Logan Redinger, University of Washington ‘25
Spokane has always had a special place in its heart for soccer. USL Spokane’s men’s side, Spokane Velocity FC, ignited the dormant soccer spirit within the city when the club debuted in front of a sold-out crowd in March.
The passion for soccer has continued to soar in Spokane since, and the professional women’s team, Spokane Zephyr FC, look to take the sport to a new level on Aug. 17 when they debut against Fort Lauderdale United FC in the inaugural season of the USL Super League.
The match will not only be the first women’s professional soccer match in Spokane, but will herald the first women’s professional sport in the city.
“If you look at Spokane right now and want to watch women’s sports, there is collegiate, but there is no professional women’s sports,” said Katie Harnetiaux, President of USL Spokane and principal of Aequus Sports. “So this gives women’s sports fans the highest level of sports to watch in Spokane.”
Despite being a sports town – home of Bloomsday, Hoopfest and successful collegiate programs – Spokane is not known for its first-division professional sports. The introduction of Zephyr FC demonstrates Spokane’s readiness to compete with top-market cities throughout the U.S.
“The fact that Spokane stood out above and beyond all of the typical franchise cities and was able to pull this off in the inaugural year of the USL Super League makes me feel incredibly proud, considering I am from Spokane,” Harniteaux said.
The home opener, just over a week away, will welcome all girls youth soccer teams in the Spokane region for a ceremony on the pitch of ONE Spokane Stadium right before kickoff.
One of the groups participating, 90+ project, uses soccer to promote sportsmanship, develop character, and enable youth to reach their fullest potential. It’s open to all regardless of ability to pay.
“I think it’s really powerful to be part of the first professional women’s soccer team in Spokane, and for our players to get to be on the pitch with the Zephyr players is really special,” said 90+ project administrator Mackenzie Sherstad. “For our youth players to be able to look up and see women that are playing this sport and giving back to their community allows them to see themselves in the shoes of the Zephyr players, which is really important for young girls’ inspiration.”
On top of the pregame ceremony, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive limited Zephyr Home Opener bracelets. A photobooth will be on the stadium concourse with fun props to help family and friends capture this historic day. Additionally, a DJ will crank up the pre-match tunes. In the days following the match, a commemorative drone photo of the historic kickoff will be available to a limited number of fans at the Team Store in the Davenport Grand hotel in downtown Spokane.
Throughout the season, a word that aligns with the club’s values and brand will be the theme for each match. The theme will coincide with a fun, educational and/or celebratory sub-theme. In addition, an honoree will be selected by the club to represent the theme word.
The theme for the home opener on Aug. 17 is “authentic,” celebrating a “homecoming” for professional soccer in the United States, as many players have had to seek professional opportunities abroad prior to the launch of the USL Super League. The honorees will be the hundreds of girls youth soccer players who helped inspire the vision to create Zephyr FC.
“Greater opportunity for women to play professional soccer in the U.S. has been a long time coming, and now it is here and it is real – the incredible quality of this club, the match day experience, and the level of competition will be authentic professional soccer right here in Spokane,” said Dave Sonntag, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for USL Spokane.
The respective themes for the fall schedule are:
Sept. 8 v. Brooklyn FC: “Tenacious” with Hispanic Heritage Night
Sept. 15 v. Carolina Ascent FC: “Brilliant” with STEM Night
Sept. 22 v. DC Power FC: “Fierce” with Hero Night
Oct. 6 v. Dallas Trinity FC: “Brave” with Breast Cancer Awareness Night
Oct. 13 v. Lexington Sporting Club SC: “United” with TBA Night
Oct. 27 v. Tampa Bay Sun FC: “Confident” with TBA Night
The excitement continues to build with the home opener approaching, and Zephyr will have the soccer community of Spokane rocking when they take on Fort Lauderdale United FC on Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. at ONE Spokane Stadium. The game, as with all Zephyr matches, will be streamed on Peacock TV.
