Salmon Bay FC captured the 2026 USL W League championship Sunday, defeating Vermont Green FC in a penalty shootout after the teams finished tied 1-1 through regulation and extra time. It marks the club’s first league title in just its second season.
The championship match at Interbay Stadium remained scoreless through the first half, with both teams creating scoring opportunities but unable to find the back of the net. Vermont Green had a goal disallowed for offside late in the opening half, while Salmon Bay goalkeeper Elena Milam kept the match level with a save on a dangerous free kick in the 28th minute.
After a series of substitutions around the 60-minute mark, Salmon Bay took control of the match. Morgan Manalili, who entered as a substitute, scored from 20 yards out in the 78th minute to give the home side a 1-0 lead. U’i Kaaihue, who assisted on the goal, nearly doubled the advantage moments later when her shot struck the crossbar.
Vermont Green forced extra time in second-half stoppage time when Louisa Thomsen scored following a corner kick in the 93rd minute, sending the championship match to an additional 30 minutes. Neither team scored in extra time, despite Salmon Bay creating a late counterattacking opportunity, and the title was decided in a penalty shootout.
Vermont converted the opening penalty before Kaaihue equalized for Salmon Bay. Milam then saved Vermont’s second attempt, but Salmon Bay was unable to capitalize as Maya Courtenay’s penalty was stopped. The teams remained even through five rounds before Vermont’s Anne Gnidula sent her sixth-round attempt over the crossbar. Seventeen-year-old defender Kaya Singh then converted the deciding penalty to secure the championship for Salmon Bay.
Kaaihue, who recorded an assist, converted her penalty kick and finished the season with six goals and four assists, was named the championship match’s Most Valuable Player.
According to the club, the match drew a record crowd of 2,096 at Interbay Stadium. Salmon Bay allowed just two goals during its five-match playoff run, both from set pieces, and won three consecutive postseason matches in penalty shootouts. The championship also makes Salmon Bay FC and Ballard FC the only affiliated clubs to win both the USL W League and USL League Two titles.