Ballard FC defeated Lane United 3-0 on Friday night to jump to the top of the Northwest Division standings.
On a night marked by physical play and seven yellow cards, Ballard FC put on a dominant performance in front of a sold out crowd of 1,500 fans at Interbay Stadium.
The chances came fast and furious for Ballard FC with Lane United goalkeeper Brandon Limes called into action plenty. In the sixth minute, Charlie Gaffney forced Limes into a save right at the goal line.
Ten minutes later, Limes saved a Danny Robles penalty kick after a handball in the box. The save rejuvenated the Lane United side and they held off Ballard FC for another 15 minutes.
However, Robles would get his revenge in the 31st minute. He played in a delicious free kick and then Stas Korzeniowski’s physical presence was key as the ball was deflected into the back of the net.
Limes made one more diving stop before the half, denying Charlie Gaffney once more by tipping his header over the bar. The half finished at 1-0 and could have been more.
In the second half, winger Jeremy Opong came into the match and was hugely impactful. After getting a late assist against Oly Town FC on Sunday, Opong was back in the goal action on Friday night.
After a scramble in the box, the ball found itself at the feet of Opong in the 59th minute and he slotted home into the bottom corner, rolling the ball past Limes. After Ballard FC’s second goal, the match calmed down with the home side fully in control.
However, Opong was not done as he found fellow substitute, Alex Mejia, in the 83rd minute. Mejia, last season’s leading scorer in the Northwest Division, opened his account for the 2023 season with a delightful weak foot finish into the bottom corner for the third.
The match would finish at 3-0, as Ballard FC’s historic night ended in victory.
Highlights:
After a second consecutive league clean sheet, the center-back pairing of Leo Burney and Christian Engmann was immense and the two were named Friday’s Men of the Match by head coach Jason Farrell.
Ballard FC will be back in action on Memorial Day as they hit the road to take on United PDX Monday, May 29th at 3:00 PM. Come down to the Oregon Episcopal School in Portland to support the team or watch live in the Reuben’s Brews taproom.
Photos courtesy of Marissa Lordahl and Blake Dahlin
