A sunny Saturday at Memorial Stadium set up a hot and tense encounter as Ballard FC fell to Lane United by one goal. Despite controlling possession and creating the majority of the scoring opportunities, Ballard FC were unable to find the back of the net.
WHAT HAPPENED?
From the opening whistle, Ballard FC asserted control of the match, spending almost of the entire first 10 minutes in Lane United’s half. The first real opportunity came in the 15th minute when Rafi Otero delivered a pinpoint cross to Christian Engmann whose powerful header was saved by Will Ficek.
The relentless pressure from Ballard FC continued as Demian Alvarez cut inside and shot from the top of the box in the 17th minute, only to be denied by Ficek’s diving save. Moments later, Elliot Spatz had an effort blocked for another corner. Ballard’s attacking intent was clear, but the final finish remained out of reach.
In the 24th minute, Leo Burney came close with a header from Otero’s corner, beating the keeper to the ball but missing over the target. The first half saw Lane United struggle to maintain possession, as Ballard pressed high without the ball.
However, against the run of play, Lane United won a penalty in the 44th minute. The penalty was awarded after Ede Gramberg was brought down in the box by Charlie Lanphier. Gramberg ran onto to a through ball that split the defense, and he reached just before Lanphier.
Tate Richards converted the spot kick to give Lane United a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Ballard continued to be dangerous in the second half, creating many half-chances. Despite these chances, Lane United’s defense stood strong as they put numbers back and looked to hit Ballard in transition. Khai Brisco received a yellow card in the 56th minute for stopping a Lane counter-attack. Brisco became the fifth Ballard FC player to see yellow on Saturday as referee Adorae Monroy was quick to reach for her back pocket.
In an effort to unlock Lane United’s defense, Chris Meyers, Alex Mejia, and Ray Mendez were introduced in the 60th minute, followed by Luke Hammond shortly after.
Despite numerous corners and close attempts, including Burney’s headed effort tipped over the bar, the breakthrough for Ballard could not be found. Meyers’ cross to Engmann challenged Ficek, who continued to make impressive saves.
In the final 20 minutes, Kojo Dadzie and Cameron Yriondo came on, adding fresh energy as the home side pushed for an equalizer. Hammond’s volley in the 77th minute flashed over the bar, and headers in the following minutes from Dadzie and Mejia narrowly missed the target.
As the match entered the final minutes, Ballard FC maintained pressure with a series of corners and set-pieces. In the dying moments, a long ball to Dadzie in the box saw him brought down, but this time Monroy saw nothing wrong with the challenge and blew the full time whistle.
Full Time: Ballard FC 0 – 1 Lane United
HOW WE LINED UP
STARTING XI: LANPHIER, D. ALVAREZ, ENGMANN, BURNEY, BRISCO, SENT, OTERO, J. ALVAREZ, AMAN, SPATZ, GAFFNEY
SUBS: MEJIA, MEYERS, MENDEZ, HAMMOND, DADZIE, YRIONDO
WHAT’S NEXT?
Ballard FC now prepare for a top of the table clash against United PDX in the final home match of the regular season. That match will take place at Memorial Stadium on Friday, July 12th with a 7PM kickoff.
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
