By Henry Krueger, Gonzaga University ‘25
Spokane Velocity FC will resume action after its extended break on June 13 with a new addition to the squad, having signed 22-year-old Masango Akale.
The midfielder featured as a trialist in Velocity’s international friendly against C.D. Guadalajara U23 on June 2 at ONE Spokane Stadium. In the second half, Akale sent a cross over the middle to forward Kimarni Smith, who only needed one touch to score the go-ahead goal to secure a 2-1 victory.
Akale’s signing, pending league and federation approval, comes roughly a week after his impressive debut versus the Chivas. Other in-season additions to the squad have included 22-year-old goalkeeper Brooks Thompson, who is on a season-long loan from USL Championship’s Hartford Athletic, and Azriel Gonzalez, who joined from Championship’s Las Vegas Lights FC.
Akale, who is from Minneapolis, played for Cypriot First Division side Pafos FC with his older brother, Mukwelle Akale, from 2020 to 2022. Before that, the younger Akale gained familiarity with the Pacific Northwest as a product of the Portland Timbers Academy. Earlier this year he made four appearances with the Joy Athletic Club of the semi-pro National Premier Soccer League. On May 10, Akale scored three goals in an 8-0 rout of Superior City FC.
During his appearance in the friendly match versus Chivas de Guadalajara on June 2, where he wore a No. 30 jersey, Akale made a huge impression on both Velocity’s coaching staff and the club’s fans.
“The funny thing is I could hear the fans behind me shouting ‘Sign number 30!’ and ‘Give that kid a name on his shirt!’ So it was great Masango impressed the fans right away and we are happy to add him to the team,” said Velocity Head Coach Leigh Veidman. “Masango is a player that went somewhat under the radar, and we were fortunate enough to have him in market to train with the team and play against Chivas U23. He showed a lot of high-level football through the couple weeks he was here and then showed well in the Chivas game, which is what ultimately sealed the deal for him.”
Akale will join Velocity as it resumes Jägermeister Cup action with a road match against Union Omaha on June 13. The first chance for Velocity fans to watch Akale make his official home debut will be the team’s match against Lexington Sporting Club on June 23.
Under first-year head coach Veidman, Velocity has a 3-3-1 record and sits in seventh place in the USL League One standings. The club also has the second-best home attendance in the league with an average of 4,170 fans. Additionally, the club leads the league in season ticket sales and sponsorship sales.
