Bellevue Athletic and SeaGam FC Set to Meet in Possible Title-Decider

Written By Adam Race

Bellevue’s matchup with SeaGam on Sunday is perhaps the biggest and most anticipated game of the season in UPSL-Washington. BAFC are set to host SeaGam in a rematch of matchweek two’s 3-2 thriller, which SeaGam won in Shoreline. The match could prove to be the difference in a very tight race for the regular-season title. 

If Bellevue wins, they will have all but clinched the regular season title, with the only remaining hurdle being a match against a winless and bottom-of-the-table Thurston County team that the Eastside Boys thrashed 21-2 in their season opener.

For SeaGam, their hopes of taking the one-seed hang in the balance. Following just their second loss of the season last week against 3 Cities, SeaGam will need at least a draw to give themselves a chance at finishing in the top two places, and a win to give themselves a shot at the regular season title in the final matchweek.

SeaGam remains the only team to have beaten Bellevue this season, and BAFC are currently riding high on a five-game winning streak during which they have outscored opponents 15-3 and kept two clean sheets. 

SeaGam just saw their season-high winning streak of six snapped last week in a 1-0 home loss to fellow one-seed contenders 3 Cities, which was also their first time being shut out in 2025. Before they lost last week in Shoreline, SeaGam had averaged four goals per game in UPSL play, only being held below three on one occasion, during a 2-0 shutout road win over Everett Jets.

Both teams clinched their spot in the postseason last week, but everything is still to play for this Sunday at Bellevue College. BAFC players and staff understand the importance of the match.

Bellevue Head Coach Mike Mata has used the early-season loss to SeaGam as a milestone for the club to learn from, and his squad has responded in turn, going undefeated in six games since then. “I think we have grown so much since that game,” said Mata. 

Bellevue’s loss against SeaGam came in the club’s first home UPSL game, but now BAFC gets to face SeaGam on the Eastside, where they have been undefeated over their last 12 matches. “It’s difficult to play Bellevue Athletic in Bellevue”, said Mata. “We are undefeated there for over a year. The field’s bigger, and we are preparing for this match very seriously. Hopefully it’ll help us win the game and win the league.”

Kenny Mansally, Bellevue’s current leading goal contributor and ex-Gambian international, knows that this is shaping up to be the toughest and most important match of the year. “I think they are going to be prepared very well,” said Mansally. “This is a home game for us, and they are going to feel it. We are going to carry this winning mentality into the game, and SeaGam better be ready.”

The game will be played at 5 PM Sunday, June 8th at Bellevue College, and will also be available to watch on the Bellevue YouTube Channel with commentary from Adam Race and Bellevue Athletic’s all-time leading goalscorer, Jacen Stein. 

SeaGam FC: A dream of a debut season

When SeaGam FC made the step up to the UPSL at the beginning of the 2025 Spring Season, sentiment around the league was simple: It was about time. After being a force in the local amateur circuit for over 20 years, Seattle Gambia FC came into their inaugural UPSL season with hopes of title contention, and have lived up to those lofty expectations. 

After dropping their first game of the season, 3-2 against fellow title-contenders Seattle Eagles FC, SeaGam faced off with Bellevue Athletic in their first-ever UPSL home game. Despite going down 2-0 in the first half, the hosts rallied behind a passionate crowd and scored three unanswered goals, defeating the defending champs 3-2 for their first-ever UPSL victory. 

Former SeaGam player and current member of management Ebou Cham says that this emphatic result was a major step for the team and a spark for the rest of the season. “Getting our first-ever UPSL-win against the defending champs a week after they won their opening game by over 20 goals gave us belief that we belong and that we can compete in this league.”

SeaGam would carry that belief through the rest of their season, as the result kicked off a six-game UPSL winning streak. SeaGam defeated United Sports, Gala, Everett, Snohomish, and Thurston as they maintained the top spot in the UPSL for the majority of the season. Over this winning streak, SeaGam mounted several come-from-behind results, averaging over four goals per game and playing some of the most exciting soccer in the league. “The club can be very emotional on the field, but that spirit has carried SeaGam through adversity,” said founding member Ismaila Tunkara. 

SeaGam finally had their streak broken last week, dropping only their second match of the season in a close 1-0 home loss against playoff-bound 3 Cities FC. “Overall, we played really well in that game,” said Ebou Cham. “A momentary lapse cost us the match. We also played without three or four of our regular starters who were injured, including our starting goalkeeper Ebou Barrow.” Barrow has had some massive performances in net this year for SeaGam, including key saves against Bellevue earlier this season. “With some of the injured players returning to the fold, we hope to have a better approach against Bellevue,” said Cham.

SeaGam have played in front of one of the best Atmospheres in UPSL-Washington this season, representing the Gambian Community in Seattle, and bringing a high-energy environment at their home games in Shoreline. They will look to return home next week with a shot at winning the title, but need a win in Bellevue to keep those hopes alive. “The sense of community is our inspiration,” said Ismaila Tunkara. “It is what we use to strengthen our bond on and off the pitch. It is what gives us that fighting spirit. We believe bringing the community to the pitch keeps everyone engaged and out of trouble, while motivating them to dream bigger in life. This culture of togetherness has been crucial in our success.

The Last Time Around: SeaGam 3, Bellevue 2

When Bellevue last faced Seagame, the Eastside Boys were riding a 15-game undefeated streak and coming off a 21-2 season-opening win over Thurston County. BAFC had established themselves as the dominant force in the division, winning back-to-back state and regional titles in 2024. But 2025 UPSL debutantes SeaGam were able to slay the giant in their first-ever home match. 

Bellevue Head Coach Mike Mata said in the run-up to that match: “We know they could be direct rivals in the fight for the title.” He was absolutely correct, and the hosts were able to prove why.

Bellevue got off to a great start in the match, jumping into a 1-0 lead after just 60 seconds when Jacen Stein played a perfectly weighted through-ball to Jackson Finn, who slotted it between the legs of SeaGam Goalkeeper Ebou Barrow. It was reminiscent of the performance Bellevue had opened their season with, scoring early and often.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Kaydin Wall played a ball over the top for Stein, who found a yard of space in the box between three SeaGam defenders, just enough room to turn towards goal and drive the ball into the far bottom corner for an excellent finish.

SeaGam would battle back though, something they made a habit of in 2025. In the 28th minute, the high press from SeaGam forced a Bellevue giveaway in the defensive third, leading to a 2-on-1 opportunity, which was calmly taken by Badou Ngum to make it 2-1. 

The teams went into halftime at 2-1, but the momentum had been firmly shifted by the hosts. The second half started with SeaGam looking dangerous going forward, especially down the left wing through the creative attacking play of Babucarr Cham. Matt Janke was forced to make several impressive saves for Bellevue to maintain the lead, but couldn’t hold off SeaGam forever. 

In the 57th minute, SeaGam found their equalizer when a bouncing ball across the box found the left foot of Lamin Dampha, who sent a rocket into the far corner of the net, nestling itself under the bar and just beyond the reach of Janke to make it 2-2.

SeaGam would continue to knock on the door, with a loud and energetic crowd getting behind the hosts. Bellevue would fight to keep it 2-2 through more Janke saves and a Liam Raney goal-line clearance, but SeaGam would not be denied their go-ahead goal. In the 79th minute, substitute Chukwudi Nwokoye found himself on the end of a through ball and one-on-one with Janke, who, despite getting a paw on the shot, was unable to deny a tidy finish, sending the home crowd into hysterics as SeaGam made it 3-2. 

Eight minutes of added time gave Bellevue hope as they sent as many as seven men up to their front line. Despite a flurry of late attempts, Bellevue were unable to register a convincing shot on goal as SeaGam held on to pick up their first UPSL victory and hand Bellevue their first regular-season UPSL loss since the final matchday of the Spring 2024 season.

“In the second half they (SeaGam) did a lot better, and they deserved that goal. We could have done better in controlling and managing the game,” said Bellevue assistant Dawda Dibba post-match.  “It’s a good lesson for us, you can’t take your foot off the gas when you go 2-0 up, especially against a good team like that.”

Bellevue Head Coach Mike Mata has had a focus since the loss on player mentality, making sure his squad can go out and play a Bellevue brand of soccer. Mata’s Eastside Boys will look to do just that this Sunday at home, with a chance to claim the one-seed in the playoffs. 

For SeaGam, the win was a big moment in club history, and they hope to recreate the feat on a field that has been a fortress for Bellevue over the last few seasons. “This has been a great experience for the team and for the community,” said Team Manager Ibrahim Drammeh. “SeaGam is committed to fighting for the title until the very end.”

Bellevue Athletic 2025 UPSL Stats 

Individual: Outfield

Individual: Goalkeeping

Team: Overall

UPSL Washington Standings/Schedule

Playoff Qualification Zone

E = Eliminated

X = Playoffs clinched

How To Follow

Fans can follow Bellevue Athletic online at bellevueathletic.com and via social media on Instagram (@bellevueathletic), Facebook (@bellevueathletic), and YouTube (@bellevueathletic).