Ballard FC is travelling to Michigan for the Western Conference final this weekend to fight for a spot in the USL League Two semifinals.
The Western Conference Championship is at 12 p.m. PST on Friday, July 24, in Flint, Michigan, where Ballard FC will face Ventura County Fusion. The winner will advance to the semifinals on Sunday, July 26.
Ballard FC has played Ventura three times already: They lost to Ventura in the 2022 conference final, but defeated them twice in 2023 and 2025.
Ballard enters the weekend after winning its fourth consecutive Northwest Division title with a 12-1-1 regular-season record. The club then advanced through the opening two rounds of the playoffs with victories over Utah United and Colorado Storm SC at Interbay Stadium.
The first-round matchup against Utah United ended in a penalty shootout after a dramatic finish that saw both teams score in second-half stoppage time. Goalkeeper Noah Newman made two saves in the shootout before Ray Mendez converted the winning penalty to send Ballard into the next round.
In the conference semifinal, Ballard defeated Colorado Storm SC 4-3 after Etienne Veillard’s cross found the back of the net less than a minute after Colorado equalized in second-half stoppage time.
Ventura County Fusion finished the regular season 8-0-4. The winner of Friday’s match will be up against the winner of the Central Conference Final, either Flint City Bucks or Peoria City.
Ballard’s playoff run comes less than a week after sister club Salmon Bay FC captured the USL W League championship at Interbay Stadium, winning the national title in a penalty shootout. During its playoff preview, Ballard FC noted the championship as part of a memorable weekend for soccer in Ballard, with the men’s team following the women’s title by advancing to the conference final the next day.
Fans can watch Friday’s match via Ballard FC’s livestream or attend the club’s watch party at Stoup Brewing’s Ballard taproom.
Photo: Ballard FC