By: Henry Krueger, Gonzaga University ‘25
Spokane Velocity FC’s inaugural season boasts a treasure trove of milestones, but none captured the city’s spirit quite like the March 16 home opener against Richmond Kickers. The sold-out crowd of 5,086 fans roared in support as Velocity triumphed 2-1 in the first-ever match at ONE Spokane Stadium.
Roughly one month later, Velocity and the Kickers will look to generate the same level of excitement when the teams square off on Saturday (3 p.m. PST) at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia.
Both squads were recently eliminated from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in third-round matches that were decided long after regulation ended. Velocity lost 2-1 against Las Vegas Lights FC in overtime, while Richmond’s scoreless battle with Loudoun United FC concluded with a penalty shootout.
In USL League One action, Velocity (2-2-1) is positioned fourth in the standings, and Richmond (1-2-1) is a few spots below in ninth place. The two clubs are coming off 2-2 draws on the road in their last league matches.
After producing Richmond’s only goal in the last meeting with Velocity, Adrian Billhardt is tied as USL League One’s top scorer with three goals. Billhardt also leads the league with 3.2 shots on target per 90 minutes and 4.2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes.
Velocity, on the other hand, employs a balanced attack up front, with five different players accounting for seven total goals in league play. The team’s leading scorers Luis Gil and Ahmed Longmire have two goals each.
In Velocity’s recent draw against Lexington SC, Gil buried a goal from 40 yards out and delivered a well-placed corner kick that set up a header from Ahmed Longmire.
With all but one of Velocity’s matches ending with a one-goal difference, the team relies on its back line to limit opponents’ scoring chances. The defense is anchored by goalkeeper Carlos Merancio, who’s third in USL League One with 1.6 goals conceded per 90 minutes.
Following its match against Richmond, Velocity will welcome Central Valley Fuego FC to ONE Spokane Stadium at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 for the opener of the USL Jägermeister Cup’s group stage.
With the competition aiming to foster regional rivalries, Velocity and Fuego were placed in the West Region, along with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC and Union Omaha. Each club will play twice against the other clubs in the group plus two matches against clubs from another group, based on geographic proximity, to complete the eight-match group slate.
Grab your tickets for when Velocity FC takes on Fuego FC at ONE Spokane Stadium on April 27!
