Ballard FC's inaugural season is in the books! They finished strong by placing second in the USL League Two Northwest Division with a record of 8-2-2 and advancing all the way to the Conference Finals, where they lost a close match to Ventura County Fusion SC this past Friday.

During this first season, Ballard FC won a lot of games and scored a lot of goals, but what is truly unique about this new team is the aspect of community that has flourished among the fans, players, coaches, local businesses and youth soccer players in the Ballard neighborhood.

“I can’t say enough good things about this team, this community or this local experience! Interbay Stadium is just the right size. Plus beer garden, food truck, friends, sunshine and SOCCER!” - Saffa Bardaro, longtime Ballard resident

This summer’s Ballard FC match days were truly a local experience - in every aspect. The team's roster included many collegiate players with local roots, as well as rising youth talent from around Seattle. Partners and sponsors were all local, with main sponsor Reuben's Brews being a staple of the Ballard neighborhood since 2012. The scene at the stadium was one of packed bleachers and standing-room only. The family-friendly environment was consistently buzzing with energy, support and pride for their neighborhood soccer team.

“Having Ballard FC in the neighborhood has created a unique atmosphere for our youth players and families. The kids have an opportunity to hang out with their friends, run around, watch some soccer, and cheer for the home team. It is a safe, fun, social space for families. The space is personal enough that you can find old friends and meet new friends.” - Andrew Westmark, Ballard Youth Soccer Executive Director

Ballard Youth Soccer + Ballard FC

As expected, the positive energy surrounding this hyper-local soccer team has favorably impacted the youth soccer scene. Ballard FC partnered with Ballard Youth Soccer (one of SYSA’s recreational clubs) and brought them into the fold right away. Youth soccer players from Ballard were included in game-day activities throughout the season and given opportunities to work with the players, including Ballard FC’s local youth camp running this August (which is completely full).

Ballard Youth Soccer Club players march with Ballard FC in the ‘17th of May’ Norwegian Day parade this year.

Ballard FC has given local youth soccer players the positive experience of seeing an entire community unite over their shared love of soccer. As a young soccer player, when this is happening right in your own backyard, you can’t help but be inspired and fall in love with the game.

Ballard FC on ‘Community’

We talked with Sam Zisette, Co-Founder & GM and Ballard High School graduate, class of 2012, about the community aspect of Ballard FC. Here's what he had to say:

SYSA - Has it made the inaugural season experience of Ballard FC better to have such great support from the community at large right from the start?

"Absolutely! The community support is what Ballard FC is all about. We wanted to provide an outlet for the community to celebrate Ballard and soccer and we are so excited about how much the community has embraced it."

SYSA - What is the team’s current partnership with Ballard Youth Soccer and do you see it continuing/growing in the future?

"Ballard Youth Soccer is an awesome partner. On our Ballard Youth Soccer themed match this season we hosted a free clinic on the field with our players and coaches. We also had Ballard Youth Soccer players walk out with Ballard FC players and be ball kids for multiple matches! We are excited to find more ways to grow the partnership so we can provide high quality and affordable youth soccer opportunities for the community."

SYSA - What are the benefits of having such a strong neighborhood soccer community like this? To Ballard FC? To Ballard Youth Soccer?

"Ballard truly is a soccer loving neighborhood in the heart of a soccer loving city! It's so special for our players to be able to play in front of the passionate fans at Interbay Stadium as it gives them so much to play for and take pride in. For the youth it is amazing for them to be able to come to Ballard FC games and dream of playing for Ballard FC one day and representing their community on the pitch. We hope that in just a few years we can see kids who grew up going to Ballard FC"

Onward!

Ballard FC has done an amazing job in creating a true environment of community soccer in and around the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Community soccer is what we are all about here at Seattle Youth Soccer Association and we love seeing the pride, passion and support that Ballard FC has been able to cultivate in such a short time.

Congrats Ballard FC on a strong inaugural season, both on the field and off! Can’t wait for next year!