Ballard FC win Crucial Top of the Table Clash 3-1 over Portland Bangers

Saturday night was easily the biggest game for Ballard so far in the 2026 season, and they delivered a convincing 3-1 win featuring a trio of excellent goals against the previously unbeaten Bangers.

Both teams entered as top-10 squads in USL-2 but it was the Ballard Boys who were able to prove themselves on the night, remaining undefeated at 4-0-1 and strengthening their division spot.

Ballard has made a habit of quick starts at Interbay Stadium over the years, and it was the same story Saturday night. Seven minutes into the match, Beto Apolinar fired a 50 yard strike downfield, playing Alex Notzka through on net all the way from center back. Notzka beat the on rushing goalkeeper to the ball, and chipped in the opener from 30 yards out.

Elliot Spatz almost doubled the advantage in the 11th, finding himself 1 on 1 with Portland GK Keenan Vanpelt, but Vanpelt got big and denied the chance from point-blank range.

Vanpelt had to get himself out of trouble in the 20th, playing a ball straight to Zach Ramsey under pressure, but the Timbers Academy product spared his own blushes by saving Ramsey’s shot.

Ballard goalkeeper Stockton Short was called into action for the first time in the 26th minute, when a Nico Lopez spinning volleyed effort required a catch save from Short.

The second half of the first 45 would be played out on relatively even terms, with each team producing a handful of half-chances, but neither able to break through, and the clubs went into the break at 1-0.

Two minutes into the second half Elliot Spatz once again found himself clear in on VanPelts net, and was once again denied 1-on-1 by the keeper.

Daniel Palomino tested Stockton Short from long-range in the 50th, hitting a bending line drive towards goal, but Short while battling the sun dove to parry the effort before falling on the rebound.

Short didn’t get a long rest before his next save, leaping to tip a flick-header over the bar in the 57th. Ballard would counter attack immediately, and a quick throw from Zach Ramsey found Juan Alvarez in on goal from an acute angle, forcing VanPelt to make his third 1v1 save of the match.

The highlight of the match and an early goal of the year contender would give Ballard some much-needed insurance in the 61st. Juan Alvarez picked up the ball 25 yards from net on a short dribble, before lacing an inch-perfect shot into the top corner, giving no chance to VanPelt and putting Ballard two goals to the good.

Portland would not go down quietly, and Short was forced into more big saves in the 70th and 71st, denying a Vance Sheffield Volley which looked to be heading top-bins before parrying a deceptive deflected shot moments later.

Bangers did not help their own case with a Drew Pederson miss wide-open at the far post in the 81st, but would finally find the back of the net in the 84th after a perfectly executed free kick routine saw Bangers captain Tate Richards tap in the goal to cut the lead to one.

Stockton Short played hero in the 86th, saving a possible leveler from substitute Aidan Marquez to maintain the lead. Ballard then went into game-management mode, keeping the ball away from net as much as possible, fighting to maintain their lead.

A scramble from a corner kick in the 88th nearly gave Ballard their dagger, and the hosts would eventually find the clincher in added time. Three minutes past the 90, some lovely interplay between Zach Ramsey and Dunes Nielsen would free space for Emmett Layman to put a ball into the middle, where Anton Hjalmarsson swept home Ballard’s third, putting the game away.

Postgame with Coach Kwesele

“(The win) was massive against such a good team. They’re well coached, they have a great way of playing.. there’s a reason they were 6-0-0.”

“The first goal was crucial, I’m glad it went to us, I’m glad it came early.”

“We had the right kind of intensity. We spoke before the game about mentality and showing up and making sure we do the details right, because against a team like that if you aren’t organized, if you aren’t compact, if you don’t battle for duels they are gonna carve you up.”

“(Stockton Short) is a fantastic keeper, we’re so blessed to have him. Collectively we are a little annoyed that we gave up the goal, and that made the game a little tight, but we know with Stockton we’re always going to be solid.”

Match Facts:

Ballard goes to 2-1 all time against the Bangers, and for the first time a team in the Keg Cup has won a game by multiple goals
Alex Notzka has scored, assisted or drawn a penalty kick in all three of Ballard FCs home games this season
Ballard has scored first in every game this season, and is yet to trail.
Anton Hjalmarsson has now scored in back-to-back home games
Stockton Short’s six big saves were crucial, the most involved goalkeeper performance of 2026 for Ballard
Angel Martinez provided his first assist in an all-around excellent performance at centerback

Scoring Recap:

8’ (BAL): Alex Notzka (2), assisted by Beto Apolinar (1)

61’ (BAL): Juan Alvarez (1), assisted by Angel Martinez (1)

84’ (POR): Tate Richards

93’: Anton Hjallmarson (2), assisted by Emmet Layman (1)

Starting 11:

Stockton Short, Tanner Dutra, Beto Apolinar, Zach Ramsey, Luke Hammond, Elliot Spatz, Angel Martinez. Alex Notzka, Juan Alvarez, Omar Grey, Sean Sent

Subs used:

Anton Hjalmarsson, Emmett Layman, Dunes Nielsen, Cianole Nguepissi

Written by Adam Race