Spokane Won’t Slow Down

It’s been another 8 matches since my last update, my How Goes Spo? blog. I know, I know; how many of these Velocity blogs am I going to write? Well, until Velocity folds! Hopefully, they don’t, sadly, like our women’s team, Spokane Zyphre. I’ll actually touch on that at a later date. I am also starting this blog a week early because at the time of writing this, the FIFA World Cup starts tomorrow, and I expect I will be sucked into it, saying goodbye to so many historic names. 

I would like to get some rambling out of the way first. Wow, what a blessing to finally have a professional sports team! I still recall when my brother told me about it. I was barely starting to get into football, but I was still excited because Spokane is finally getting a professional team! I’m sure I touched all of this in my first blog, but I still wish to “hear my own voice”. 

For me, the excitement of Velocity arriving in Spokane sparked a desire to dig even deeper into the world of football, and having a team I can watch from home or in person, week in and week out, has been so amazing. Since the 2022 World Cup, I have put more effort into researching and learning about this sport and its history than I have into the others combined. Okay, I’m done now. 

Picture: Jedidiah Helling

When I last gave an update on Velocity’s record, they were sitting at a 4-1-1 league record and a 1-1 Lamar Hunt Open Cup record. Since then, we’ve obviously been booted from the Open Cup after our loss in a penalty shootout (4-2) against the USL Championship team Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

Since April 20th, Spokane has played 3 USL Cup matches, with a record of 2-0-1. And another 6 league matches with a record of 3-1-1. Sadly, in the first match after that last blog, I spent hyping up Velocity; Sacramento Republic FC absolutely pummeled us 4-0 in our first USL Cup match. That leaves our league record at 6-2-3 and our overall record at 9-2-5 so far in 2026. Not too shabby, I do say so myself. 

On an even more positive note, SPOKANE IS UNDEFEATED AT HOME IN 2026!! A 16-5 point differential at home. One thing is for sure: you do not want to play in Spokane as an opposing team. Now, Leigh Veidman, Spokane’s Head Coach, stated in an interview with KREM 2 News after the 2025 USL1 semi-finals match,"That's the love and the camaraderie and the togetherness its brought to the city..” he goes on to explain how loving this city has become and how this sport is helping us connect and bring more energy and excitement to the games.

Picture: Jedidiah Helling

I’ve gone to two home matches this year with Stephen, our head honcho at Sports N Bros, and both were nail bitters filled with some pretty dang questionable officiating, but I ain't no expert, so bah! Anyways, both matches were absolutely amazing and thrilling to watch, especially the Boise match on April 6th! I almost typed out “first match against Boise,” but I mistakenly said that on one of our IG posts, and two users did a good job calling out my mistake! But this was our first home match against Boise. And man, let me tell you, it was an absolute riot to attend that match. 

Stephen and I first met that day in a tavern before walking to the match. By the time we left, there was 3 separate groups of Boise fans all in their gear. I was so excited to see this because it meant we finally had a real rivalry! The Boise fans did not disappoint, making the experience feel so alive. Constantly yelling from both sides, flags waving everywhere, and, of course, the 3 young men running up and down One Spokane Stadium, yelling in everyone's ear, telling us fans that Velocity was going to lose. We’re trash. We’re garbage(Yeah, Garbage Goats!). Man, it felt good when we got 2 goals within 4 minutes of each other in the second half. 

Although Boise scored a goal just 1 minute after our two goals, we still won 2-1. I think I knew we were missing a rivalry. We’re missing some stuff, yes, but this will just make some matches even more fun and important. I personally hope it will increase attendance, especially for those home matches against Boise. This match was definitely one of my most memorable experiences there, and I’ve witnessed at least 6 home matches in person where we put up 3 goals on the opposing team. 

Picture: Jedidiah Helling

Rivalries are amazing for sports, and I cannot wait to absolutely go crazy next time Boise comes up here. I might even try going down to Boise next year for a match. Spokane faces Boise one more time, at least while I’m typing this. The match is in Spokane on September 20th, so be there and bring all the 509 pride you've got! 

I also would absolutely kick myself if I failed to mention that Spokane beat Las Vegas Lights FC at home in this 8 match stretch. For those who don’t know, Las Vegas Lights FC is a USL Championship team that beat us in the Lamar Hunt Open Cup Rd. 2 back in Jan 2025 in Las Vegas. Spokane would go on to lose 2-0. So the fact that we got our revenge at home against an opponent who is a tier above us is AWESOME! Now, yes, Vegas is definitely ranked pretty low in their league. I just think this proves that the USL should at least implement relegation and promotion. But I digress. 

Spokane is absolutely determined to win it all this year, and you see it out there on the pitch every time. These players and HC Leigh Veidman have done so much for this city. If you’re reading this and are from a big city, let me help you see where the average Spokanite is coming from. Velocity is our first-ever professional sports team of any kind. USL1 or not, it's still pro. Our minor league baseball team, the Indians, and our hockey team, the Chiefs, are among the top attractions for locals. Then we have Gonzaga Bulldogs, now you’ve probably heard of them! But alas, while we sure do love our Zags, they’ve never brought a trophy back to Spokane. Zags got close twice, 2017 and 2021, since the 1907-08 season. 

Picture: Jedidiah Helling

So the fact that velocity showed up 2 years ago and immediately became back-to-back runner-ups is HUGE for us. I already explained that I believe we’re going to win it all this year, a couple of months back, so I won't dive back into that. But Spokane gets to try for revenge from last year. Spokane flies out to face One Knoxville SC for the first time since the 2025 championship match. At the time of writing this, Knoxville is 3rd in the league, and Spokane is 4th. 

I’m expecting it to be such a good matchup that it will keep us standing or on the edge of our seats the entire match. What to be aware of heading into this match is that Knoxville currently has the most clean sheets (5) in the league. They have also never lost to Spokane. Knoxville is 2-3-0 against Spokane. I have a feeling we’re going to break that on June 20th. Bring your jerseys, scarves, flags, anything!