For the second straight year, Ballard FC is hosting Spokane Velocity in the U.S. Open Cup.
The U.S. Open Cup is the oldest soccer competition in the country. “Amateur” clubs such as Ballard FC do not automatically qualify for the tournament. Ballard FC qualified based on their 2024 league standing, and is one of nine USL 2 clubs in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup. This is the second year in a row that Ballard FC is hosting their first round Open Cup match, but this year it will be at Interbay Stadium.
After a summer at Memorial Stadium, Ballard FC is back at Interbay for 2025. Fans will be looking forward to returning to Interbay Stadium, which is much closer to Ballard and will also allow fans to watch the match live from the beer garden.
With a spot in the Open Cup Second Round on the line, let’s preview Wednesday’s match.
Previous Encounter
Last year, Spokane Velocity defeated Ballard FC 1-0 with a late winner deep into the second half. The two teams went into halftime scoreless with neither side threatening, but the match would open up in the second half.
Ballard FC’s Lesia Thetsane came close to breaking the deadlock after coming into the match as a substitute, but his shot was saved.
The match looked set for extra time, but Spokane would find a winner in the dying moments. A long throw into the box found the foot of Andre Lewis who volleyed home the opening goal with one of the final kicks of the match.
Preview
Wednesday’s Open Cup match will be Spokane’s second competitive match of 2025 as they kick off USL League One (USL 1) play this Saturday, March 16th against One Knoxville SC. Spokane’s most recent match was a 3-0 defeat in the USL 1 Final against Union Omaha. Despite the loss, Spokane had an amazing debut season in USL 1 and will look to compete for the league title once again in 2025.
For Ballard FC, Wednesday’s cup match will be the hosts’ first competitive match since July of 2024. With the USL 2 season not starting until May, the club’s Open Cup roster will look a little different than the roster for the regular season. Ballard FC’s official Open Cup First Round roster was announced Monday, and is primarily made up of players from local colleges such as the University of Washington, Seattle University, and Seattle Pacific University. However, former Seattle Sounder and USMNT midfielder Kelyn Rowe has joined the squad for the Open Cup run and will bring invaluable experience.
After losing in 2024, Ballard FC will be eager to get some revenge and also get the club’s first ever Open Cup win. The winner of Wednesday’s match will take on the winner of Tacoma Defiance v. Washington Athletic Club who will face off on Thursday, March 20th.
With last year’s USL 1 runner-ups coming into town, Ballard FC will need the Interbay crowd to be at full strength as they aim for a “cupset” victory.
Get tickets to Wednesday’s match!
MATCH DETAILS
With Ballard FC returning to Interbay Stadium this year, fans can check out the map below to familiarize themselves with the stadium.
Gates: Gates open at 6:00pm! We also recommend arriving early to enjoy the food and beer offerings, watch the players warm up, beat the hassle of traffic and parking, and to enjoy all of the prematch festivities. Also, the first 150 fans will get the above match poster FREE.
Open Cup Patch: U.S. Open Cup specific patches will be available for sale at the match! Get the patch heat pressed onto any jersey with a donation of $10 at the match. All donations go to the Bridges United Foundation.
Koozies: The first 100 fans will get a Ballard FC Open Cup koozie
Food Vendors: Beyond the thrilling soccer action, Wednesday’s match will feature an array of food vendors, including Big Boys Filipino, T’Juana Tacos, and Mainstay Provisions. Also, before you head to Pagliacci Pitch, you can take advantage of the Pagliacci Pizza BOGO slice deal on game days. Just show your ticket at any Pagliacci location (except UW) and get two slices for the price of one. Outside food is not allowed in the venue except for Pagliacci Pizza.
Bridge the Gap: The Bridges United Foundation, the social impact arm of both Ballard FC and Salmon Bay FC, is currently running the Bridge the Gap fundraising campaign focused around the Open Cup. Bridges United aims to “bridge the gap” by providing high-quality sporting education to youth all across Seattle and Western Washington. If you are interested in supporting the foundation and/or winning some Open Cup related prizes, donate today!
Ballard Food Bank: We also encourage fans to support the community by bringing donations for the Ballard food bank. The following items will be accepted at Wednesday’s match: Peanut butter, canned soup, cereal, oatmeal, rice, pasta, ramen, canned fruit and vegetables, and granola bars.
Beer Garden: We’re proud to offer Reuben’s Brews at the Bridges United Foundation Beer Garden this year at Interbay Stadium, featuring the newly released Mighty Fine Bridgekeepers Pilsner!
Transportation: Parking is extremely limited. We highly recommend alternative forms of transportation, including biking as we will have the Wombi Bike Parking area available at every home match this year. Please also consider riding King County Metro on game day, where youth through age 18 always ride free! Check out transit mode in Google Maps, the TripPlanner.kingcounty.gov website, or an app like OneBusAway.
