For the second time in as many weeks Ballard FC knocked-off the top of the table Portland Bangers, this time on the road in Oregon.
Two quality goals from Zach Ramsey and Cianole Nguepissi sealed a massive three points and the PNW Keg Cup’s return to the 206.
The first 15 minutes of the match saw both teams get their feet beneath them, with neither side mounting a dangerous attack. In the 16th a long shot from Vala Saghafi forced a catch out of debut Ballard goalkeeper Noah Newman.
Milo Wray had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 19th, receiving a backheel flick that put him clear in on goal, his shot beat Newman but skittered inches beyond the far post.
The ensuing counterattack is where the momentum of the game would swing entirely in favor of Ballard. A long high clearance found Zach Ramsey 35 yards from net, and the Bridges star attacker would dribble through a pair of defenders before a tug on the jersey from Loic Baures would stop his momentum and prompt a red card for denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Baures got his marching orders and Ramsey got a chance to put in a free kick from just outside the box. The first-round MLS Superdraft pick would do just that, striking a perfect set piece over the wall and into the back of the net, 1-0.
Despite being down a man the Bangers continued to commit numbers forwards, creating chances on the break for Ballard.
A good chance at a second was blocked from ten yards out by the Portland defense in the 28th.
Newman was once again called into action in the 30th, pushing aside a long shot through traffic from Ethan Doud.
The teams would go into the break at the 1-0 scoreline, with the Bangers chasing an equalizer down to 10 men, and putting solid pressure on the Ballard backline throughout the first 45. Ballard however had been decisive on the counter, grabbing their man-advantage and goal through a quick break.
The first chance of the second half would come for Portland, as Aiden Marquez pulled a shot wide in the 49th, but Ballard would start to settle into controlling possession and the passage of play.
A shot would strike Portland’s cross bar following a corner in the 60th, and a couple minutes later Ballard would finish off a corner kick, as Cianole Nguepissi volleyed in the insurance goal.
Ramsey picked up his second goal-involvement with the assist to Nguepissi’s first Ballard FC goal.
Up a player and two goals, Ballard had little trouble securing the result and holding on to the shutout for a convincing road win against a team ranked in the national top-10.
Etienne Veillard was named player of the match for dominant play on the right flank, helping to keep the clean sheet.
Written by Adam Race
Game Notes
- In Noah Newman’s first start in goal for Ballard FC, he posted a shutout, the third this season for the club and first on the road.
- Zach Ramsey’s free-kick goal was the first direct free-kick strike of 2026 for Ballard
- Ballard’s 3-1 and 2-0 wins over Portland mean they win the 2026 Keg Cup
- Ballard sit in 2nd place in the NW Division table, two points behind Snohomish United
Scoring Recap
- 21’ (BFC): Scored by Zach Ramsey, unassisted
- 62’ (BFC): Scored by Cianole Nguepissi, assisted by Zach Ramsey
