Spokane, WA — In their first road game of the regular 2026 USL League One season, Spokane Velocity FC fell 4-0 in North Carolina to a high-octane Charlotte Independence who made three first-half goals.
Velocity FC head coach Leigh Veidman said the team’s first-half performance dictated the game.
“We were not compact enough as a team. We handled the counterattack poorly and made too many errors in dangerous areas that led to goals and chances for Charlotte,” Veidman said. “That responsibility ultimately falls on my shoulders.”
Spokane came into the game off the back of a perfect 2-0 start to their third League One season, but it was Charlotte who took the lead in just the second minute of play. Independence forward Mathis Guffroy sent a cross right in front of the Velocity goal, which took an unexpected bounce off the far post and into Velocity FC defender Simon Fitch, who unfortunately bumped the ball into his own net, giving Charlotte a 1-0 lead.
Velocity FC defender Derek Waldeck fired a shot just wide of the frame in the 10th minute, attempting to launch Spokane right back into the match, but Charlotte continued to control the run of play in the first-half.
“We were flat in the opening 20 minutes — that kind of start isn’t up to our standards,” Waldeck said. “The response was good and we created moments to work ourselves back in the group. We’ll learn as a group and be better moving forward.”
In the 23rd minute, Independence midfielder Luis Alvarez drew and converted a penalty to double the hosts’ lead, before defender Javen Romero was found in space by forward Souaibou Marou on a counterattack, increasing Velocity FC’s deficit to 3-0 just before halftime.
Coming out of the break, Veidman made two personnel changes, subbing on midfielder Andre Lewis and giving defender Gagi Margvelashvili his League One debut. The Georgian center back made an instant impact on both sides of the pitch, getting on the end of multiple Luis Gil corners as Velocity FC searched for a goal while winning 100% of his duels (2-for-2), making three recoveries and adding an interception on defense.
“I arrived late and of course I am not in my best form yet, but when you are with this team, you have to be ready for every minute and do your best to succeed,” Gagi said. “I am glad to be in Spokane. Last season this club was one step away from winning the championship. We are planning to celebrate a championship win this year.”
Medgy Alexandre, a young Canadian loan from the Charleston Battery, also made his Velocity debut in the second half after joining the club on Wednesday, while offseason signing Moses Mensah made his first league start for Spokane.
The substitutions sparked Spokane’s attack and Velocity FC maintained nearly 15 minutes of sustained pressure in Charlotte’s half, but just couldn’t break through. Forward Neco Brett came closest to a goal for Spokane in the 64th minute, mustering a strike from inside a crowded six-yard box but Charlotte goalkeeper Matt Levy was alert to parry away the point-blank strike.
With Velocity unable to launch a comeback, Charlotte Independence made it 4-0 in the 80th minute, as substitute Miles Lyons was set up by Alvarez to score his first goal of the young season.
The defeat brings Velocity FC to 2-0-1 this season but the back-to-back League One finalists remain third in the table, two points ahead of Charlotte (1-1-0) in fourth.
“The response in the second half was a little better, but that second half performance is the minimum standard at the club and we were way below that in the first-half,” Veidman said. “We take our lessons and move on to Wednesday.”
Velocity FC will look to respond positively from the loss as they travel to take on Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the next round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 1. The match is set to kickoff at 5:00 PM PT and can be watched live on CBS Sports Network. For tickets to Velocity FC’s next home match on April 7 against AV Alta FC, visit Velocity FC Tickets – USL Spokane.
