By: Henry Krueger, Gonzaga University ‘25
The format of the USL Jägermeister Cup was designed to generate dramatic finishes, and with four matches ending in penalty shootouts, the inaugural week of group play more than lived up to the hype.
The nontraditional format has also created intriguing narratives for the second week of action, including this Saturday’s match between Spokane Velocity FC and Union Omaha at ONE Spokane Stadium.
Penalty shootouts decided the Jägermeister Cup openers for both teams, but only Omaha came out on top after outshooting Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 3-2 in penalties on May 1. Velocity was on the wrong side of a similar finish, falling 4-2 in penalties against Central Valley Fuego FC on April 27.
Cup play is 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.
Both matches were considered a draw, but Omaha was given an extra point in the West Region standings for winning the shootout. Omaha and Fuego occupy the top two spots in the group with Velocity and Hailstorm trailing closely behind.
As Velocity returns from a two-week break, Omaha is fresh off a 2-1 loss on Wednesday against Sporting Kansas City of the MLS in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Led by head coach Dominic Casciato, Omaha is undefeated against USL League One opponents this season and is positioned second in the USL League One standings. The club leads the league with a 7.15 FotMob rating, which uses advanced statistical models to measure efficiency and overall production.
In comparison, Velocity is fifth in the league standings and has the sixth-best FotMob rating at 6.96. Leigh Veidman’s club also hasn’t lost a game at home, where it will play three more times before going back on the road.
“We’ve come together and got a good cohesive group in the locker room – a very honest group with a great growth mindset,” Veidman said. “We’ve got a group of fighters. When faced with the challenge, we want to go out there and we want to stand up to it.”
Velocity has been led by its defense, which is first in USL League One in successful tackles per match (13.0) and second in interceptions per match (11.5). The anchor of the back line has been goalkeeper Carlos Merancio, who’s tied for first with two clean sheets.
“We have all the other building blocks,” said defender Derek Waldeck. “It’s just a matter of being able to put complete 90-minute performances in … building that consistency. I’ve been really impressed and really proud of the work that we put in to get where we are right now.”
The match on Saturday will celebrate Mom Appreciation Night at ONE Spokane Stadium, where the first 500 moms to enter the gates will receive a flower and commemorative shirt. The match theme is “about appreciating and celebrating all the women and mother figures in your lives who have stepped up to support you,” said USL Spokane President Katie Harnetiaux.
Following the tradition before every home game, the 509 Syndicate will gather 90 minutes before the 6 p.m. kickoff at the Rotary Fountain in Riverfront Park; at 5 p.m. the group will march to the stadium with drums, flags and lots of cheering. The public is invited to join in.
Still need tickets for this Saturday? The first 500 moms to enter the gates will receive special gifts. Get your tickets now!
