Eastside FC Well Represented in USL W League Championship Victory
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Three members of the Eastside FC family are national champions.
Current GU19 ECNL players Natalie Gram and Amiah Armstead, along with Eastside FC coach Jodi Ülkekul, helped Salmon Bay FC capture the 2026 USL W League National Championship, defeating Vermont Green FC in a dramatic penalty shootout after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes.
The championship capped an unforgettable postseason run in which Salmon Bay won three consecutive playoff matches on penalty kicks to claim its first national title in just its second season.
For Eastside FC, the victory showcased three individuals who have each contributed to the club in unique ways—as players, coaches, and leaders.
Gram, a goalkeeper on Kelvin Galvez’s GU19 ECNL team, has built a reputation as one of the top goalkeepers in the region. Entering her senior year of high school, Gram continues to add to an already impressive soccer résumé, and this summer’s national championship represents another milestone in her development as she prepares for the next chapter of her career.
Alongside her was fellow GU19 ECNL teammate Amiah Armstead, a composed and athletic defender who has been a key contributor for both Eastside FC and Salmon Bay FC. Also entering her senior year, Armstead used the USL W League season as an opportunity to compete at a high level, challenge herself against elite competition, and continue developing ahead of her future collegiate career.
The championship also belongs to a familiar face on the Eastside FC sidelines.
Jodi Ülkekul returned to Eastside FC this spring after an accomplished professional playing career that began in 2019. Over the past seven years, Ülkekul has competed at the professional level, including a season playing in Australia, while continuing to grow as both a player and coach.
Her connection with Eastside FC runs deep. During the 2023–2024 season, Ülkekul coached with the club while rehabbing from an ACL injury she sustained during her time with Seattle Reign FC. Her return to coaching provided Eastside FC players with the opportunity to learn from someone who has experienced the highest levels of the game firsthand.
This summer, Ülkekul added another achievement to her career by helping lead Salmon Bay FC to its first USL W League National Championship.
The championship match delivered plenty of drama. After a scoreless first half, Salmon Bay took the lead in the 78th minute before Vermont Green FC equalized in second-half stoppage time. Neither side could find a winner during extra time, sending the match to penalties. Salmon Bay ultimately prevailed in the sixth round of the shootout, capping a remarkable playoff run that saw the club concede just two goals over five postseason matches while surviving three consecutive penalty shootout victories.
The USL W League has become one of the premier pre-professional women’s soccer leagues in the United States, providing an environment where elite youth players, college athletes, and aspiring professionals compete together during the summer months. For players like Gram and Armstead, the league offers valuable experience against high-level competition. For coaches like Ülkekul, it provides another opportunity to grow and contribute to the future of the women’s game.
Eastside FC congratulates Natalie, Amiah, and Jodi on an incredible achievement and is proud to see three members of the club family representing Eastside FC at the highest levels of the sport.
Comments