Ballard FC Put Six Past Colorado Storm, Advance in Style to Conference Semifinal

Ballard FC opened their 2025 USL League Two playoff campaign with a statement victory on Friday night in front a record crowd at Interbay Stadium, winning 6-0 to send the Storm back to Colorado.

The match started with a blistering pace. In just the second minute, Rafi Otero, getting the start in a central attacking role, slipped Charlie Kosakoff through 1v1, but the flag went up for offsides. That set the tone as Ballard immediately took control of the match, winning challenges, playing quickly through midfield, and attacking in numbers.

Khai Brisco whipped in a dangerous cross in the ninth minute that found Otero flying in at the back post, forcing the first save of the match. Richie Aman was a constant threat down the left side, creating opportunities with his dribbling and cutbacks, while Joe Dale and Kosakoff worked tirelessly up front to keep the Storm defense pinned back.

Ballard were eager to open the scoring quickly and their relentless efforts paid off in the 32nd minute. Koskoff turned in space and laid the ball out wide to Aman who swiftly weaved past his defender once again and cut the ball across the face of goal where Dale arrived at the back post to hammer it home, making it 1-0 for the home side. The front three of Washington huskies showed off their chemistry on this goal and throughout the match.

Ballard maintained the electric tempo after the opener, with Beto Apolinar testing the keeper with a powerful strike from the top of the box. Moments later, Otero was brought down in the box as he shaped to shoot, but no penalty was given to the dismay of the crowd.

The back line, anchored by Isaac Ketcham and Christian Engmann, stayed sharp and composed throughout the half, cutting out any Colorado counters and winning every duel.

The second half exploded into life. In the 47th minute, a Luke Hammond cross caused chaos, with Brisco nearly finishing a rebound. Just a minute later, Dale found space on the right and floated a perfect cross into the six-yard box where Otero crashed in and headed home to make it 2–0, sending Interbay into celebration.

The Storm looked to restart the game quickly, but that just allowed for Ballard to strike again while the iron was hot. Aman drove forward and created a frenzy in the box. A rebound returned to Aman who headed it down to Kosakoff who calmly volleyed in Ballard’s third goal of the night, demonstrating the squad’s relentless hunger.

Aman continued his dazzling display down the left as he dribbled through numbers to get shots off on goal in the 56th and 60th minute, both forcing strong saves from the Colorado keeper, Jake Morris, in net.

The first two substitutions would come on in the 59th minute as Sean Sent and Omar Yehya entered the match to replace Apolinar and Dale.

Then inn the 68th minute Coach Riley emptied the bench and made a five player substitution, bringing even more energy into the match and it was clear that the players coming on were all hungry to make an impact. Omar Grey, Nii Engmann, Zach Ramsey, Cameron Cruz, and Arjun Venkat came in for Brisco, Kosakoff, Otero, Aman, and Hammond

In the 72nd minute, Omar Yehya’s audacious footwork surged through defenders and he won a corner for his efforts. From the ensuing set piece, Zach Ramsey curled in a cross on a silver platter as Nii Engmann towered above the rest to nod in the fourth.

Colorado struggled to cope and resorted to hard fouls late on as frustration boiled over, but Ballard kept their composure… and their foot on the gas.

In the 84th minute, Omar Grey made it 5–0 by heading home another pinpoint Ramsey corner. Then in the 90th minute, it was Nii Engmann again, powering another header into the net from yet another perfect delivery by Ramsey, to cap off the night at 6–0.

It was a complete team performance: airtight defending, creative attacking play, and clinical finishing, matched with energetic support from a record-breaking Interbay crowd of 1,539 fans.

MATCH DETAILS

FULLTIME: Ballard FC 6 – 0 Colorado Storm

Starting XI: Short, Hammond, Ketcham, C. Engmann, Brisco, Apolinar, Zemenfes, Otero, Aman, Dale, Kosakoff

Substitutes: Sent, Yehya, Venkat, Ramsey, N. Engmann, Cruz, Grey, Mungomba, Lanphier

Player of the Match: Rafi Otero, who scored the second and was part of nearly every attacking move.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Ballard FC return to Interbay Stadium 2pm on Sunday for the Western Conference Semifinal, looking to maintain this momentum as they take on familiar foes Snohomish United. Don’t miss out! Tickets available now!

Written by Rowan Rathbun