teams.
Ballard FC have had a remarkable start to life as USL 2 club, making the playoffs in all three seasons, and winning it all last year. Now, the hosts are coming off the second straight Northwest Division Title and will be looking to defend their National Championship. This season, Ballard FC finished 9-3-2 (W-L-T), topping the division standings, and scoring the fourth most goals in the entire league with 40. Despite being hosts, this weekend will be the first Ballard FC match at Interbay Stadium since July 23rd of last year. Due to ADA improvement construction, Ballard FC played their 2024 regular season matches at Historic Memorial Stadium in Seattle Center. Fans will welcome a return to Ballard and the familiar Interbay pitch for some more playoff magic. Ballard FC are 18-2-0 in all competitions at Interbay Stadium with a 4-0 playoff record. They will look to keep that perfect home playoff record intact this weekend as they push to make their third straight Western Conference Final.
Ballard FC have a very deep roster, constantly giving head coach James Riley selection headaches for each matchday roster. You can read more about the 2024 roster, but we will highlight a few names: The frontline is led by striker Alex Mejia, who is a three year player for Ballard FC. Mejia has two goals in his last two matches and will look to keep that form going into the postseason. The winger core consists of three year returners Charlie Gaffney and Joe Dale, as well as the newly-signed Richie Aman, who has caused defenses trouble all season. The midfield group is led by 2023 USL 2 National Final MVP, Peter Kingston, as well as former Tacoma Defiance player, Juan Alvarez. And the defense is captained by three year center-back Christian Engmann, protecting Seattle University goalkeeper, Charlie Lanphier. Lanphier is not the only local college star on a Ballard roster. which includes five other current or former players from Seattle University, six from Seattle Pacific University, and eight from the University of Washington. Now, let’s meet the opponents.
For the second time in three years Ballard FC will open their postseason campaign against Project 51O. Project 51O is the developmental academy for the Oakland Roots, a USL championship side. In 2022, Ballard FC defeated 51O 2-1 with goals from Gaffney and Declan McGlynn. 51O fought back with a goal from Lorenzo Hernandez in the 78th minute, but it was too little too late.
As an academy team, Project 51O is quite young, with only nine players in their 30-man roster above the age of 20. Some of Project 51O’s best players will also play with the Oakland Roots. In this year alone, more than ten Project 51O players were signed to Oakland Roots Academy contracts, including Thomas Camier, Javier Bedolla-Vera, Ilya Alekseev, and Ali Elmasnaouy — all of whom have made their professional debuts and are eligible for 51O’s playoff roster. This season, Project 51O went 9-4-1 and finished second in the Nor Cal Division, tied on points with division champions Almaden FC. 51O come into the postseason on a hot streak, winning their final five matches of the season. They will look to keep this streak going and get some revenge on Friday night.
In the other quarterfinal, United PDX will take on Almaden FC. United PDX finished the season with an identical record as Ballard, going 9-3-2 with 29 points. The two teams split their season matchups, with each side winning at home. However, United PDX finished second in the division due to an inferior goal difference. This is only United PDX’s second season in the league, and their first postseason appearance. PDX will be looking for their first playoff win against fellow playoff debutants, Almaden FC.
To do so, United PDX will look to rely on their defense, as they have all season long. United PDX allow less than a goal per match on average and are tied for ninth fewest goals allowed in the entire league. They have allowed more than one goal in just one match this season. If goalkeeper Davis King and the rest of the backline can keep this form going into the postseason then they will be tough to beat for any team they face.
Almaden FC have had an incredible inaugural season, making the playoffs and winning the Nor Cal Division Title. They finished the season on 28 points, going 8-2-4, and winning the division on goal difference. Similarly to their opponents, Almaden do not allow many goals, conceding just 1.07 goals per match.
Almaden Soccer has been around since 1967, serving as a nonprofit organization that provide local soccer opportunities. In 2007 Almaden FC was born, the competitive youth club provided higher-level soccer to local youth looking to develop. Now, they have added a USL 2 team to the club umbrella, recruiting local college talent but also alumni from their youth teams.
Almaden FC’s attack is led by William Wiersdorf who has 8 goals and 1 assist in 12 matches. Wiersdorf will look to add to his tally against the stellar United PDX defense this Friday afternoon.
This weekend will be full of playoff soccer at Interbay Stadium. Don’t miss it. Get your tickets now before they are gone.
BFC MATCH DETAILS
Gates: Gates open at 6:00pm! We also recommend arriving early to enjoy the food and beer offerings, watch the players warm up, beat the hassle of traffic and parking, and to enjoy all of the prematch festivities. With merchandise 15% off, we suggest arriving early to beat the lines. Also, the first 150 fans will get the below match poster FREE.
Food Vendors: Beyond the thrilling soccer action, Friday’s match will feature an array of food vendors, including Kottu, Falafel Salam, Mainstay Provisions, Seattle Pops, and you can always grab Pagliacci Pizza right across the street before the match. Enjoy a buy one get one slice deal when you show your ticket. Sunday’s match will have Katmandu, Mainstay Provisions, and Seattle Pops.
Ballard Food Bank: We also encourage fans to support the community by bringing donations for the Ballard food bank. The following items will be accepted at Friday’s match: Peanut butter, canned soup, cereal, oatmeal, rice, pasta, ramen, canned fruit and vegetables, and granola bars.
Beer Garden: We’re proud to offer the Reuben’s Brews beer garden this season at Interbay Stadium, featuring Up The Bridges Pale Ale! The beer garden is 21 + only and will wrap around the goal. Check the stadium map below.
Transportation: Parking is limited. We highly recommend alternative forms of transportation. Please consider riding King County Metro on game day, where youth through age 18 always ride free! Check out transit mode in Google Maps, the TripPlanner.kingcounty.gov website, or an app like OneBusAway.
Live Stream: Can’t make it to the match? All Ballard FC home matches will be streamed to our YouTube channel. The stream for the match this Friday can be found HERE. Our live stream is proudly presented by Albert Lee Appliance and Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants.
