Ballard FC Triumphs 2–1 Over Ventura County Fusion, Win Western Conference Championship

With a sold-out crowd packed into Interbay Stadium and a second national title within reach, Ballard FC rose to the occasion Friday night with a composed 2–1 victory over Ventura County Fusion in the USL League Two Western Conference Final.

The win not only secured Ballard the Western crown but also booked their ticket to Sunday’s National Semifinal against Central Conference Champions Flint City Bucks, which will also take place at home.

From the opening whistle, it was clear the moment wasn’t too big for the hosts. Playing under the lights in front of a sea of supporters — including the ever-vocal Bridge Keepers, the elusive Bush Keepers beyond the fence line, and even a pair of fans perched in surrounding trees — Ballard embraced the stakes and delivered a performance worthy of the occasion.

After a handful of early chances, Ballard struck first in the 30th minute following a chaotic sequence inside the box.

Rafi Otero started the move with a pass from the left wing to Beto Apolinar at the top of the box. Beto slid the ball beyond Richie Aman to find Joe Dale making a run through traffic. Dale’s initial shot bounced off the crossbar and back into the scramble, where Richie headed the rebound from the edge of the six. There, Charlie Kosakoff unleashed a volley that was deflected by the Ventura keeper’s leg. The ball fell once more to Joe Dale, who calmly placed it into the bottom-left corner to give Ballard the 1–0 lead they so valiantly earned.

Ballard took that one goal lead into the halftime break.

Once the second 45 started, the home side wasted no time doubling the advantage. Just two minutes into the second half, in the 47th minute, Kosakoff got his goal. After receiving a ball from Aman just past midfield, the striker outran the final defender and met the Ventura goalkeeper far outside the box. He calmly pushed the ball past the charging keeper and watched as it clipped the inside of the right post. With a defender closing in, Kosakoff followed the ball to ensure it wouldn’t be cleared off the line, sealing a memorable finish that brought Interbay to its feet.

Ventura County responded with urgency, and their physical approach began to show. In the 56th minute, Andres Torres was shown a yellow card after a hard sideline challenge that flipped Richie Aman to the ground near the visiting bench.

As the physicality increased and the minutes ticked away, Ballard made a wave of substitutions, beginning in the 62nd minute. Beto Apolinar exited the match, with Andre Philibbosian coming on to reinforce the midfield and match the rising intensity. In the 75th minute, Charlie Kosakoff was subbed off for Omar Yehya. Four minutes later, Ballard used its final substitution window, bringing on Zach Ramsey for Joe Dale and Khai Brisco for Omar Grey. All three substitution windows were used during this 17-minute stretch as Ballard looked to preserve fresh legs in key positions and avoid unnecessary injury while protecting their advantage.

Just two minutes after coming on, Yehya was shown a yellow card in the 81st minute after voicing his frustration over an offsides call. Ventura County’s Fofana received a yellow card of his own one minute later for a high, late challenge.

As tensions rose in the final moments, even Ballard head coach James Riley was shown a yellow card from the bench in the 89th minute.

Five minutes of added time were announced, and Ventura County found a late breakthrough in the dying seconds. In the 95th minute, a cross from the left found Bridger Baltes making a crashing run into the six-yard box. He finished with conviction, denying Ballard the clean sheet and bringing the score to 2–1 just before the final whistle, refusing to board the bus empty-handed.

But a minute later, the final whistle blew and Ballard FC lifted the Western Conference Trophy.

Richie Aman was named Player of the Match for his relentless midfield performance. Despite being constantly targeted with double and triple coverage, Aman’s footwork, field vision, and ability to maintain composure under pressure allowed Ballard to create dangerous attacking moments and control the rhythm of play. He also delivered the match-winning assist, slipping a perfectly weighted ball to Charlie Kosakoff just past midfield in the 47th minute.

With the win, Ballard FC advances to the National Semifinal and continues its pursuit of a second national championship after lifting the USL 2 national trophy in 2023. They return to Interbay this Sunday to face the Flint City Bucks at 5:30pm with a trip to the national final on the line.

MATCH DETAILS

FULLTIME: Ballard FC 2 – 1 Ventura County Fusion

Goals: Dale (30’), Kosakoff (47’)

Assists: Aman (47′)

Starting XI: Short, Ketcham, Engmann, Zemenfes, Grey, Apolinar, Sent, Otero, Aman, Dale, Kosakoff

Substitutes: Philibbosian, Yehya, Ramsey, Brisco, N. Engmann, Mungomba, Bertos, Venkat, Lanphier

Player of the Match: Richie Aman

WHAT’S NEXT?

Ballard FC return to action this Sunday at Interbay Stadium in the National Semifinal, as they take on the Flint City Bucks at 5:30pm. Join us as we look to book our spot in the national final!

Get tickets to Sunday’s semifinal!

Written by Emily Battistoni