By Charles Hamaker

Interbay, WA - There would be no shocking result late into the season between Salmon Bay FC and Tacoma Galaxy this year, after a dramatic draw in 2025 played a major role in Salmon Bay falling just short of the Northwest Division title. This season, Salmon Bay ensured that their path to a playoff spot remained within their control by dispatching the Galaxy with a 3-0 victory on their home turf at Interbay Stadium. A brace from Samiah Shell led the way for the Coho, who were bolstered by a surprise addition on the backline in NWSL legend Lu Barnes.

Seattle Reign FC and NWSL legend, and co-owner of Salmon Bay FC, Lu Barnes, suited up for the club in their 3-0 win over the Tacoma Galaxy. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)

Slammin’ first half for Salmon Bay

The urgency needed for a “must-win” match was evident from Salmon Bay FC early and often in the first 45 minutes of this contest at Interbay Stadium, with the first warning shot coming in the 5th minute.

A cross into the center of the Tacoma box found two Salmon Bay players, but neither was able to rip a clean shot on goal on one touch. Ameera Hussen had controlled the ball around the penalty spot, but didn’t have a clear lane to shoot and instead slipped it slightly ahead for U’i Kaaihue, who couldn’t get enough power behind her attempt to truly challenge Galaxy keeper Rachael Remnet.

The second warning shot came in the 9th minute, as the Salmon Bay midfield put a chokehold on the beginning of a Galaxy attack, flipping the field in their own favor. Samiah Shell was fed a through ball along the right side of the field and carried it from the midfield line to just outside the box, cutting in and rifling a strong left-footed shot that had just a bit too much power behind it as it sailed over the goal.

Tacoma was able to dodge the first two warning shots from the home side, but they wouldn’t be so lucky the third time around. A Rachael Remnet goal kick couldn’t find a Galaxy teammate, and Lu Barnes was able to redirect it from her defensive half to her teammates on the attack.

Morgan Manalili received the pass from Barnes and carried the ball into the final third, where the buildup continued from Kaaihue across the field to Eleanor Morrissey. Morrissey fed the ball through a pair of Tacoma defenders for Hussen, who directed a one-touch pass to her left, where Shell had been left all alone on the right side of the field. Alone on goal, Shell slotted a left-footed shot just under Remnet to put Salmon Bay on the board in the 19th minute.

Salmon Bay FC forward Samiah Shell scored a left-footed goal in the 20th minute during the team’s 3-0 victory over the Tacoma Galaxy at Interbay Stadium on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)

Shell was eager to get a brace in the first half, as she had another attempt on goal that required a leaping, punching save. Remnet and the Galaxy were trying to build out from the back off a goal kick, but pressure from Hussen forced a hurried pass that Shell intercepted. Looking to jump on the mistake swiftly, Shell fired off a left-footed shot that required a leaping effort from Remnet, pushing the ball over the crossbar and out for a Salmon Bay corner.

Hussen continued to do the hard work for Salmon Bay, receiving the ball around the penalty area shortly off that aforementioned corner. Hussen, a University of Washington alum, created enough space to potentially get a shot on goal in an opportune position. Galaxy defender Angelique Ikeda fouled Hussen before a shot could be taken, giving the home side a penalty kick.

Midfielder Eleanor Morrissey stepped up to the spot, powering a right-footed attempt past the leaping effort of Remnet for the second Salmon Bay goal of the first half.

Salmon Bay FC forward Ameera Hussen drew a penalty in the 31st minute, which was scored by Eleanor Morrissey in the team’s 3-0 victory over the Tacoma Galaxy at Interbay Stadium on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)

Shell seals it

The match was in control for the home side, but with the old adage about a two-goal lead in soccer, Salmon Bay wasn’t satisfied with just putting it into cruise control for the entire second half. Pair that with the fact that Salmon Bay had created more dangerous opportunities than just the two goals that they’d actually converted, and it was clear that the Coho weren’t ready to settle for the current advantage.

Unlike their opponent in this match, Salmon Bay successfully built from the back. Elena Milam threw the ball over to Anna Menti, who found Lauder Headrick (Subbed on for Kaaihue at halftime), driving the ball through the Tacoma midfield like a Salmon swimming upstream. Headrick found Morgan Manalili, who had been left all alone on the right wing, but the pass required a sliding stop to keep it in bounds along the endline. Manalili had enough time to make the save, get back up, and play one touch with Aliyah Dockter.

Once back in control of the ball, Manalili sent a left-footed cross to the far post, where a Galaxy player was unable to control it before Eleanor Morrissey was able to jump on it. Morrissey found Shell, who finally earned her brace with a right-footed blast nestling into the top right corner, giving Salmon Bay a three-goal advantage in the 63rd minute.

With a third goal bagged and with reinforcements like Ginny Lackey on to help put the match away, Salmon Bay saw the rest of the match out and earned their second 3-0 victory over Tacoma Galaxy this season. They’d taken care of business as needed, winning this match to set up the critical Sunday showdown against Snohomish United.

Artist Victor Meléndez is seen wearing the kit and scarf he designed for Ballard FC and Salmon Bay FC during the teams' doubleheader at Interbay Stadium on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)

Quick notes from this match

This match was Salmon Bay FC’s artist match, with this year’s kit being designed by Victor Meléndez.
Samiah Shell netted a brace in this match, regaining her place as the top goal scorer in Salmon Bay FC history.
- She passed current teammate Ginny Lackey, who replaced her in the 64th minute as a substitute.
Salmon Bay’s backline got a boost with NWSL legend and former Seattle Reign FC captain Lu Barnes suiting up tonight.
- Barnes joined Alicia Barker (Represented the Philippines on the 2023 FIFA World Cup roster) and Maya Loudd (Appeared in 20 of 21 matches for a University of Washington team that won the Big Ten double and advanced to the Elite Eight) on the backline, giving Salmon Bay a very experienced defense in this contest.
- Barnes played the first 34 minutes of this match before being subbed off for Jourdyn Curran, who has played for the Philippines Women’s National Team.
Salmon Bay FC held the Tacoma Galaxy without a shot, shot on goal, or corner kick in the first half of this match.
- Tacoma Galaxy recorded their first shot of the match, not on target, in the 57th minute.
  - Their first shot on goal came in the 62nd minute
Ballard FC legend Christian Engmann was in attendance at this match.
- Engmann signed a professional contract with USL League One side Chattanooga Red Wolves SC back on May 26th.

Salmon Bay FC players celebrate with the crowd at Interbay Stadium after their 3-0 victory over the Tacoma Galaxy on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)

What’s next?

Salmon Bay FC will remain home for their regular season finale, a win-and-you’re-in match against Snohomish United. That massive Northwest Division title-deciding match comes on Sunday, June 28th, at Interbay Stadium, with a 2 PM PDT kickoff. Snohomish United currently sits sixth in the USL W League national power rankings after not being ranked last week, soaring into the top ten following two convincing victories.

Snohomish United hasn’t lost since mid-May (May 17th against West Seattle), and was on a six-match winning streak before their back-and-forth draw against Salmon Bay three days ago. Since a thumping win over Bigfoot FC on May 30th, Salmon Bay has grinded out some victories and has played to a few entertaining draws to lead them to this point. The two sides had a thrilling tennis-match-esque game just a few days ago, and Sunday’s meeting seems to be another must-watch contest.

For the Tacoma Galaxy, they’ll close out their 2026 campaign against the West Seattle Rhodies. The Galaxy will battle against last year’s Northwest Division champions, who will likely fail to defend their title unless Salmon Bay and Snohomish United draw on the same day, with a 12 PM PDT kickoff time at Bellarmine Memorial Stadium.

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Instagram: @CirclingSeattleSports Twitter: @CirclingSports Threads: @CirclingSeattleSports Tiktok: @CirclingSeattleSports Facebook: Circling Seattle Sports BlueSky: @circlingseasports.bsky.social 〰️

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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 Garduqu e here, and his portfoli o here.
Check out previous articles written by Charles Hamaker h ere.

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