Ballard FC are 2025 Western Conference champions

Ballard FC took on Ventura County Fusion at Interbay Stadium and for a second consecutive game claimed a 2-1 victory, this time securing hardware alongside the win and moving one step away from a spot in the USL2 National Championship game.

Ballard FC was the much more impressive team in the first half of play, controlling the tempo and creating far more dangerous chances. They focused on quickly advancing the ball through midfield to the wingers to attack the prime assist zones. This quick play was also controlled as they rarely left themselves open on the counter with disciplined positioning from the central midfield and central defense.

This good play culminated in the 30th minute when Ballard took the lead. Combination play on the left side of the box between Aman and Otero saw a cross roll to Dale who put a powerful shot off the crossbar. However, after the ball stayed alive he finished the job by battling to slot the ball in the bottom left corner of the net.

In the 47th minute Aman was involved again, receiving the ball on the left touchline and sending a pinpoint through ball to Kosakoff. The striker was able to beat the onrushing keeper and poke the ball through to trickle in off the right post. The pressure was maintained with the same playbook as the first half, utilizing the wingers to create dangerous opportunities from out wide.

Ventura County finally started to get more momentum in the game as they made substitutions and pushed forward more aggressively to try and reduce the deficit. This was mostly dealt with comfortably by Ballard until the 95th minute when right back sub Brisco was beaten, allowing a free cross into the box which was slotted in the near post by the Ventura striker.

Ultimately it was too little, too late by Ventura with Ballard holding out until the final whistle.

Ballard FC now moves on to the USL League 2 semifinals, where they will take on the Flint City Bucks on Sunday at 5:30 PM at Interbay Stadium. The winner will go to the USL2 National Championship game.