By: Henry Krueger
Spokane Velocity FC hasn’t wasted time establishing its presence in USL League One.
In last Saturday’s home opener, the club entertained a sold-out crowd with two quick goals en route to a victory over the Richmond Kickers. Four days later, Velocity FC traveled to Seattle for its first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match, and sealed a win in the 97th minute after midfielder Andre Lewis buried the game’s only goal to take down Ballard FC, reigning champions of USL League Two.
Velocity FC looks to carry on its early-season momentum to Saturday’s home game against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, which is also fresh off a U.S. Open Cup victory. On Tuesday, Hailstorm FC got four goals from four different players to notch a 4-1 win over defending National Premier Soccer League champions Tulsa Athletic.
Tickets are available for this home match at ONE Spokane Stadium. Also find the match on ESPN+ and on local television at KSKN 22.
Hailstorm FC hasn’t played a USL League One match since its scoreless draw against Lexington SC on March 9. Velocity FC has a 1-1-0 record in league play, with its only loss coming in the season opener at Greenville Triumph SC.
As Velocity FC returns to ONE Spokane Stadium, head coach Leigh Veidman is aware of the challenges his team will face in its inaugural season.
“I think every game in the USL is incredibly hard,” Veidman said. “Every game that we win is massively important, specifically at home for the fans. We’re going to see different styles within the league. We’ve got to learn and grow and develop in how we defend and attack against those different styles.”
Hailstorm FC features an aggressive scoring attack, which propelled the team to a league-best 64 goals with a 19% conversion rate last season. The 2023 club was led by USL League One Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner Trevor Amann, who signed with USL Championship club Sacramento Republic in the offseason.
However, Hailstorm FC still retained some of its offensive production after bringing back midfielder Marky Hernández and forward Billy King, the team’s second-leading scorers last season with eight goals each.
Head coach Éamon Zayed also has several new attacking options up front, including forward Ethan Hoard, who scored his first career goal in the 85th minute of Hailstorm FC’s win over Tulsa Athletic.
Guarding the net for Hailstorm FC is goalkeeper Edward Delgado, a finalist for USL League One’s Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2023. Delgado tied a league record with 13 clean sheets in 30 games.
Delgado will have his hands full against Velocity FC, which is tied for a league-best three goals against USL League One opponents. Forward Josh Dolling scored in the team’s season opener, while defenders Ahmed Longmire and Romain Metanire buried shots against the Richmond Kickers.
Aside from Velocity FC’s home game, Spokane is hosting the first and second rounds of the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament this weekend at the Spokane Arena and McCarthey Athletic Center.
On match day, the 509 Syndicate will gather 90 minutes prior to kickoff, and march from the Rotary Fountain in Riverfront Park to the stadium at 5 p.m. with drums, flags and lots of cheering. This is a tradition prior to every home game.
On Saturday night, Velocity FC will continue to celebrate soccer in Spokane, as well as honor their Together Spokane Partners – a group of nonprofit organizations in the region who share the club’s values for diversity, equity and inclusion; youth growth and development; and access to soccer. Together Spokane partners Washington East Surf Soccer Club, Spokane Youth Sports Association (SYSA), Thrive International, and Spokane Sports will have booths on the north stadium concourse to engage with fans and share their mission.
In addition, before the 6 p.m. kickoff, Velocity FC is honoring the Spokane Public Schools’ soccer programs with which they share ONE Spokane Stadium. The head coaches of the five men’s Spokane Public Schools’ varsity high school soccer teams will initiate the Rumble tradition that welcomes Velocity FC players onto the field. These coaches include North Central’s Matt Leonard, Shadle’s Russ Davis, Lewis and Clark’s Mica Lamb, Rogers’ Mike Duke, and Ferris’ Robin Crane.
Don’t miss the action! Get your tickets to see Velocity FC take on Northern Colorado Hailstorm!
