Ballard FC Defeated By a Last Minute Strike in a Spirited First Round Open Cup Match

It was a lively Ballard FC performance in front of 2,452 supporters on Wednesday night. The match started with several good looks at goal in the first half for the home side and became increasingly more physical while the score remained at a deadlock. In the last minute of added time, Velocity put away their only shot on target from a deep cross into the box to win the match.

First Half

Ballard FC came out strong under the Memorial Stadium lights, fueled by the great energy from the supporters, with a number of good chances. In the fourth minute of the match, Peter Kingston hit the target first with a powerful strike from the edge of the box forcing an impressive save.

Ballard kept the pressure on with a number of good deliveries into the box. Alex Mejia connected on one with a header and another with a volley, though both flashed over the crossbar. Khai Brisco stole the ball off of a Velocity defender and dribbled swiftly by another to draw a free kick for Ballard FC on the edge of the box. Kingston hit the free kick well, but the Velocity wall did its job.

Ballard FC seemed to dominate play in the first half and had the majority of shots, limiting the opposition to only a few.

Spokane Velocity’s best chances of the first half came from counter attacks. Ballard FC keeper Charlie Lanphier was quick off his line to pounce on a dangerous long through ball and Josh Dolling had a close-range header that went wide of Ballard’s goal.

Second Half

The second half from the beginning was much more physical as Velocity looked to hit Ballard FC out of their momentum. Spokane Velocity received a total of 5 yellow cards which all came in the second half. Two of them were fouls to stop dangerous attacks from Ballard FC. 

The high energy and effort of the first half continued, though there were less clear cut chances. Head Coach James Riley made four substitutions in the match. The first two to come on were Engmann and Thetsane in the 62nd minute, followed later by Sent and Adekoya in the 78th minute.

Lesia Thetsane had one of Ballard FC’s best shots of the second half that was blocked by a sliding challenge in the box. Adeseyi Adekoya made a darting run forward on a Ballard FC counter attack but the shot went over the target. 

The high tempo battle between the sides continued and in the 87th minute a controversial call led to both Ballard FC head coach, James Riley and Spokane Velocity head coach, Leigh Veidman receiving yellow cards.

The match looked like it would be headed into overtime in its final few moments, until Spokane Velocity sent a long throw-in into the box that was met with a volley into the top corner by Andre Lewis, winning them the game with one of the very last kicks of the ball.

What’s Next?

We greatly appreciate the incredible turnout and support at our club’s first Open Cup match. We will be back at Memorial Stadium in May to kick off the season and hope to see you there! Season tickets and single match tickets are available now, get yours today!