Spokane Velocity

In March 2021, United Soccer League announced a proposal to build a 5,000-seat stadium in downtown Spokane to serve as home to a new USL League One club.{{cite web |author1=USLSoccer.com Staff |title=USL, Downtown Spokane Partnership Announce New Proposal for Downtown Stadium |url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1149618 |work=USLSoccer.com |language=en-us |date=March 2, 2021}} In May 2021, the Spokane Public School Board voted to approve the $31 million stadium project.{{cite web |title=Spokane Public Schools board votes to build new stadium downtown |date=May 5, 2021 |url=https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/spokane-public-schools-board-approves-downtown-stadium/293-e8a0ee6b-81af-42c8-8c33-027ac1b0c629 |publisher=KREM |access-date=May 23, 2021}}{{cite web |author=USLLeagueOne.com Staff |title=New Downtown Spokane Stadium Development Approved by Public School Board |url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1162290 |publisher=USL League One |access-date=May 23, 2021 |language=en-us |date=May 5, 2021}} In December 2021, the Spokane Public Facilities District met with USL and MLS Next Pro officials over which league would place a team at the city-run stadium.{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Jim |date=December 13, 2021 |title=MLS or USL? Decision on professional soccer is up to the Spokane Public Facilities District |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/dec/13/mls-or-usl-its-up-to-the-pfd/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=August 5, 2022}}

On October 7, 2022, the club announced their new ownership group, Aequus Sports, LLC (led by Ryan and Katie Harnetiaux) as well as that their men's team would start play in USL League One in 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.kxly.com/united-soccer-league-announces-addition-of-mens-team-to-spokane-club/ |title=United Soccer League announces addition of men's team to Spokane club |first=Erin |last=Robertson |publisher=KXLY-TV |date=October 7, 2022 |access-date=October 7, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1242451 |title=New USL Spokane Ownership Introduced to Community |publisher=USL League One |date=October 7, 2022 |access-date=October 7, 2022}} The club announced a partnership with Capelli Sport on June 21, 2023, making them their exclusive uniform, equipment, and training apparel provider.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2023 |title=USL Spokane |url=https://capellisport.com/blogs/news/usl-spokane |access-date=July 16, 2023 |publisher=Capelli Sport}} The official team name, Spokane Velocity FC, and crest were announced at a launch event on July 21, 2023. On November 15, 2023, Charleston Battery assistant coach Leigh Veidman was named Spokane Velocity's first-ever head coach.{{cite news |last=Reed |first=Justin |date=November 15, 2023 |title=Leigh Veidman announced as first Spokane Velocity FC head coach |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/nov/15/leigh-veidman-announced-as-first-spokane-velocity-/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=February 25, 2024}}

On December 20, 2023, Spokane Velocity signed its first two players, midfielder Morgan Hackworth and defender Derek Waldeck.{{Cite web |last=None |date=2023-12-21 |title=Spokane Velocity FC signs first two players in club history |url=https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2023/dec/21/spokane-velocity-fc-signs-first-two-players-in-club-history/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Bonner County Daily Bee |language=en}} The club signed veteran midfielder Luis Gil, a former MLS and United States national team player, on January 22, 2024.{{Cite web |author=USLLeagueOne com Staff |date=2024-01-23 |title=MLS, Liga MX veteran Luis Gil joins Spokane for 15th professional season |url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1297817 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=USL League One |language=en-us}}

The club's inaugural match was a 3–1 loss to Greenville Triumph SC played on March 9, 2024, at Paladin Stadium in South Carolina. Josh Dolling scored the first goal in Velocity FC history—a penalty kick taken in the 13th minute.{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Ethan |date=March 9, 2024 |title=Spokane Velocity start fast, but lose inaugural match 3–1 to Greenville Triumph |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/mar/09/spokane-velocity-start-fast-but-lose-inaugural-mat/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=March 10, 2024}} The Velocity's first-ever home match at One Spokane Stadium on March 16 was a 2–1 victory against the Richmond Kickers in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,086.{{cite news |last=Reed |first=Justin |date=March 16, 2024 |title='The atmosphere was phenomenal': Spokane Velocity start party early during 2–1 home-opening win over Richmond |url= https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/mar/16/the-atmosphere-was-phenomenal-spokane-velocity-sta/ |work=The Spokesman-Review}} The club entered the 2024 U.S. Open Cup and won their first cup match against Ballard FC, the defending USL League Two champions, on March 20 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle.{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=March 20, 2024 |title=Ballard FC falls to Spokane Velocity in U.S. Open Cup after late controversy |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/soccer/ballard-fc-falls-to-spokane-velocity-in-u-s-open-cup-after-late-controversy/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=March 21, 2024}}

Spokane were the third expansion team in USL League One history to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season, doing so on October 12, 2024.{{Cite web |title=Velocity clinches playoff berth but falls short against Triumph |url=https://www.uslspokane.com/news/2024/10/12/velocity-clinches-playoff-berth-but-falls-short-against-triumph/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=USL Spokane |language=en-US}} The team won 3-0 in its first-ever playoff match against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC on November 2.{{Cite news |date=2024-11-02 |title=Spokane Velocity FC's Inaugural Season Continues After Playoff Win |url=https://www.swxlocalsports.com/spokane/soccer/spokane-velocity-fcs-inaugural-season-continues-after-playoff-win/article_067715fa-99a1-11ef-8288-97d44345a9b1.html |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=Nonstop Local SWX Sports |language=en}} The Velocity then defeated Forward Madison FC in a penalty shootout to decide the semifinals and clinch their place in the USL League One championship match. They were the lowest seed to qualify for the title match and the second expansion team to do so in their inaugural season.{{Cite web |author=USLLeagueOne com Staff |date=2024-11-09 |title=Spokane Velocity FC becomes second expansion side to advance to USL League One Final in inaugural season |url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1323314 |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=USL League One |language=en-us}} The team lost 3–0 to Union Omaha and finished as runners-up in the playoffs.{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Colton |date=November 17, 2024 |title=Spokane Velocity outmatched by Union Omaha in USL1 championship 3-0; remain 'proud of what we achieved this year' |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/nov/17/spokane-velocity-outmatched-by-union-omaha-in-usl1/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=March 3, 2025}}

File:Velocity Home Opener.jpg on March 16, 2024.]]

Spokane Velocity play its home matches at ONE Spokane Stadium, located in downtown Spokane next to The Podium and the Spokane Arena. It has a capacity of 5,000 and can expand to 12,000 with on-field seating.

The venue was competed in September 2023 and plays host to Velocity-affiliated club Spokane Zephyr, along with Spokane Public Schools high-school football games and events including concerts and comedy shows. The capacity was reached during Spokane Velocity's home opener in March 2024.{{Cite web |title='The atmosphere was phenomenal': Spokane Velocity start party early during 2-1 home-opening win over Richmond {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/mar/16/the-atmosphere-was-phenomenal-spokane-velocity-sta/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=www.spokesman.com}}

The team's name and crest were unveiled on July 21, 2023. Both reference the Spokane River, which runs through Downtown Spokane and passes near One Spokane Stadium. The crest features four vertical blue bars that represent the river's waterfalls, while the "Velocity" wordmark above is shaped similar to a simplified version of the Monroe Street Bridge.{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Jim |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Spokane's United Soccer League team debuts 'Velocity FC' name, logo |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jul/21/spokanes-united-soccer-league-team-debuts-velocity/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=July 21, 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Spokane Velocity |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Our Crest |url=https://www.spokanevelocityfc.com/our-crest/ |access-date=July 22, 2023 |publisher=Spokane Velocity}} The Velocity's official colors are named basalt, impact blue, and river rapid white.{{cite news |last=Craven |first=Brock |date=December 19, 2023 |title=Spokane Velocity FC releases first look of inaugural jerseys! |url=https://www.swxlocalsports.com/spokane/pro/spokane-velocity/spokane-velocity-fc-releases-first-look-of-inaugural-jerseys/article_ddde51e2-9ed5-11ee-9463-9f78d0a0c472.html |publisher=SWX Right Now |accessdate=February 25, 2024}}

The team's largest supporters' group is the 509 Syndicate, which organizes a march to the match through Riverfront Park to One Spokane Stadium.{{cite news |last=Hyun |first=Nathan |date=March 17, 2024 |title=Thousands of fans bring the energy to Spokane Velocity's first home game |url=https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/washington/spokane-velocitys-first-home-game-fans/293-f0fdbeda-961c-413d-a562-f59ed6c1d28c |publisher=KREM 2 |accessdate=March 22, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Know Before You Go |url=https://www.spokanevelocityfc.com/know-before-you-go/ |publisher=Spokane Velocity FC |accessdate=March 22, 2024}} The 509 Syndicate takes part in drumming and chanting during each match, and stand behind the goal at the south end of the stadium. Their mascot is the "Goats", a reference to the Garbage Goat sculpture in Riverfront Park.{{cite news |last=Pete |first=Olive |date=July 30, 2024 |title='A different sense of belonging': In Hooptown USA, the 509 Syndicate creates a community for soccer |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jul/30/a-different-sense-of-belonging-in-hooptown-usa-the/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=March 3, 2025}}

Local Spokane television stations KHQ/SWX broadcast a selection of Velocity matches throughout the season. Similarly, KREM 2/KSKN 22 cover some home matches. The club's matches have also been televised on CBS Sports Network as part of a national contract with USL League One.{{Cite web |title=NonStop Local KHQ/SWX and KREM 2/KSKN 22 to Broadcast Spokane Velocity FC Games |url=https://www.uslspokane.com/news/2024/03/07/fourteen-velocity-fc-2024-home-games-will-be-aired-on-krem-and-khq-swx-to-be-enjoyed-by-local-fans/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=USL Spokane |language=en-US}} With a couple of exceptions, all USL League One matches are streamed on ESPN+.{{Cite web |author=USLSoccer com Staff |date=2024-02-27 |title=United Soccer League and ESPN Renew Multiyear Broadcasting Agreement for USL Championship and USL League One |url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1301942 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=USL Championship |language=en-us}}

{{main|Spokane Zephyr FC}}

In June 2021, Spokane was named as one of the founding cities of the USL W League, a women's league that began play in 2022.{{cite web |date=June 23, 2021 |title=United Soccer League Announces Addition of a W League Team in Spokane |url=https://www.uslspokane.com/blogs/news/united-soccer-league-announces-addition-of-a-w-league-team-in-spokane |access-date=July 7, 2021 |publisher=USL Spokane}} The team is set to join W League for the 2024 season, along with the completion of One Spokane Stadium.{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2022 |title=New USL Spokane Ownership Introduced to Community |url=https://www.uslwleague.com/news_article/show/1242451 |access-date=July 16, 2023 |publisher=USL W League}}

Spokane's ownership announced in October 2022 that they wanted to bring professional women's soccer to the city. A women's team representing Spokane in the USL Super League was announced in May 2023. It will be owned by the USL Spokane ownership group and begin play in August 2024, sharing their home stadium with the men's team and W League team.{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Jim |date=May 16, 2023 |title=Spokane gets top-tier USL women's soccer team |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/may/16/spokane-gets-top-tier-usl-womens-soccer-team/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=May 16, 2023}} The team name was announced in November 2023, as Spokane Zephyr FC.{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2023 |title=New Women's Spokane Soccer team name revealed |url=https://www.krem.com/article/sports/soccer/spokane-womens-soccer-zephyr/293-de05a98b-5795-4bf8-b32b-208283a96cb1 |access-date=November 5, 2023 |publisher=KREM}} The club held their first match, which ended in a 1–1 with Fort Lauderdale United FC, at a sold-out One Spokane Stadium on August 17, 2024.{{Cite web |title=Zephyr Earns Draw Against Fort Lauderdale in Inaugural Season Opener |url=https://www.uslspokane.com/news/2024/08/17/zephyr-earns-draw-against-fort-lauderdale-in-inaugural-season-opener/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=USL Spokane |language=en-US}}

{{updated|October 18, 2024}}

{{updated|March 21, 2024|{{cite web|url=https://www.spokanevelocityfc.com/news/2024/06/21/velocity-fc-signs-29-year-old-ish-jome/ |title=Velocity FC Signs 29-year-old Ish Jome |publisher=USL Spokane |date=June 21, 2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}}}

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{{Cnote2|A|group=1|n=1|USL Academy Contract}}

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{{updated|November 10, 2024|{{cite web|url=https://www.spokanevelocityfc.com/news/2024/06/21/velocity-fc-signs-29-year-old-ish-jome/ |title=Velocity FC Signs 29-year-old Ish Jome |publisher=USL Spokane |date=June 21, 2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024}}}}

{{note|1}}1. Top Scorer includes all goals scored in regular season, league playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, and other competitive continental matches.

Includes USL Regular Season, USL Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, and USL Jagermeister Cup. Excludes friendlies.{{Cite web |title=2024 Velocity FC Schedule |url=https://www.uslspokane.com/velocity-fc-schedule/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=USL Spokane |language=en-US}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://www.spokanevelocityfc.com/}}

{{USL League One}}

{{Washington Sports}}

Category:Soccer clubs in Washington (state)

Category:Association football clubs established in 2021

Category:2021 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:USL League One teams

Category:Sports in Spokane, Washington