By: Henry Krueger, Gonzaga University ‘25
A costly foul in stoppage time spoiled a 1-0 lead for Spokane Velocity FC, which earned a point in Saturday’s Jägermeister Cup opener but ultimately fell 2-4 in penalty kicks against Central Valley Fuego FC.
The inaugural USL Jagermeister Cup is an in-season tournament separate from the regular season standings. Matches that end in a draw award one point to each team. The team that wins penalty kicks earns an additional point.
Fuego’s late comeback began with midfielder Robert Coronado converting a penalty kick to send the match into a penalty shootout. It ended with striker Zahir Vazquez burying Central Valley’s fifth and final penalty attempt to silence the crowd of 4,181 fans at ONE Spokane Stadium.
“First off, we did a really good job in staying compact, really good job winning our duals in the first half,” said head coach Leigh Veidman. “That’s a good attacking team, they are one of the best attacking teams statistically in the league. And we were aware of that going into the game … they made the change in the second half and we were not quite as good in our defensive side of the game in the second half,” continued Veidman.
Velocity and Fuego begin the Jägermeister Cup’s group stage with draws – Fuego earning an extra point for winning penalty kicks – where they are joined in the West Region by Union Omaha and Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. Velocity had won its first 3 matches at home prior to today’s draw, and was coming off a win at Richmond last Saturday.
“I feel like we still created chances. Perhaps we could have had a little bit more quality at the end of it. I know me personally, I had a couple of chances,” said midfielder Luis Gill.
“I think just being smarter with our play as well. Picking the right times when we should go forward. When we should keep it … but we’ve got to be smart as well and protect our lead and be smart when we create certain chances and then at the end of it finishing,” continued Gill.
Both teams attacked aggressively in the opening minutes, but struggled to convert scoring
chances into goals. One of those opportunities came in the sixth minute when Velocity left back Derek Waldeck delivered a cross from the left endline to the six-yard box, where striker Josh Dolling’s shot was saved by Fuego goalkeeper Andre Zuluaga.
Velocity continued applying pressure on Fuego’s back line until left wing Pierre Reedy was able to bury a shot from just outside the 18-yard box in the 20th minute to put his team ahead 1-0. The assist was credited to Dolling, who had a look at the goal before setting up Reedy.
Fuego looked to even things up as the half went on, and the club nearly did in the 45th minute when Coronado’s long-range shot was batted over the goal by Velocity goalkeeper Carlos Merancio.
At halftime, the shot difference was 7-3 in favor of Velocity, which had also controlled 54% of the possession by that point.
The second half started out much differently, with Central Valley outshooting Velocity 3-0 in the first 20 minutes after the intermission. However, Fuego’s attack wasn’t too much to handle for Merancio, who secured three saves during that span.
Velocity was able to rediscover its offensive rhythm late in the half, where it had several opportunities to build on its lead. A close chance arose in the 80th minute when Ariel Mbumba sent a pass to Luis Gil, who took an open shot from the top of the 18-yard box that bounced off the left post.
As time was winding down in regulation, a foul was called on Velocity defender Marcelo Lage inside the penalty area. The penalty pick was converted by Coronado, who drilled a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
In the penalty shootout, Raúl Mendiola, Coronado, Shavon John-Brown and Vazquez converted for Fuego, while Gil and Andre Lewis buried their attempts for Velocity.
Velocity fans did their part to foil Fuego’s penalty kicks as they poured out of the stands into the 509 Syndicate supporters group section behind the south goal cheering, blowing horns, and banging the drums.
“Yeah, it was awesome,” said Gil. “Again, like these fans continue to show up and show out and it’s, I mean, it’s a big part of why we’re having success at home so hopefully they can keep coming out because we love their sport.”
“…by the end of the day we don’t want to be in that position, right? I don’t want to be the MVP of the game or whatever. I just want to win,” said goalkeeper Carlos Merancio. “And I think we have the team to kill the game in that environment,” continued Merancio.
Velocity will continue group play in the Jägermeister Cup by hosting Union Omaha at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 for Mom Appreciation Night. On the other side of the West Region, Omaha is facing Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in a match that ends later tonight.
ONE Spokane Stadium will host three more matches in a row, all of which are being played under different formats. Velocity’s May 19 match against Forward Madison is a regular season USL League One match, and will celebrate Expo 50.
The next match against Greenville Triumph SC on May 25 is part of the Jägermeister Cup, and will honor Spokane Public Schools as well as welcome summer with all seats on the east side of the stadium $15 each.
Velocity’s final match of its home stretch is an international friendly against Chivas De Guadalajara on June 2.
Saturday, May 11 is Mom Appreciation Day at ONE Spokane Stadium. The first 500 moms to enter the gates will receive special gifts. Get your tickets now!
