Three players with roots in Washington State will take the pitch for Spokane Velocity FC for their inaugural season in USL’s League One. Camron Miller, a 6’4” defender from Snohomish and Michael Rojas, a 5’8” midfielder from Othello were both signed (pending league and federation approval) to season-long contracts after impressing Velocity head coach Leigh Veidman as trialists with the team.
Rojas will unite with teammate Derek Waldeck to represent the 509 area code, a fullback who lived in Ellensburg, Wash. until he was in 8th grade. Waldeck was one of the first two players signed by Velocity FC in December of last year.
The sports community in Spokane, along with members of the 509 Syndicate (a supporter’s group for both Velocity and Spokane Zephyr FC), had expressed hopes of homegrown talent from the tryouts making the cut.
“As a club, we are delighted that through our local tryouts we were able to identify local talent and show there is a pathway to the professional level,” said Veidman.
Veidman identified in particular the performance of Miller and Rojas in preseason games against USL Championship teams Sacramento Republic and 2023 champions Phoenix Rising.
“As an attacking player it’s important to produce, yet we require incredible amounts of work defensively,” Veidman said about Rojas. “Mikey shone in all of the above, specifically scoring against Sacramento and being a consistent threat in both games.”
Veidman was also upbeat about Miller. “Seeing Camron’s performances against Sacramento and Phoenix, it was evident he was ready to make the step. He fits the character and profile we are looking for and we are excited to see him develop and grow into his role.”
As a college player, Rojas was eager to play in his home state and was happy to be recruited by the University of Washington, where he played three seasons and graduated from before transferring to University of Massachusetts as a graduate student. Rojas says his favorite player is another lefty, Lionel Messi, and he dreams of going to Spain to see Barcelona play at Camp Nou.
“It’s definitely a great feeling. There’s still a bunch to learn but it’s super exciting,” said Rojas about the moment he found out he had earned a contract. “It’s been my dream since I was a little kid so I’m just glad that it’s finally happened. It’s especially nice since it’s the Spokane area because I’m familiarized with this whole area.”
Miller grew up idolizing another 6’4” center-back, three-time MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall, who played for the Seattle Sounders for six seasons. After playing four seasons of college soccer for three different colleges, the opportunity to play professionally within his home state was a key factor for Miller trying out for Velocity.
“Being part of a pro Washington team, I couldn’t dream of anything better than that,” Miller said. “The Sounders, obviously, like that’s the big thing when you’re growing up. It’s the MLS, but this is the next best thing in Washington for professional soccer. So I’m really happy.”
Miller and Rojas will look to be featured in the final preseason game of 2024 against the Sounders-affiliated MLS Next Pro team, Tacoma Defiance, at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick on Saturday, March 2 at 4 p.m.
Find the full 2024 Spokane Velocity FC roster here!
