Alianza, Everett FC Set for EPLWA Championship Division Showdown

The EPLWA Championship Division will feature a rematch between two of the league's top clubs as regular-season champion Alianza FC takes on defending champion Everett FC.

Everett FC enters the final looking to defend the league title it won during its inaugural season a year ago. Alianza, meanwhile, has emerged as the league's dominant team in 2026, finishing the regular season with an 8-1 record and riding an eight-game winning streak into the championship.

The two sides arrive at the title match heading in opposite directions. Alianza closed the season with eight consecutive victories, while Everett FC finished second at 3-2 and dropped its final two regular-season matches.

One of those losses came against Alianza, which erased an early deficit before pulling away for a 6-2 victory.

"It was a perfect example of what makes this team special," Alianza striker Wyatt Tyra said. "We went down 0-1 early, but nobody panicked. We trusted our game plan, stuck to what we know and ended up earning a 6-2 victory against one of the league's top teams."

Tyra said the team's balance has been the biggest key to its success.

"We have the best attack in the league with 32 goals scored while also having one of the strongest defenses, allowing just seven goals all season," he said. "It shows the quality and consistency of our squad."

Alianza FC

A Return of a Historic Name

Alianza carries a name that has deep roots in Skagit Valley soccer.

Owner and coach Joe Estrada revived the name from a longtime Sunday League team he once played for in the Skagit Valley. Before bringing it back, he sought permission from former teammates.

"Alianza means 'alliance' in Spanish," Estrada said. "Our team is made up of different groups coming together, so I thought the name fit perfectly."

"Before I used the name, I went to my old teammates and asked for their permission. They told me it had been decades and said, 'Go ahead and bring it back.'"

While Alianza represents Skagit Valley, Sunday's championship also carries personal meaning for Estrada, who grew up in Everett.

"Everett definitely has a special place in my heart," Estrada said. "Every time I pass the 'Entering Everett' sign, I think about home."

"This is a very important game to me, playing against them."

Despite the emotions, Estrada has plenty of respect for the defending champions.

"Everett FC is a very good team," he said. "I consider them a flagship organization."

Alianza's Depth Has Fueled Championship Run

Estrada credits several players for helping elevate the club to the top of the standings.

"Wyatt Tyra has really kind of set us over the top," Estrada said. "He's a local kid from Cedarcrest High School, and he's even outperformed some of our UPSL Premier players."

"He's a goal scorer, and he's obsessed with scoring hat tricks."

Estrada also praised midfielder Isaac DeVange.

"Isaac DeVange is probably our best overall player," he said. "Defensively, offensively, he's versatile, has zero drama, zero toxicity and is just a great teammate."

Veteran Mohammed Darbo has also been instrumental.

"Mohammed Darbo is a player everybody knows," Estrada said. "He's played in tournaments all over the country, and everywhere he goes, he produces."

Forward Cameron Orestad has become another consistent scoring threat.

"Cameron Orestad is one of the most passionate players I've ever been around," Estrada said. "He seems to score every game or every other game."

Although Alianza enters as the favorite, Estrada said the team faces challenges entering the championship.

"Our biggest challenge is that we're missing a few key players because they're getting married," he said. "I'm grateful we have the depth to handle it."

"I feel like a fantasy football owner. You know who your best players are, but you've got to put them in the right positions for the matchup."

That player-driven approach has become part of Estrada's coaching philosophy.

"I try to give the players more input," he said. "Most teams I've been on, it's the coach's way or the highway, but I want our players to have a say in what we do."

Players Buying Into the System

Several Alianza players pointed to the team's chemistry as the difference throughout the season.

"What worked well for us is that we know how to play together as a team," Manu La Franja said. "We trust each other, communicate well and everyone does their job."

Bakary Dibba echoed that sentiment.

"Once the team started trusting the players they're playing with, it made a big difference," Dibba said. "Knowing our players' ability played a big role in our attack."

Orestad credited the coaching staff for helping the team rebound after its only loss of the season.

"It definitely starts with our coach Jo," Orestad said. "His patience and constructive criticism put us in a position to win. He found a way to put guys in the right positions where we thrive and find the right chemistry."

Midfielder Cuauh Serrano, who also appeared in this summer's EPLWA Premier Division final with Bellingham United, believes consistency has been Alianza's defining trait.

"Something that has worked well the whole season is our consistency," Serrano said. "We've held results, gotten results and hope to get another."

Everett FC

Everett Looking to Repeat

Everett FC enters the championship with confidence despite its late-season slide.

Assistant coach Josh Green said one of the club's greatest strengths continues to be its homegrown roster.

"It's been fantastic for the second year in a row to have so much of our team comprised of local guys who came up through the Everett FC youth system," Green said. "Winning the championship in our inaugural season and now competing for a second consecutive trophy with homegrown talent is a special achievement."

Green said maintaining chemistry while integrating new players has remained a priority.

"One of the reasons we were so successful last season and this season is that the guys all like each other," he said. "Many of them played together for years in their youth careers, so integrating new players into that can be a challenge, but I think we've done a fantastic job."

To prepare for the championship, Everett FC plans to scrimmage its UPSL squad against its EPLWA roster.

"We'll pit our EPLWA squad against our UPSL squad in preparation," Green said. "Expect them to come out confident in the typical Everett FC style, free-flowing in attack, very physical and with more than enough flair to keep things exciting."

With Alianza chasing its first league championship and Everett FC seeking back-to-back titles, the EPLWA final brings together the league's hottest team against its reigning champion in what promises to be one of the season's most compelling matchups.