Everett FC rallies from two-goal deficit to win second straight EPLWA Busch Cup

Everett FC rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat Alianza FC (Skagit) 3-2 and win its second consecutive Evergreen Premier League of Washington Championship Division title Saturday in the 2026 EPLWA Championship Final for the Busch Cup.

Everett FC fell behind 2-0 after Alianza scored on a penalty kick following an early goal in the opening 10 minutes. Everett responded with two consecutive goals from striker JM Ago to level the match.

In the final third of the match, Roman Bogutskyi found a loose ball in the penalty area and buried the go-ahead goal, giving Everett FC its second consecutive championship.

“I just wanted to win. We were down two to zero. It was just insane, and that's probably something that I've never experienced in my life, a game-winning goal,” Bogutskyi said. “We made a lot of changes for the third goal and to get the win in the game. It's just unbelievable.”

Above: Bogutskyi  had the match's go-ahead goal

Alianza pressed for an equalizer late and came close on several occasions, but Everett FC's defense held firm to preserve the victory.

Everett FC coach David Needham said the team's two regular-season losses to Alianza provided valuable insight heading into the championship match.

“They beat us twice in the regular season, but that allowed us to know how they want to play and what they want to do,” Needham said. “For us, it was about being down two goals and asking if we could have the mental fortitude to stay in it and continue to do the things that we planned and trained for. It worked out for us.”

Needham said the championship became a complete performance from his players.

“Really, at the end, it was just a beautiful game. We had to come out on top,” he said.

After falling behind early, Everett FC adjusted its approach and began creating more attacking opportunities. Needham said the team identified space behind Alianza's wingbacks as an area it could exploit.

“In their three-man back, there was space to be had behind their outside wingbacks,” Needham said. “We were trying to go up the wings and get a one-two overload.”

Needham also credited his players for executing the game plan, particularly Ago, who scored both of Everett FC's first-half goals.

“Ultimately, JM [Ago], our striker, had two beautiful goals. We can't take that away,” Needham said. “It's not just tactics. It's not about the coach pushing buttons and pulling levers. The players absolutely crushed that game.”

With Alianza pressing for an equalizer in the closing minutes, Needham said Everett FC showed the resilience needed to secure the championship.

“They wanted it. They fought to the very end,” Needham said. “Even when Alianza was trying to equalize at the end, they dug deep and found a way to see it out.”

Everett FC entered the EPLWA Championship Division final looking to defend the title it won during the league's inaugural Championship Division season. After finishing second in the regular-season standings with a 3-2 record, Everett FC earned another championship matchup against regular-season champion Alianza FC.

The EPLWA Championship Division is part of the Evergreen Premier League of Washington, a top-level semi-professional soccer league in the state. The league's championship trophy, the Busch Cup, is named in honor of EPLWA President Tim Busch.