By Carolyn Lamberson
“FINALLY!!”
As the seven extra time minutes of the Spokane Velocity FC’s first home game ticked away to zero on a gloriously sunny day on Saturday, Jessica Prewitt of the 509 Syndicate raised her hands in the air and yelled “Finally!” at the top of her lungs.
Finally, she’d seen professional soccer in Spokane. Finally, Velocity FC played on their home turf of ONE Spokane Stadium. And won.
“This is just something that we’ve been waiting for so long to support. And we’re just so incredibly happy that Spokane came out to support the team,” Prewitt said, yelling over the 509 Syndicate’s boisterous band behind the stadium’s south goal. “And that we could just be one voice in that whole support. And obviously it’s just been an absolutely incredible experience to see this opening day.”
The 509 Syndicate, the supporters group of USL Spokane soccer, have been meeting for more than a year to prepare for this day. They created chants – VC! FC! – and spirit songs, including a riff on “When the Saints Go Marching In” called “When the Falls Come Crashing Down.” Before each home game, the group plans to gather at the Rotary Fountain in Riverfront Park an hour before the opening kick and march to the stadium, said Jamie Bartlett, co-founder and vice president of the 509 Syndicate.
The group and their band – an assortment of percussion instruments and a trumpet player – and a hardy bunch of Syndicators set up behind the south goal and chant, cheer and drum for the 90-plus minutes of each game.
“It’s going to be a lot of noise,” Bartlett said before the gang of soccer fans began their march Saturday. “We expect a loud, good time.”
The Syndicate’s mascot is inspired by Riverfront’s Park’s iconic Garbage Goat. Before every game, home or away, the Syndicate will feed the goat a meal of the opposing team’s logo.
“It’s going to be a weekly tradition,” Bartlett said.
Several hundred people on Saturday joined in the march, including many who peeled off from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade as it passed by a few yards away. The fans were of all ages, including 8-month-old William Hofer, who was on hand with his parents Bill and Brynn Hofer, and big sister ViVi, 5. Young William was wearing ear protection and an Adidas track suit in a color that was pretty close to Velocity’s Impact Blue. “They didn’t have a jersey that fit him,” his mom said.
The Hofers, both from Spokane, went on dates to see Seattle Sounders games during their college years in Seattle. They’re thrilled to be able to see professional soccer in their hometown.
“We loved this as a couple,” Brynn Hofer said. “Now we get to do it as a family. And to have it in our home city is so great.”
Ryan and Katie Harnetiaux, principals of Aequus Sports, the club’s ownership group, were thrilled with the march turnout.
“We didn’t know how many people would end up doing the march from downtown, but we love the 509 Syndicate,” Ryan Harnetiaux said. “And they’ve done an incredible job of supporting this day happening. We’re pumped!”
Once inside the stadium, fans headed to grab snacks, get some fresh Velocity merch and meet up with friends.
In the merch line, Ryan Smith stood all decked out in Velocity gear. His wife, Brayden, however, was ready to add to the scarf she picked up at the stadium that came with her season ticket member purchase. The couple stood in a long line to build her Velocity collection.
“I’m just super excited to have a professional soccer team in Spokane. I love going to Sounders games, so it’s awesome to have our own venue,” Ryan Smith said. “We’ve been excited for it since they announced that it was happening, and sort of saw the construction of everything, and it’s gotten us pumped.”
Before the game, the 509 Syndicate’s Bartlett said “My first hope is for a good goal.” She didn’t have to wait too long, as within the first four minutes defender Romain Métanire sent a shot over the outstretched hands of Richmond Kickers’ goalkeeper Pablo Jara.
The crowd – 5,086 strong – leaped to its feet with a deafening roar, and again 11 minutes later when Ahmed Longmire headed in a goal.
By halftime, it was clear the crowd was into the match. There were collective cheers to greet plays and groans for the scary ones. Treana Allen, former Gonzaga basketball star who now works with LandSpire, an investment group that is part of the Aequus investment group, was having a great time.
“This has been a great experience,” she said. “I think this is what we totally envisioned when looking at this opportunity, how it was going to bring the community together in an atmosphere that was family friendly. And not only that, there’s the product on the field. We’re up 2-1. What else can you ask for on opening day?”
It would remain 2-1 for the rest of the afternoon. The lag in scoring didn’t result in a lag of enthusiasm from the 509 Syndicate, who yelled, chanted and and sang until their voices were hoarse.
“Being here felt very reminiscent of being at an MLS game,” said Syndicate member Austin Prechtel. “It’s such a niche that needed to be filled.”
After time was up, Velocity players headed to the south goal to thank the Syndicate for their support, and the assembled fans beamed with joy. The players felt the crowd’s energy and appreciated it.
“It’s awesome. You could feel it from the warm-ups,” said midfielder Luis Gil in the post-game press conference. “The atmosphere from everybody, the energy, kind of gave us a boost, too. It was amazing to see, amazing to be a part of.”
Want to catch the next match? Head to our tickets page to be there is Saturday, March 23 as Velocity FC takes on Northern Colorado Hailstorm!
