Salmon Bay FC Signs Head Coach Malia Arrant to Contract Extension, Returns for 2027
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - Coming off the clubs’ USL W League National Title on their home turf at Interbay Stadium in just their second season, Salmon Bay FC have announced a contract extension for head coach Malia Arrant, meaning that she’ll return for the 2027 campaign. After coming up narrowly short of a playoff berth in the inaugural season of the club in 2025, Arrant led Salmon Bay to a remarkable second season as they claimed several firsts on their way to the National Title.
“It was incredible to play in front of such a passionate fan base all season long, and the crowd for the National Final was special. The entire coaching staff is working hard to make sure that the fans are rewarded with more championship-caliber soccer next May.”
Salmon Bay FC players and coaches celebrate their 2026 USL W League National Title Final victory over Vermont Green FC at Interbay Stadium. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
Everyone involved at Salmon Bay was frustrated with how the inaugural season ended, barely missing out on the Northwest Division’s lone playoff berth that went to West Seattle Rhodies FC despite having the best defense in the nation, but determined to ensure that wasn’t going to happen again. Arrant led the group to their first playoff berth, first Northwest Division Title, and first Western Conference Title on their way to winning the National Title in their home building of Interbay Stadium. For her efforts and the accomplishments her team achieved, Malia was named the 2026 USL W League Western Conference Coach of the Year, and now she’ll look to defend that title while the club looks to defend its crown.
Arrant arrived to take the top job with the “Salmon Sisters” ahead of the 2025 season, bringing over 25 years of local soccer experience as a player, coach, and club director. Her work in the soccer community spans beyond just this coaching role on Interbay, serving as the CEO of PacNW, working with and coaching some of the top talent that calls the greater Seattle area home. Similar to her work with the players who wear the Salmon Bay crest, Arrant’s work with PacNW sees her help in the development and coaching of players who go on to play at the top collegiate programs in the nation and eventually sign professional contracts. In a full-circle moment, several PacNW alums have come through the halls of Interbay Stadium to play for Arrant at Salmon Bay over the last two years, with several of them helping the club achieve National Title glory.
Salmon Bay FC head coach Malia Arrant, pictured alongside her coaching staff, at Interbay Stadium. (Photos by Liz Wolter for Circling Seattle Sports).
That development that’s taken players to greater heights from PacNW has continued into her time at Salmon Bay, with nine players from the club signing professional contracts or representing their National Team since the inaugural 2025 season. Notably, two players have signed short-term contracts locally with Seattle Reign FC this season, becoming the first alumni in Salmon Bay FC history to sign NWSL contracts. With the high level of talent that’s passed through Interbay Stadium, it’s clear that the number of players coached by Arrant who have reached the pro ranks will only grow in the near future.
Salmon Bay FC and Ballard High School alum Elena Milam during her short-term contract with Seattle Reign FC at Lumen Field. (Photos by Bodi Hallett for Circling Seattle Sports)
The 2027 campaign is set to be another thrilling one with high expectations for the Salmon Sisters. The club reports that they’ve already got more season ticket holders for 2027 than they did for all of the 2026 season, coming off being named the USL W League’s 2026 Western Conference Organization of the Year and seven months out from next season. Both Salmon Bay FC and Ballard FC have reached 1,000 season ticket holders across both of the clubs for this next season, which is something that’s now been achieved six months earlier than the offseason before the 2026 campaign.
Boasting impressive support numbers, Arrant’s stout all-time record across all competitions for Salmon Bay (20-2-5), and a National Title to defend, the Salmon Sisters once again will be a must-watch activity for folks who can make it down to Interbay Stadium. Not only does Salmon Bay (And Ballard FC) boast strong entertainment and experience off the field, but the performance on the field has been elite, making matches at Interbay during the summer a must for any soccer fan or sports fan in the greater Seattle area.
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Check out our previous CSS Futures articles here.
Check out our previous Salmon Bay FC articles here.
Check out our previous articles with photos by Bryant Garduque here, and his portfolio here.
Check out previous articles written by Charles Hamaker here.
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