There’s just been something in the air at Interbay Stadium this weekend, and the final match of the marathon proved to be another instant classic.
The match featured seven goals, two deflections, three go-ahead goals and three equalizers.
Joschi Schelb continued his ridiculous form, scoring a brace, while attacking play from Juan Alvarez and Etienne Veillard forced a pair of late deflected goals to secure the 4-3 win.
Ballard FC will face off with Ventura County Fusion in the Western Conference final for the fourth time in five years on Friday.
At the beginning of the match the visitors looked comfortable and confident, controlling the midfield and applying more pressure than Ballard.
It would be the hosts however who would strike first, as in the 34th minute Joschi Schelb would link up with Elliot Spatz in the box, with Spatz’s shot being blocked right to the feet of Schelb who would slam in the icebreaker.
Colorado would respond quickly, as a 36th minute corner kick led to a scramble in the box which was swept home by Tobi Osifodunrin.
The teams went to the break on even terms, but Colorado were clearly the happier of the two.
Ballard continued to search for control in the second half, but would receive another setback via corner kick in the 60th. This time it was Johan Murillo who rose above the crowd to head it in and give Colorado their first lead of the game.
Ballard FC were in search of a lifeline, and would receive it from the captain Andrew Myerson. In the 68th minute Myerson was fouled in the box following a set piece and the ensuing penalty was dispatched by who else but Joschi Schelb, 2-2.
Soon after in the 71st Ballard would create some chaos of their own, as a vicious centered free kick from Juan Alvarez struck a Colorado defender and trickled in via the near-post to regain the lead for the Bridges.
The game from that point on would remain too open for comfort, and Colorado would punish by delivering a gut-punch equalizer via Blaise Richard. Richard controlled a ball off his chest and fired home a powerful strike from the top of the box in the first minute of stoppage time.
As soon as the ball was kicked back off, Ballard would fly down the wing with Etienne Veillard, and Veillard’s cross struck a Storm player before deflecting in for an own-goal, and yet another night of late dramatics.
Match Facts:
- Ballard FC have now made the conference final four out of the last five years, and are 4-0 in conference semi-finals.
- Ballard FC remained a perfect 9-0-0 at Interbay Stadium.
- Despite conceding as many goals as the club had all season at home, they provided their third comeback win of the season.
- This is the first game of 2026 in which Ballard FC had three different go-ahead goals.
- Joschi Schelb has scored in five consecutive Interbay Stadium matches, and has tied himself with Anton Hjalmarsson on eight goals.
- Between Salmon Bay and Ballard FC, the organization has combined to go an incredible 17-0-1 at home.
Scoring Recap
34’ (BFC): Joschi Schelb (7), unassisted
36’ (COL): Tobi Osifodunrin
60’ (COL): Johan Murillo
68’ (BFC): Joschi Schelb (8), penalty
71’ (BFC): Juan Alvarez (5), free kick
90’ (COL): Blaise Richard
90’+2 (BFC): Own-goal
Starting 11:
Andrew Myerson, Tanner Dutra, Noah Newman, Jack-Ryan Jeremiah, Joschi Schelb, Elliot Spatz, Ray Mendez, Isaac Ketcham, Cianole Nguepissi, Alex Villanueva, Omar Grey
Subs Used:
Anton Hjalmarsson, Luke Hammond, Juan Alvarez, Etienne Veillard, Sean Sent, Michael Divano
Written by Adam Race
