Reign FC Signs Ballard's Elena Milam as Short-Term Goalkeeper
Seattle Reign FC has added goalkeeper Elena Milam, a Ballard High School product, on a short-term contract through October 9, fresh off her penalty-save heroics in Salmon Bay FC's USL W League title run.
Seattle Reign FC announced on September 11 that it signed goalkeeper Elena Milam to a short-term replacement contract running through October 9. Milam grew up in Seattle and is joining her hometown club just weeks after helping Salmon Bay FC win the 2026 USL W League Championship.
Milam's path to this contract runs directly through the penalty spot. She made four penalty saves during Salmon Bay's championship playoff stretch, a run that required the club to survive three postseason shootouts. The biggest of those came in the national championship against Vermont Green FC, played at Interbay Stadium in Seattle, meaning Milam clinched the title in front of a home crowd.
That kind of composure under pressure is exactly what makes a short-term signing like this worth watching. Reign FC isn't bringing in an unknown quantity. Milam, 25, spent the last two seasons with Salmon Bay and made 18 appearances for the club. In 2025 alone she started all 11 matches across every competition, posted nine clean sheets and allowed only two goals the entire season while leading the team in minutes played. Numbers like that explain why she was the one standing on the line for three separate shootouts in the same postseason.
Between her two years with Salmon Bay, Milam also played professionally overseas, spending time with Apollon Ladies FC in Cyprus and VfR Warbeyen in Germany. That stretch gave her a level of professional experience that goes beyond the USL W League résumé alone.
Her college career at DePaul backs up the goalkeeping pedigree. Milam graduated in 2024 having made 193 saves and 10 clean sheets across 45 appearances, and she started every match of her final two collegiate seasons. She ranks sixth on DePaul's all-time saves list. Her senior season included 82 saves and six shutouts, along with BIG EAST All-Tournament Team recognition, and she was named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team in both 2021 and 2022.
Milam's roots in the area go back further than her professional stops. She attended Ballard High School in Seattle and came up through Crossfire Premier's club system before heading to DePaul.
A short-term deal through October 9 is a narrow window, but it gives Reign FC an extra body between the posts at a point in the season when goalkeeper depth matters most. For Milam, it's a chance to keep her form going in the same city where she just won a championship, this time in front of the club she grew up rooting for.
More Info
- Seattle Reign FC Signs Goalkeeper Elena Milam as Short-Term Replacement Player | Seattle Reign FC
- Seattle Reign FC Signs Goalkeeper Elena Milam as Short-Term Replacement Player | bvmsports.com
More in Reign
Reign FC Heads to BMO Stadium for Midweek Playoff Showdown with Angel City
Seattle Reign FC carries a three-game winning streak and three straight clean sheets into a midweek road match at Angel City FC, with both clubs jockeying for playoff position in a crowded NWSL table.
Reign FC Unveils Jess Fishlock Bobblehead for Queen's Match Send-off
Seattle Reign FC has revealed a limited-edition Jess Fishlock bobblehead ahead of the club's second annual Queen's Match on October 2, part of the season-long tribute to the retiring midfielder.
Reign FC Rides Huerta Penalty, Ratcliffe Stunner to Third Straight Shutout
Seattle Reign FC closed out its home stand at Lumen Field with a 2-0 win over Bay FC, getting goals from Sofia Huerta and Brittany Ratcliffe for a third consecutive shutout victory.