Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Mekelle, Ethiopia
Height: 6-0
Abeselom Zemenfes is a first-year player for Ballard FC. Before coming to Seattle, he played in the Ethiopian Premier League with Saint George SC and won a league title in the 2022-23 season. Unfortunately due to the country’s Civil War, Zemenfes had to flee Ethiopia and came to the United States, specifically Seattle. He found Ballard FC through Open Tryouts where he impressed and made the final roster. Zemenfes joins Kaydin Wall as the second player on the 2025 roster to make the team from Open Tryouts. After an impressive summer with Ballard FC, Zemenfes joined Western Oregon University as freshman ahead of the 2025 fall season. He continued to star in midfield in NCAA soccer just as he did in USL 2, earning Second Team All-GNAC honors for the GNAC Regular Season Co-Champions and GNAC Tournament Champions.
With Ballard FC: After joining the 2025 roster from Open Tryouts, Zemenfes became star for Ballard FC. He led the team in appearances (18), starts (17), and minutes (1,495) on his way to earning USL League Two Northwest Division Player of the Year and Western Conference Player of the Year honors.
