Ballard FC Defeat the Tacoma Stars for Second time this Season

After not securing a single win against the Stars in 2024, Ballard FC has come back with a vengeance, scoring 14 goals and conceding zero across their two wins in 2025.

Ballard FC returned to Interbay Stadium with purpose on Wednesday night, delivering a commanding 3–0 win over Tacoma Stars in front of an energetic crowd on Bridges United Foundation Night, securing the club’s first win at home since June 6th.

The match kicked off with immediate intensity from the home side. Inside the first 30 seconds, Christian Engmann launched a long ball to Richie Aman, who slipped a pass to Austin Brummett for an early shot—forcing Tacoma’s keeper into early action. 

Just minutes later, Beto Apolinar played a brilliant ball in behind the Tacoma defense to Khai Brisco, who was brought down at the top of the box without a whistle. 

After a few dangerous moments from Tacoma, including a corner headed on frame and caught by Stockton Short in the sixth minute, Ballard seized control of the game. In the 12th minute, Joe Dale pressed high, won possession, and unleashed a strike on target that was parried wide for Ballard’s first corner of the match. 

That’s when the breakthrough came. 

The corner was quickly taken short and played to Dale at the corner of the box, who floated a cross to the back post. Brummett rose highest and nodded it across goal, where Christian Engmann reacted first and buried the opener. 

Ballard continued to press. Richie Aman was a constant threat running down the left, repeatedly drawing fouls and creating chances. In the 16th minute, Aman broke free and drove a pass into Brummett, but the cross came too quickly and his close range shot flashed wide. In the 26th minute, Aman was brought down at the top of the box, earning a yellow card for Tacoma and another dangerous set piece. Then in the 36th, Aman came close again, this time rifling a shot off the crossbar that had the keeper beaten. 

In the 40th minute, Dale picked up the ball in the midfield and drove through defenders towards goal to square a pass to Brummett but the cross was intercepted.

The half closed with Tacoma showing signs of frustration, with a pair of late fouls in the 45th minute earning yellow cards for two of the visiting defenders. 

After the break, Ballard picked up right where they left off. 

Just one minute into the second half, a cross from Dale nearly connected with Brummett, who collided with the goalkeeper at full speed as the ball flew just wide. 

Pockets of space in the Star’s defense began opening up more. In the 53rd minute Sean Sent smashed a shot just over the bar and a minute later Beto Apolinar’s effort from close range stung the gloves of the Stars keeper. 

Ballard maintained their relentless attacks, and in the 57th minute, the pressure paid off again. 

Aman created space once more, slipping a pass into Brummett who deftly laid it off into Juan Alvarez. Alvarez took a touch and curled a stunning finish into the top corner, sending the Interbay crowd into a frenzy. Another assist for Brummett. Another amazing goal. 

Just two minutes later, Ballard was at it again as Aman combined well with Joe Dale, who charged forward at the goal, glanced up and calmly slotted home Ballard’s third with a low finish to the far post. 

In the 62nd minute, seven new players entered the match, which added to the rapid tempo of the match. 

Andre Philibbosian came close in the 67th minute with a header from a corner that flashed just wide. Rafi Otero tested the keeper from distance in the 72nd and again from close range in the 82nd, while the new frontline of Nii Engmann, Omar Yeyha and Elliot Spatz brought pace and flair to the closing stages. Spatz nearly added a fourth in the 87th with a strong low shot in the box, but it was well saved. 

In the end, Ballard’s performance was relentless and disciplined from start to finish—three goals, a clean sheet, and another confident showing at Interbay. 

MATCH DETAILS 

FULLTIME: Ballard FC 3 – 0 Tacoma Stars 

Goals: Engmann (13’), Alvarez (58’), Dale (60’) 

Assists: Brummett (13’, 58’), Aman (60’)

Starting XI: Short, Brisco, Engmann, Zemenfes, Ketcham, Apolinar, Sent, Aman, Alvarez, Dale, Brummett 

Substitutes: Otero, Yeyha, Spatz, Mendez, Philibbosian, Venkat, N. Engmann, Cruz, Buck

Player of the Match: Abeselom Zemenfes with his composed control of the match, like he’s done all season long.

WHAT’S NEXT? 

Ballard FC return to action this Saturday at Interbay, as they take on Midlakes United at 5pm. With just a point, Ballard FC would secure a playoff spot for the fourth year in a row! And if Ballard FC wins, then they will clinch their third straight division title.

Get tickets to Saturday’s match!

Written by Rowan Rathbun

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