Ballard FC got the last laugh against in-city rivals West Seattle Junction Sunday night on the West Side. Despite conceding first for just the second time this season, Ballard got second-half goals from Anton Hjalmarsson and Sean Sent to take all three points and keep pace with division leaders Snohomish United.
Ballard started the match off on the front foot, with an early shot from Jordy Dierks curling wide of the net to set the tone.
An 18th-minute Ballard FC free-kick was in prime range for Zach Ramsey, just two games after scoring from a free kick against Portland, but the MLS superdraft first-rounder put his attempt over the crossbar.
Through the first 20 minutes, West Seattle was yet to record a shot, and Ballard was in the driver’s seat, but couldn’t find an opening goal.
The hosts eventually found their footing, getting some quality possession going forward, but still sustaining the bulk of the pressure.
Ramsey found himself in a yard of space on a corner kick to head an effort on goal in the 28th, but couldn’t direct away from West Seattle goalkeeper Lucas Martin, who then scrambled to deny a rebound shot from Hjalmarsson for an impressive double-save.
Martin once again was called into action to stop Hjalmarsson in the 35th, when the Swede intercepted a backpass behind the defense. Hjalmarsson tried to round Martin but had the ball swiped from under him at the top of the box.
West Seattle dispatched their first big chance of the match in the 41st minute, going route-one from Lucas Martin to Kirubel Yirga, who slotted in a through ball for Tai Iida, and the Seattle University Redhawk struck beyond Stockton Short to open the scoring.
Ballard had a golden chance to equalize in the 44th, with Anton Hjalmarsson again looking to pounce on a rebound and again being stopped by Lucas Martin, who stacked save on save through the first 45′ to keep Ballard off the board.
It took Ballard FC 20 minutes into the second half to find their breakthrough, and it was a well-deserved one for Hjalmarsson. Cameron Cruz had a shot blocked at the top of the box off a quick counterattack, the rebound fell to Hjalmarsson, who looped a delightful header over the top of Martin and into the back of the net to equalize.
The following 10 minutes would see an even split of chances, and the Junction certainly looked poised to retake their lead, but solid defensive work from the Ballard backline and Short kept the score level.
Tempers flared in the final 10 as the two rivals fought for all three points, no love lost between two teams that will meet again on Wednesday.
Ballard FC would find a late breakthrough to break Junction hearts at the stroke of 90 minutes. An Etienne Veillard cross found Cruz, who had his shot blocked once again conveniently into the path of a friendly jersey, and this time it was Sent on the spot to poke home the winner.
The Bridges saw out the match to complete their most dramatic win of the season, and their third in a row.
Ballard FC’s next match will be a rematch against the Junction as they host them at Interbay Stadium for Victor Meléndez Night at Interbay Stadium on Wednesday afternoon at 4pm. Get tickets!
Match Facts:
- The match featured Ballard’s first come-from-behind win of 2026, and their first stoppage-time winner as well
- Ballard is now 3-0-1 all-time against the Junction, dating back to the 2024 season
- Anton Hjalmarsson has scored in two straight matches since returning from injury and now has four goals on the campaign
- Although not registering an assist, Cameron Cruz shots set up both goals off deflections
- Ballard will rematch the junction this Wednesday at Interbay stadium, the second time the teams have met at the facility, with last year’s matchup ending in a 0-0 draw
Scoring Recap:
42’ (WSJ): Tai Iida
67’ (BFC): Anton Hjalmarsson (4), unassisted
91’ (BFC): Sean Sent (1), unassisted
Starting 11:
Stockton Short, Tanner Dutra, Anton Hjalmarsson, Zach Ramsey, Luke Hammond, Jordan Dierks, Ray Mendez, Angel Martinez, Cianole Nguepissi, Juan Alvarez, Sean Sent
Subs Used:
Beto Apolinar, Cameron Cruz, Dunes Nielsen, Etienne Veillard
Written by Adam Race
