Ballard FC are heading to Vermont this weekend to face off against the Vermont Green in the USL League Two National Final on Saturday, August 2nd. Kickoff is set for 4pm PT/7pm ET.
After Ballard FC’s 2-1 win in the National Semifinal against the Flint City Bucks, they are set up for their second national final in just three seasons. In 2023, Ballard FC defeated Lionsbridge FC 2-1 in the National Final in the “Thrilla in Tukwila” at Starfire. Now, they will be looking for a similar result on the road.
Saturday’s match at Virtue Field will kickoff at 4pm PT. Tickets are sold out, and fans in Seattle should head to Reuben’s Brews for the Watch Party. Fans will be able to watch at the Ballard taproom as well as Reuben’s new downtown location.
Above is a look at the watch party details for this Saturday. Now let’s meet our hosts.
Vermont Green FC
Vermont Green FC are one of the most well-known clubs in all of USL 2, as they are the only club with more followers across all platforms than Ballard FC.
But they are more than just a club with a huge following. The Green are coming off their first division title and are the only team in the nation to go undefeated through both the regular season and postseason to this point.
Despite being undefeated, Ballard FC can find hope in the number of draws Vermont has had this season, which have continued to the postseason as they have twice had to go to extra time. The Green’s most recent match went all the way to penalties in which Owen O’Malley scored the winning spot kick to send them through to the national final.
O’Malley was the ninth overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by St. Louis City SC and has also played professionally for the Tacoma Defiance. After leaving the Defiance, O’Malley rejoined the Green this summer where he has been scoring clutch goals all season long. In the regular season finale, he scored a stoppage-time equalizer to keep the undefeated season intact and win the Green’s first division championship.
Other than O’Malley, the Ballard backline will need to look out for David Ajagbe, Zachary Zengue, and Arnaud Tattevin. Additionally, the former Defiance player is not the only Seattle soccer connection on the Vermont Green roster. Alex Hall and Gabe Fernandez have been vital cogs in the machine for Vermont and both of them will play for the Washington Huskies this fall. With the dawg duo in Vermont, there are a total of eleven current or former Huskies across the two rosters for Saturday’s final.
Ballard should expect quite the hostile environment as the Green will have over 2,500 fans in attendance and have sold out every match of their postseason run.
Saturday’s match is shaping up to be a classic between two of the bigger brands in the entire nation.
Can’t make it to the match or watch party? The match can be streamed on SportsEngine Play or on the Vermont Green website.
Written by Max Dresbach
