Ballard FC
Ballard FC is an American soccer club based in Seattle, Washington, competing in the Northwest Division of USL League Two. They began play in the 2022 season and won their first league championship in 2023. , Ballard FC's home venue is Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center. 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. The club's largest supporters' group is The Bridge Keepers. Ballard FC made their league debut on May 21, 2022, defeating Lane United FC 6–1 in front of 1,200 spectators. The team finished second in the USL2 Northwest Division behind Oregon's Capital FC and qualified for the league playoffs. They advanced to the Western Conference Final in Des Moines, Iowa, where Ballard FC lost 2–1 to the eventual league champions Ventura County Fusion. Captain and defender Lesia Thetsane was a finalist for the USL2 Player of the Year Award and was one of 14 players to return for the club's second season in 2023. Head coach Jason Farrell left the club in July 2023 after they had clinched a playoff berth and was replaced by Ethan O'Neill on an interim basis. Ballard FC secured their first Northwest Division title and hosted several playoff matches at Interbay Stadium. The club advanced to the USL League Two Championship, which they would host at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, against Lionsbridge FC on August 5, 2023. Ballard FC won their first championship 2–1 with a goal in stoppage time scored by Cameron Martin in front of a sellout crowd of 3,416. The club are the second from Washington to win the league's championship, after Kitsap Pumas in 2011, and earned qualification to the 2024 U.S. Open Cup. 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 collegiate soccer teams for Seattle Pacific Falcons. 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. Players and staff

Technical staff

Roster

Year-by-year

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

References

2021 establishments in Washington (state)
Association football clubs established in 2021
Ballard, Seattle
Soccer clubs in Seattle
USL League Two teams