2026 EPLWA Premier Championship Preview

Yakima United, Bellingham United Set for Winner-Take-All Final

The 2026 EPLWA Premier Championship will feature the league's top two clubs as Yakima United FC hosts Bellingham United FC on Saturday, July 25, at 6 p.m. at historic Marquette Stadium in Yakima.

After finishing tied atop the regular-season standings, the championship matchup is a fitting conclusion to one of the most competitive EPLWA seasons to date.

"It's the final that made sense, with us and Yakima finishing joint-highest on points," Bellingham United player-coach Rich Henderson said. "We were frustrated not to get to play them again during the regular season, so this is the final we wanted. Of course, at home would have been ideal, but this group likes the challenge and we'll play wherever. Turf or grass, it doesn't matter."

Yakima United Chasing Third Straight Championship

Yakima United enters Saturday's final looking to cement its place as the EPLWA's modern dynasty.

The club has reached the league semifinals in each of the past four seasons and advanced to the championship match for the fourth consecutive year after winning the previous two league titles.

"YUFC has advanced to the semifinals for the past four seasons and to the EPLWA Finals for the past three years, winning two of the three," General Manager Teressa Vega said. "We are looking to secure another final and possibly win our third EPLWA championship."

Vega said the league's growth has mirrored the success of clubs like Yakima.

"Overall, this season has stood out for its competitiveness and visibility, with the EPLWA proving it can produce high-level play, attract media attention and potentially serve as a bridge between grassroots and professional soccer," Vega said. "We've seen YUFC players move on to elite colleges, USL League Two and professional indoor leagues. Our local newspaper and television stations have taken notice, and our fan base continues to grow because of the league's competitiveness and visibility."

Road to the Championship

Yakima United Rallies in Semifinal

Yakima secured its championship berth with a 3-1 overtime comeback victory over Port Orchard FC.

After trailing 1-0 at halftime, Gonzalo Frausto equalized early in the second half off an assist from Juan Carlos Diaz-Acevedo before adding the go-ahead goal in overtime. Jose Botello sealed the victory with an insurance goal in the second overtime period.

"I'm pleased with how our guys played," Yakima coach Joshua Vega said. "We're very happy to get the win and have the chance to play in another championship game. We had a lot of chances early, and it was frustrating not to finish more of them, but we hung in there and got our reward."

Vega said the equalizer shifted the momentum.

"We just kept going, and the ball fell where we needed it to," he said. "It was like there was a deep breath, and we took over for the rest of the game."

Bellingham Cruises Into the Final

Bellingham United punched its ticket to the final with an emphatic 5-0 victory over WE SURF SC.

Alexander Koenig scored a hat trick, while Liam Schumacher and Muhammed Darboe each added second-half goals. Bellingham outshot WE SURF 15-2 and did not allow a shot after halftime.

"We are delighted to advance to the final again and in the style we did so," Henderson said. "Once we got more numbers into higher areas and accelerated our play after breaking their lines, we started to create lots of chances."

BUFC in action vs the Surf in the semi-finals (Kori Lindsey)

Regular-Season Meeting Gives Yakima Early Edge

Before Saturday's championship showdown, Yakima and Bellingham met once during the regular season, with Yakima earning a 2-0 victory June 27 at Marquette Stadium.

The match proved to be a defensive battle, with Yakima taking advantage of its opportunities while shutting down Bellingham's attack.

Missael Lopez scored both goals in the first half to give the home side a 2-0 halftime lead. Yakima preserved the shutout in the second half to secure one of its signature victories of the regular season.

However, both teams expect a different challenge in the championship.

"It's the final that made sense, with us and Yakima finishing joint-highest on points," Henderson said. "We were frustrated not to get to play them again during the regular season, so this is the final we wanted."

Yakima goalkeeper Luis Birrueta did not play in the June meeting while competing in USL League Two and preparing for the MASL season, but he expects a difficult championship battle.

Yakima goalkeeper Luis Birrueta (Fowler)

"We have a lot of respect for them because we know they're a quality team," Birrueta said. "Championship games are always different. We know it will come down to who stays composed, takes care of the small moments and competes for the full 90 minutes."

For Bellingham, the regular-season defeat provides additional motivation.

"We know they've got a talented squad and that they play well together as a unit," Koenig said. "They have the ability to pose some problems for us. But I think we're coming off a strong couple of weeks of training and results, and we're hungry for more."

Home-Field Advantage Fuels Yakima

Playing at Marquette Stadium gives Yakima a familiar setting as it attempts to complete a three-peat.

"Our focus this week has been on staying sharp, trusting our style of play and making sure everyone is on the same page," Birrueta said. "At this point in the season, it's about communication, discipline and competing for every ball. I think the biggest key to lifting the trophy is playing for each other."

Coming off a semifinal performance that included more than five saves, Birrueta said confidence is high entering the final.

"I've been fortunate enough to play in front of big crowds before, so I embrace these moments," he said. "Once the whistle blows, it's just soccer. I trust my preparation, stay in the moment and focus on doing my job."

Although Birrueta did not face Bellingham during the regular season, he understands the challenge ahead.

"We have a lot of respect for them because we know they're a quality team," he said. "Championship games come down to who stays composed, takes care of the small moments and competes for the full 90 minutes."

Defender Diego Lopez echoed that mindset.

"This week we've focused on staying healthy and playing for one another," Lopez said. "We have to approach this final like we've never won one before. Everyone wants the three-peat, but Bellingham is always a great opponent and can create problems."

Historic Marquette Stadium in Yakima 

Lopez believes Yakima's championship experience can be an advantage.

"Being in a position to win three in a row is something special," he said. "Coach Josh Vega and our captain Jose Marquez do a great job keeping everyone level-headed."

Bellingham's High-Powered Attack Ready for Road Test

Bellingham enters the championship with the league's highest-scoring attack and will rely on its chemistry despite assembling players from various collegiate programs each summer.

"My biggest takeaway is how committed this group was to the team-first mentality," midfielder Christian Caro said. "Every summer we bring together players from different backgrounds and different college programs. What impressed me most was how willing everyone was to embrace their roles and build chemistry quickly."

Caro believes that unity has positioned Bellingham to compete for a championship.

"When you have that combination of talent and commitment, it gives you a chance to compete for championships."

Preparation this week has focused on remaining true to the team's identity.

Caro in action for BUFC in the Semi-Finals (Kori Lindsey)

"We know exactly the challenge in front of us," Caro said. "Yakima competes for 90 minutes and never makes things easy. We don't need to reinvent anything because it's a final. We need to trust the work we've put in all season."

Semifinal hat trick hero Alexander Koenig said consistency has been the team's greatest strength.

"We've made it a big deal to stick to the message the coaches are giving us," Koenig said. "We know our strengths, we've got a lot of quality and it comes down to executing on game day."

Koenig also understands what Yakima brings.

"They've got a talented squad that plays well together," he said. "It's crucial that we're willing to outwork them and stick to what has brought us success. If we do that, our quality will show."

Defender Edgar Cuah Serrano believes the semifinal victory has given Bellingham confidence entering Saturday.

"What stood out most was our ability to stay composed and work together even when the game got intense," Serrano said. "A 5-0 win is always an exclamation point, and it definitely gave us confidence going into the final."

Still, he knows the task ahead.

"Yakima is a strong team that's organized and works hard for the entire game," Serrano said. "They're back-to-back champions for a reason, but we know what needs to be done."

Championship Stakes

Saturday's championship presents two compelling storylines.

Yakima United is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive EPLWA Premier title and another chapter in one of the league's most successful dynasties.

Yakima United after winning last year's EPLWA title (YUFC)

Bellingham United, meanwhile, is looking to dethrone the defending champions behind the league's explosive offense and capture its first EPLWA Premier championship.

With the top two teams in the standings meeting for the title, the 2026 EPLWA Premier Championship promises to be a fitting finale to one of the league's most competitive seasons.