SPOKANE, WA — Spokane Velocity FC settled for a 3-3 draw against Hearts of Pine on Saturday after conceding three goals in the second half.
Velocity FC Head Coach Leigh Veidman reflected on Saturday’s match.
“We started the 2nd half far too slow and let Portland in a game that should have been out of touch,” said Veidman. “In saying that, I am very proud of the players and staff. To come out of this week with seven points after the travel we have had is huge.”
It was a sluggish start to the match for both sides, with neither being able to get a shot on target in the first 20 minutes. Portland forward Walter Varela almost connected on a goal in the 21st minute, sending a shot from outside the box that bounced off the right post.
Momentum quickly swung Spokane’s way, as the Lads rattled off two goals in one minute that propelled them to a 2-0 lead going into halftime. In the 38th minute, midfielder Nil Vinyals received a perfect touch pass inside the box from Joe Gallardo, knocking in a goal into the top left of the net.
Immediately after, Vinyals got the ball back in transition and gave forward Neco Brett a through ball behind Portland’s backline, with Brett scoring from the centre of the box in the 39th minute to give Velocity FC a commanding 2-0 lead.
Spokane’s avalanche continued in first half stoppage time, with Andre Lewis scoring in the 45th minute to increase his side’s lead to 3-0. Vinyals kickstarted the play by sending a cross from the far left side of the field to the center of the box that found Lewis wide open to fire a strike into the net.
Vinyals, who ended Saturday’s match with a goal and two assists, reflected on the performance.
“Happy to be back on the field and be able to contribute. We showed that when we play with personality we can dominate games and score goals,” said Vinyals. “Good week overall for the team, although we thought we deserved the nine points.”
Hearts of Pine got on the board in the 64th minute thanks to a goal from forward Felipe Rodriguez Gentile, who was assisted by Mattheo Kidd off a cross into the centre of the box. The goal broke Spokane’s two match clean sheet streak it had entering Saturday’s tilt.
Portland gained serious momentum after their first goal, with Aboubacar Camara scoring from outside the penalty box to pull Hearts of Pine within a goal of Spokane at 2-3. Camara intercepted an awry pass from Spokane’s Derek Waldeck, running in transition and sending a strike past goalkeeper Carlos Merancio.
In second half stoppage time, Portland earned a penalty kick that gave the visitors a chance at equalizing the match. Diego Gonzalez converted the penalty, completing Hearts of Pine’s comeback and forcing the sides to settle for a point each.
Coach Veidman spoke about the importance of next Sunday’s road match against One Knoxville SC.
“Now, we recover, learn from our lessons, and get ready for another long away trip versus Knox and Greenville,” said Veidman.
Before the match, Spokane’s captain Luis Gil and Andre Lewis were honored by Coach Veidman and the team for reaching 100 matches played with Velocity FC all-time. Lewis spoke on what it meant to him to be honored for that feat as the first player in club history to reach the century mark.
“First of all, I want to thank Leigh for putting his trust in me from year one until now,” said Lewis. It’s been three great years as you can see, making back to back finals. This team has become my family outside of Jamaica and all of that starts with Leigh.”
Next up, the Lads will head down south for a road match against One Knoxville SC on Sunday, October 11. Kickoff is slated for 12 PM PT with streaming available on ESPN+. Watch the match on the big screen with fellow Velocity FC supporters at Flatstick Pub during the Socctoberfest Bear & Gear sale! Enjoy up to 60% off team gear, 99 cent wings, a Velocity drink menu, and more!
Velocity FC’s last regular season home match will be on Saturday, October 17 against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. It’s Fan Appreciation Night, and we’re celebrating the incredible supporters who make this team possible! Don’t miss your chance to cheer on the Lads as they gear up for the playoffs. Get your tickets today at Velocity FC Single Match Tickets – USL Spokane and be part of the action!
