For Ballard FC, Saturday afternoon’s game against Lane United FC was an opportunity
for the side to bolster their playoff chances. Unfortunately, the opportunity was not
seized, and the team fell 1-0 at Memorial Stadium.
Prior to Saturday’s contest, Ballard FC had played to a surprising 2-2 draw at home
against Capital FC Atletico. Such result gave Saturday’s match that much more
importance. The room for error towards getting that coveted first place in the division
grew a smaller as United PDX now were tied with Ballard FC in both points and points
per game (PPG).
At around the match’s kickoff, the temperature would hover around the high eighties in
degrees Fahrenheit. Given that the match would be played on artificial turf, the field
conditions provided tough game conditions for both sides. This did not stop seventh-
ranked Lane United FC from getting an enormous result on the road against arguably
the best team in the USL 2 Northwest division.
The first half was in Ballard FC’s control. The team was making great passes, solid runs
and chances were being created. All that was missing was that final touch that would
give them the lead. Ballard FC manager James Riley said after the game, “First and
fully, the boys deserve a lot of credit. They have been dedicated all summer. They have
come in and done their bit. Sometimes, soccer is that way. I thought we controlled the
flow of the game [and we] dictated the game.”
Blake Dahlin / Ballard FC
Ballard FC’s control of the match did not equal success as Lane United FC eventually
found their breakthrough in the 42 nd minute. Lane United FC forward Ede Gramberg
made a great run into the box and as he began to collect the ball into his possession,
Ballard FC goalkeeper Charlie Lanphier committed a foul inside the penalty box. The
referee pointed to the spot and sure enough, Lane United FC had a great chance to
take the lead. Midfielder Tate Richards stepped up and decisively put the ball into the
back of the net from the penalty spot.
The story remained the same in the second half. Ballard FC continued to dominate but
the equalizer was never found. The chances were all there but much to dismay of the
team, there was nothing to show for it. Ballard FC central defender and team captain
Christian Engmann was a player worth noting in this match. Engmann produced solid
chances for his team. Specifically, there was a chance in the 16 th minute when, off a
corner, Engmann rose up above all others at the back post and headed the ball right at
the goalkeeper. It was a great chance created by Engmann.
When asked on what the team can improve on for the rest of the season, Engmann stated, “Set pieces, myself included. We have to be more lethal. I think we had a lot of chances. We left a lot of chances on the table. [We have to be] more clinical and more decisive in the box.”
Despite the unfortunate result, Ballard FC can come away with a positive note that they
can still dominate the shape and pace of the game. Unluckily for them, the finishing
touch was not obtained on Saturday afternoon. For them, upcoming training will have to
focus on how to break teams’ deep bunker when Ballard FC has extended possession.
Blake Dahlin / Ballard FC
Coach Riley said, “I think we will work on…. how to better put our team in positions to
strategize around a low block. It’s not like we got outplayed. It’s not like we got
outbattled. It’s not like they created more chances than us. Sometimes that is the game
of football.” With the battle for a playoff spot in the direct horizon, figuring out how to
break through teams sitting deep will have to prioritized for Ballard FC.
Still, Coach Riley remained positive regarding his team and the Ballard FC faithful, “We
are very ecstatic, appreciative, and grateful for the fanbase and the support in the club. I
am deeply grateful for my staff, the club, and these players. It has been a phenomenal
journey, and we want to continue it. [The] last two games of the regular season [are] in
our destiny.”
Up next for Ballard FC is a pivotal match against United PDX who are also vying for the
top spot in the USL 2 Northwest Division. The match will be on Friday, July 12 th at
7:00pm at Memorial Stadium.
Cover Photo: Blake Dahlin / Ballard FC
