Bellingham United is not the most recognized team in Whatcom County but it provides a great tradition of soccer to area fans.
“The (Bellingham) Bells are very big and we are trying to get to that crowd level,” player Jordan Voigt said. “It’s cool just to have a team here in the summer when I’m back home and can continue to stay in shape.”
Bellingham United, known as the Hammers, has been a local semiprofessional soccer club since 2012 and consists of four teams.
Men’s and women’s outdoor
The men’s outdoor team competes in the Evergreen Premier League WA and finished the 2024 season with a 3-1-2 record. The women’s team competes in the Cascadia Premier League and reached the finals in back-to-back seasons.
Although both teams fell short, the home games are a one-of-a-kind experience.
Outside back Christian Caro, 28, said it’s cool to play in a small community like Bellingham because there are “people who will recognize me.”
“They might not be asking for an autograph but they will remember you. The fact that someone is following you and cares gives you a sense of a professional feeling,” Caro said.
Both teams play from May to July and host games at Whatcom Community College, averaging between 100-200 fans per game.
The men’s team was created in 2012, but the women’s squad was only created two years ago because Executive Director Marc Ronney was bothered that local girls and women did not have the opportunity to play outside of high school or college.
“My only thing was we were going to do this when we had a coach that we knew could do it,” Ronney said. “Claire Morgan and Mary Schroeder came in and took over. Without those women, it would have never happened.”
Both teams draw players from the Whatcom FC Rangers club team, local high schools, colleges and ex-college players.
Triya Mitchell is an 18-year-old incoming senior at Sehome High. She has played for the Hammers the last two years and describes the game play as competitive, physical and intense. Mitchell said Bellingham United helps her prepare to transition to playing at Western Washington University.
Voigt, a 20-year-old junior at Whitworth College, has developed through the Hammers program. Voigt’s journey began as a fan when he was child. At age 15, the Squalicum soccer player joined the Hammers outdoor team as a practice player.
“He’s fantastic and we love him,” Ronney said. “Jordan travels home just to play games so he is eligible for the playoffs. It has helped his game and to compete at the Division 3 level.”
Voigt has become the local role model he used to look up to, signing autographs and providing lessons to younger players.
Keira Reeves, a 17-year-old incoming junior at Sehome, is the next developmental player for Bellingham United. In her first season, she learned from older players and built her confidence.
“Keira has been fantastic,” Ronney said. “She will be playing college somewhere.”
Men’s and women’s indoor
The men’s indoor team began playing in the Western Indoor Soccer League in 2014. The Hammers are the most successful team out of seven members, winning league titles from 2015-17 and 2019.
The women’s indoor team competes in the Northwest Premier League. In their second season, they finished 5-3 and lost in the championship match.
The men play from October to March while the women play from December to February. Both teams host games at the Sportsplex Arena in Bellingham. Similar to the outdoor league, the indoor league is physical and intense but does have differences.
First, the dimensions of the field are between 150-210-feet long and 75-100-feet wide. An outdoor soccer pitch is typically around 320-feet long and 225-feet wide. Since it is a smaller field, the two teams field six players, including a goalie. Teams are also allowed to substitute an unlimited amount of times during the game and penalties are enforced as two-minute power plays, like hockey.
The Hammers indoor squad also draws a sold-out crowd nearly every game with about 400-500 fans dressed in black and white.
“The Black and White Army have the drums and pro feeling with chants,” Caro said. “Some players have songs, which is special that Bellingham provides the players.”
Mitchell said the atmosphere reminds her of the impact she has on this team and how it is providing an outlet for local girls to play semiprofessional soccer.
The limited offseason begins with coaches working alongside Western, Whatcom Community College and Skagit Valley College to recruit players. Ronney makes sure the buses are scheduled, the coaches are situated and the games are played. Jacob Sorenson, the game operations manager, makes sure every player is registered and eligible to play.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
