SARASOTA, FL — After trailing 0-1 for more than 70 minutes, Spokane Velocity FC forward Marky Hernández found an equalizer at the death to snatch a point on the road against Sarasota.
Coach Leigh Veidman reflected on Saturday’s hard fought draw.
“Very mixed emotions on the night but overall the character we showed to keep pushing forward and fight until the final whistle was unquestionable,” said Veidman.
Spokane had a couple of great chances at scoring in the first half, with Luis Gil and Neco Brett both taking quality shots in the 10th and 18th minute. Gil’s shot in the 10th came from the penalty area and hit the crossbar, while Brett’s attempt in the 18th was corralled by Sarasota goalkeeper Alex Sutton.
It was Paradise who struck first, with midfielder Ethan Bryant scoring in the 21st minute to give Sarasota a 1-0 lead. The play started off an interception by the hosts, with Anderson Roja making a run inside the box and serving a cross to Bryant, who knocked in the score.
Spokane defender Derek Waldeck tried to respond, taking a shot just inside the left of the box in the 31st minute but leaving it wide right of the net.
A minute later, Spokane’s captain Luis Gil broke away from defenders and into space, getting a one on one opportunity against Sutton. Gil did not get enough power on his shot, sending it towards the left corner of the net for Sutton to save easily.
Velocity FC midfielder Nil Vinyals had a couple of chances near the end of the second half to equalize but could not find the net. Vinyals’ attempt outside the box in the 74th minute bounced right to Sutton, while another distanced shot in the 81st rolled wide left.
Vinyals spoke on Sarasota’s defense and how they were able to find that late equalizer.
“They [Sarasota] made it tough on us all night, but we stayed with it and kept attacking and were able to get a goal which was huge,” said Vinyals.
Hernández, who subbed on in the 74th minute, saved Spokane with a goal in the 94th minute to equalize the match at 1-1 and salvage a point on the road. Brett sent an initial shot towards goal that was deflected by Sutton, with Hernández rebounding it into the net to score his first goal of the season.
Hernández spoke on the goal he found near the end of the match.
“I was in the right place at the right time and just stuck to the fundamentals with my shot,” said Hernández. “I’m glad I was able to score it and get us a point.”
With a bye week for Velocity FC coming up, Coach Veidman spoke on the importance of the rest period the team will have.
“The bye week will give us a few days to refresh mentally and physically to get preparedfor the final stretch,” said Veidman.
Velocity FC’s next match is on September 16th against Union Omaha on the road. That match is set for a 10:00 AM PT kickoff, with
streaming available on ESPN+.
The Lads’ next home match will be on September 20th against Athletic Club Boise. It will be a can’t miss match between the budding rivals, so get your tickets now at USLSpokane.com and support the Lads as they continue their third season in League One!
