Spokane Velocity FC Advances to Round Three of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament

By: Henry Krueger, Gonzaga University ‘25

Despite its starting lineup featuring several new faces, Spokane Velocity FC’s 1-0 victory in the U.S. Open Cup was decided by its usual playmaker, Luis Gil.

While Andre Lewis’s shot attempt did get deflected by LA Force’s goalkeeper, Luis Gil ran in and buried the go-ahead goal in minute 85 thus securing the win over LA Force. This epic conclusion moves Spokane Velocity on to the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

“It was a great strike by Andre, forcing the keeper to make a save, and I was right there at the same spot, same time and it fell to me,” Gil said. “At the end of the day, you have to put the ball in the net no matter how, and that is what’s going to make us move on to the next round.”

Although Gil started the match, head coach Leigh Veidman switched up his typical lineup, with regular contributors Josh Dolling, Collin Fernandez, Ahmed Longmire and Derek Waldeck coming off the bench.

Veidman also replaced Velocity FC’s usual goalkeeper Carlos Merancio with Peter Swinkels, who last started during Velocity’s 1-0 first-round win over Ballard FC in Seattle on March 20.

Swinkels recorded his second clean sheet of the season, playing all 90 minutes and saving the Force’s only shot on target. He was named the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of the Match by Velocity FC.

“This is my first match at ONE Spokane Stadium, so it was a very special moment for me to play in front of these incredible fans,” Swinkels said. “And the team made it very easy for me tonight.”

Velocity FC got off to a quick start, controlling most of the early possession and putting pressure on the Force’s back line. However, the club’s aggressive attack only led to one shot in the first 20 minutes.

It seemed Velocity had a breakthrough in minute 26 when Morgan Hackworth delivered a well-placed pass through the defense to Elijah Amadin on the left wing. Amadin crossed the ball to Michael Rojas, but the play was broken up by a Force defender.

Velocity had another close chance in minute 41 after Camron Miller delivered a cross to Kimarni Smith, who’s header was secured by Force goalkeeper Seth Torman.

As the first half went into stoppage time, LA Force had the ball inside of the 18-yard box before Michael Salazar took a shot that rolled into the hands of Swinkels, saving the ball.

Both teams went into halftime scoreless, despite Velocity controlling 73% of the possession and outshooting LA Force, 5 to 1.

Velocity continued to push the ball upfield in the second half, attempting six shots. The club finally got on the board with Gil’s goal, which sealed the win for Spokane.

“We didn’t know when exactly that moment would come, but we knew that if we stayed doing the right things and stayed positive that moment would come and luckily, Luis managed to find the net and get us into the next round,” said midfielder Jack Denton.

The victory advances Spokane Velocity FC to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the nation. The winner of the tournament will earn $300,000 in prize money, a berth in the 2025 Concacaf Champions League and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy.

“It’s awesome,” Gil said of the competition. “Any single tournament that comes at us, our goal is to win. This cup’s been around for so long. It’s a special moment and I feel like we got to take it very seriously and just get better.”

Spokane Velocity resumes USL League One action with road games against Lexington Sporting Club on April 14 and the Richmond Kickers on April 20.

In between those matches, Velocity advances to play their third-round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. More information regarding Spokane Velocity FC’s journey playing in the U.S Open Cup coming soon.