For a second consecutive playoff match, Salmon Bay FC needed every minute available
After surviving 120 scoreless minutes and a penalty shootout against Colorado Storm in last week's Western Conference semifinal, the Coho once again found themselves staring at elimination before producing another remarkable comeback. Ui Kaaihue converted a late penalty to force extra time before goalkeeper Elena Milam and defender Anna Menti delivered in yet another dramatic shootout, sending Salmon Bay past previously unbeaten Minnesota Aurora FC and into the USL W National Championship.
The victory ends Minnesota's perfect 14–0 season and gives Salmon Bay the chance to play for a national title at home. The Coho will host undefeated Vermont Green FC at Interbay Stadium on Saturday, July 18.
It wasn't just the home supporters who helped create the atmosphere. Minnesota brought an impressive traveling contingent to Seattle, and the Aurora faithful made themselves heard throughout the evening. The back-and-forth between the two fan bases gave Interbay one of its best environments of the summer and made the semifinal feel every bit like a national event.
If there was any concern that the semifinal might lack the tension of Salmon Bay's previous playoff win, it disappeared after an opening half that showcased two of the league's best teams. Neither side found many clear opportunities, and for long stretches, possession swung back and forth without either club establishing control.
Minnesota's breakthrough came in one of the strangest moments of Salmon Bay's season.
In the 26th minute, a short pass found Anna Menti near her own goal. Menti appeared to believe the ball had crossed the end line for a goal kick and picked it up with her hands. The whistle came immediately, awarding Minnesota a penalty. Ai Kitagawa calmly converted from the spot to give Aurora a 1-0 lead despite Salmon Bay having largely matched the visitors through the opening half hour.
Rather than panic, Salmon Bay continued to dictate play, knowing the chances were there to be had.
Morgan Manalili repeatedly found dangerous spaces inside the penalty area, forcing Minnesota goalkeeper Taylor Fox into a series of difficult saves. The best chance came when Manalili met a cross with a diving header from close range, only to see Fox deny her. Minutes later, another point-blank header was turned away as Salmon Bay steadily tilted the match in their favor.
The pressure only increased after halftime.
Minnesota spent much of the second half pinned inside its own half as Salmon Bay controlled possession and searched for an equalizer. The visitors remained dangerous on the counter, and Elena Milam was called into action in the 55th minute with a crucial leg save to deny Flavie Dube after she broke in behind the defense.
Still, time continued to slip away.
Salmon Bay finally found its breakthrough in the 88th minute when Taylor Fox collided with Jourdyn Curran while challenging for a loose ball in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot, and Kaaihue confidently drove her penalty beyond Fox to level the match and send another Interbay crowd into celebration.
Minnesota nearly reclaimed the lead before regulation expired, but Milam came through again with an excellent save to send the match to extra time.
Aurora's task became even more difficult in the 103rd minute when Dube received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Kaya Singh, forcing Minnesota to play the remainder of extra time with 10 players. Salmon Bay controlled much of the final 30 minutes but couldn't find a winner despite several dangerous set pieces, sending the match to penalties for the second consecutive week.
Milam immediately handed Salmon Bay the advantage by tipping Olivia Albert's opening penalty onto the post before Kaaihue buried the Coho's first attempt.
The shootout, however, was far from straightforward.
Fox answered with a save of Rachel Reitz's penalty, and moments later Milam missed her own attempt in an unusual goalkeeper-versus-goalkeeper showdown. But the Salmon Bay goalkeeper recovered almost instantly, diving to save Angela Gutierrez's penalty and giving her teammates another chance.
After Ameera Hussen restored Salmon Bay's advantage, Fox stepped up to take Minnesota's fifth penalty. Her attempt sailed wide of the post, leaving the match on Anna Menti's foot.
It was a fitting moment.
Nearly two hours earlier, Menti's mistake had gifted Minnesota the opening goal. Now she had the opportunity to erase it. Her penalty slipped underneath Fox despite getting a touch from the goalkeeper, setting off another celebration at Interbay and completing Salmon Bay's latest improbable postseason victory.
The Coho are now one win away from the first national championship in club history. They'll host another unbeaten team, Vermont Green FC, on Saturday at Interbay Stadium with the USL W League title on the line.
Tickets are on sale for the national championship match at https://www.salmonbayfc.com/playoffs/
