Velocity

NonStop Local KHQ/SWX will broadcast 14 home and away Spokane Velocity FC games this season, while KREM 2/KSKN 22 will broadcast 6 home games. In total, 20 matches will air on these trusted stations for local fans.   

The only home match not broadcast locally will be Velocity FC vs. Union Omaha on September 4 which will be covered by CBS Sports Network national broadcast.    

“The Eastern Washington and North Idaho Spokane Velocity FC fan will be able to directly view home and away matches from the comfort of their living room through our two local linear partners in KREM 2/KSKN 22 and NonStop Local KHQ/SWX,” remarked Tate Kelly, the Vice President of Partnerships for USL Spokane. 

These regional broadcasts will increase accessibility to Velocity FC’s home and away games, allowing supporters to tune in when they are not in attendance.      

“I am personally very thankful to John Fritz and Jason Ramsey at NonStop Local KHQ/SWX for seeing the value to deliver regionally the area’s first professional men’s soccer club. Viewership options through NonStop Local KHQ/SWX will be a natural fit for our growing fanbase,” Kelly stated.  

NonStop Local KHQ/SWX and KREM 2/KSKN 22 airing Velocity FC matches will connect the local community to the players and coaches, creating fan and team growth.  

“RJ Merritt and his team at KREM 2/KSKN 22 have been believers in what we are building for the soccer community for quite some time now. Our values are aligned to deliver a professional level soccer broadcast to the region for the next 2 years. We are grateful that KREM 2/KSKN 22 will help grow our fan base over the coming years,” said Kelly.  

KREM 2/KSKN 22 and NonStop Local KHQ/SWX are airing Velocity FC matches through the 2025 season. Velocity FC and these local stations will discuss renewal after the two years have passed. 

NonStop Local KHQ/SWX will conduct an exclusive segment with Velocity coaches and players each month, enabling fans to learn more about the team and recent games. In addition, KREM 2/KSKN 22 will host a KREM 2/KSKN 22 Night at one Velocity match.  

NonStop Local KHQ/SWX – 2024 Season: 

HOME
3/16/24 – Home Opener between Spokane and Richmond. Live SWX
4/27/24 – Spokane vs. Central Valley. Live SWX
5/19/24 – Spokane vs. Forward Madison. Live SWX
6/23/24 – Spokane vs. Lexington. Live SWX
9/7/24 – Spokane vs. Central Valley – TBD KHQ or SWX
9/14/24 – Spokane vs. Tormenta FC – TBD KHQ or SWX
10/12/24 – Spokane vs. Greenville – TBD KHQ or SWX
10/26/24 – Spokane vs. Knoxville – TBD KHQ or SWX

AWAY
4/20/24 – Spokane at Richmond. Live SWX
6/13/24 – Spokane at Union Omaha. Live SWX
8/3/24 – Spokane at South Georgia. Live SWX
8/29/24 – Spokane at Richmond. Live. SWX
9/21/24 – Spokane at Forward Madison. Taped Delayed after Football TBD – SWX
10/2/24 – Spokane at Union Omaha. Live SWX

KREM 2/KSKN 22 – 2024 Season: 

HOME
3/23/24 – Spokane vs. Northern Colorado. Live KSKN 22
5/11/24 – Spokane vs. Union Omaha. Live KREM 2
5/25/24 – Spokane vs. Greenville Triumph SC. Live KSKN 22
7/6/24 – Spokane vs. Chattanooga. Live KSKN 22
7/27/24 – Spokane vs. Charlotte Independence. Live KSKN 22
8/13/24 – Spokane vs. Northern Colorado. Live KSKN 22

An energized crowd of more than 1,000 strong showed up to Lampson Stadium in Kennewick on a cold, blustery afternoon for a unique opportunity to view professional soccer in the Tri-Cities. They were fortified by a bus load of 509 Syndicate members trying out newly created chants and pounding their drums, as well as local fans rooting for Christopher Aquino, a Pasco native and former Three Rivers Soccer Club member playing for the Tacoma Defiance.  

In an outing serving as Velocity head coach Leigh Veidman’s final opportunity to assess his squad ahead of the club’s first game in their inaugural season, the club was defeated 3-1 by the Tacoma Defiance – an MLS Next Pro club of the Seattle Sounders. 

“It was a good day to see where we are as a group, as a team, how our identity is evolving,” Veidman said after the game. “It’s just an opportunity to see how we react to certain situations within a game. 2-1 down, you know, the free kick that we gave away that they scored off with 30 seconds left in the first half. Can we manage that situation a little bit differently? So, yeah, it was a lot of lessons learned today.”

Veidman also noted the inclusion of two players who only joined the club for training in recent days. “It also gave us a good opportunity to see some new guys we’ve now got in market. You can see Javier Martin Gil’s quality, you can see Andre Lewis’s quality and they’ve not trained with us yet. Andre’s had one training session, so both of them still really need to train and understand how we want to play, but individually, you can see their quality.”

The Defiance enjoyed the majority of clear chances in the game, including two goals from set pieces. The first was from a corner in the 28th minute and they added a third 10 minutes into the second half from the run of play.

Despite the result and the cold weather, a bus carrying more than 40 members of the Velocity FC supporters group, the 509 Syndicate, traveled from Spokane to Kennewick to see their team play for the first time. This first public preseason match for Velocity was hosted by the Three Rivers Soccer Club of Pasco.

Midfielder Luis Gil, a veteran player who started and played all 90 minutes for Velocity FC, took a positive view about the opportunities to improve from the performance.

“You know, considering the conditions and stuff like that,” Gil said. “You can tell that there’s moments where we looked really good and then some moments where we showed some weaknesses, but that’s all part of the preseason as well. This is our first season together with a lot of guys getting mixed in late in the preseason. It’s gonna take us some time, but some of the things look really good out there.”

Before the game, the 509 Syndicate practiced a chant in the event Velocity FC earned a penalty. In the 38th minute, they had their chance. Gil first drew and then converted a penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way to level the game at 1-1. It was 45 degrees with a 15-20 mile per hour wind most of the game, making life difficult for a Spokane team who looked to send in crosses to their striker, Josh Dolling.

Following the match, there was opportunity for fans to meet players and get autographs. Defender Ahmed Longmire, goalkeeper Carlos Merancio and others greeted smiling local kids and signed their jerseys and other items. Despite the weather, the 509 also kept their spirits high with cheers and chants going on until their bus left back to Spokane. 

Next up for Spokane Velocity FC will be their first-ever game in USL League One as they travel to South Carolina to take on the Greenville Triumph this Saturday, March 9.

Don’t miss the watch party for Velocity FC’s first-ever regular season match at Brick West Brewing Co.

Velocity FC to make first-ever U.S. Open Cup appearance vs. Ballard FC on March 20, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium Seattle.

United Soccer League to Field 47 Clubs in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Get your tickets here!

The United Soccer League today confirmed that 47 USL teams will participate in the 2024
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, including all 36 USL men’s professional teams and the qualified 11 USL
men’s pre-professional clubs. This follows U.S. Soccer’s announcement of the finalized format for the
109th edition of the tournament.

“The USL has supported the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for nearly 30 years, and we are proud to be part
of it again in 2024,” said USL President Paul McDonough. “We applaud each of our 47 eligible clubs for
deciding to participate in this year’s Open Cup, despite being handed the option to decline. We
appreciate and share the fans’ passion for our country’s most historic and authentic competition, and
we look forward to watching the drama unfold over the course of the tournament.”

The U.S. Open Cup is U.S. Soccer’s club championship and has crowned a national champion annually
since 1914 (with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19). The historic tournament is
conducted on a single-game, knockout basis and open to all professional and amateur teams affiliated
with U.S. Soccer. It is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States and the
world’s third-longest continuously run national cup tournament.

The First Round of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup will consist of 32 games with 32 amateur clubs from the
Open Division meeting 32 professional teams from Division III.

USL League Two, part of the Open Division, will be represented by 11 clubs who qualified through their
regular season performance in the 2023 season. USL League One, the preeminent Division III league in
the country, will see all 12 clubs participate as part of the 32 professional teams in the First Round.
The 32 winners of the First Round will be paired up and face each other in the Second Round.

The 16 Second Round winners will then be matched up in the Third Round with 16 teams from the USL
Championship, the top tier of the USL pyramid. These 16 USL Championship teams will be determined
based on sporting merit through the USL Championship Players’ Shield standings.

The eight Third Round winners will advance to the Round of 32, where they will square off against the
remaining eight USL Championship teams, including defending league title-holders Phoenix Rising FC
and Players’ Shield winners Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and eight teams from Major League Soccer.
For a full list of the USL clubs participating and the schedule for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
competition windows, please see below.

2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule
First Round: Tuesday, March 19 – Thursday, March 21
Second Round: Tuesday, April 2 – Wednesday, April 3
Third Round: Tuesday, April 16 – Wednesday, April 17
Round of 32: Tuesday, May 7 – Wednesday, May 8
Round of 16: Tuesday, May 21 – Wednesday, May 22
Quarterfinal: Tuesday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 10
Semifinal: Tuesday, Aug. 27 – Wednesday, Aug. 28
Final: Wednesday, Sept. 25

USL Championship (All clubs. League champion (Phoenix Rising FC) and next seven best teams from
2023 Players’ Shield overall standings enter in the Round of 32)

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!

When soccer fans head to USL Spokane matches at ONE Spokane Stadium in Washington this spring, they will be greeted by LED video displays from Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota. The installation of a main video display and pitch-level displays is currently underway and will be ready to inform and entertain Spokane Zephyr FC and Spokane Velocity fans at every match.

The field-level LED is a particularly exciting addition to ONE Spokane Stadium, said Mac Graff, USL Spokane’s manager of partnership fulfillment.

“It stretches across 80 percent of the east sideline,” Graff said. “USL Spokane will be one of few with this quality of field-level LED at their home pitch. Add that to the top-notch Daktronics video board that sits atop the stadium and we’re going to be able to do so much with fan engagement and experience, game-day displays, and local partner development. It’s going to be great!”

LED Display Details

The video display will measure 20.5 feet high by 36 feet wide and will feature 10-millimeter pixel spacing to deliver high-quality images, videos, statistics, graphics and sponsor messaging to fans throughout ONE Spokane Stadium.

The pitch-perimeter display will measure approximately 2.5 feet high by 246 feet long and feature 10-millimeter pixel spacing. This will allow for supplemental information to the main display while also allowing the opportunity to highlight sponsors throughout events with their branding directly next to the live action.

“This project helps highlight Daktronics’ ability to bring a stadium to life with LED technology while also ensuring ONE Spokane Stadium is a complete entertainment destination for their tenants and fans,” said Daktronics Regional Manager Brady Jacobsen. “We’re thrilled to be a part of this project and look forward to this stadium bringing joy and entertainment to soccer fans in the Northwest for years to come.”

Daktronics has grown with the sports industry from the company’s beginnings in 1968. Today, the company has integrated LED super systems in more than 50% of all professional sports facilities in the United States and Canada. For more information on what Daktronics can provide, visit www.daktronics.com/professionalsports.

USL Spokane is launching a new fan app that will serve as the mobile center for all things professional soccer in Spokane – both Spokane Zephyr FC and Spokane Velocity FC. Look for the launch next week on our social media channels! 

The app will allow fans to receive push notifications (if they wish), get the latest team news, check out  schedules, purchase and download tickets right from their phones, and shop for merch from the club’s online store.  

And, fans who download the app prior to Velocity’s match on March 23 vs. Northern Colorado have a chance to win an official jersey signed by players and receive a 10% off merchandise coupon code valid for one time use, through the end of March. *some exclusions apply

“This new app is going to help our fans stay connected with the teams and all the action this season,” said Dave Sonntag, Vice President of Marketing and Communications with USL Spokane. “During matches, fans can use the app to enter giveaways and submit photos for fan cam displays on the stadium’s big, beautiful LED scoreboard. There also will be live scoring updates and details about starting lineups, injuries, and post-match statistics. It’s super cool and we’re happy to have it ready for fans before the first match on March 9.” 

The app will include the latest headlines from both Velocity FC and Zephyr FC, statistics, schedule, and stadium information for fans going to the match in person, and so much more.  

Fans will be able to download the app to Apple or Android devices. More Details coming soon!

Don’t miss out app launch. Be sure you are following us on socials! Velocity FC | Zephyr FC

Don’t miss out on the fun! Join us at Brick West Brewing for Spokane Velocity FC’s first ever Watch Party!

Who- Spokane Velocity FC take on Greenville United

What- Come for a game watch, prizes, koozies, and enter for a chance to win tickets or even 2 VIP and pregame pitch experience passes! *Participants must be present at the watch party to win

When-Saturday March 9th at 4 PM

Where- Brick West Brewing Co.

Abby Woodside, Gonzaga University ’24

When the U.S. Women’s National Team walked into Giants Stadium for the 1999 World Cup in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 78,000 cheering fans, neither the fans nor players had any idea just how big an impact this game and this team would have on soccer.  

Spokane is about to experience a similar historic moment on March 16 when Spokane Velocity FC takes the pitch for their home opener. This will be the first-ever professional soccer match played in Spokane.  

This is certain to be a professional sports experience like none other with a packed ONE Spokane Stadium and the launch of new traditions that will “wow” fans. An overhead drone photo will capture this groundbreaking game before the first kick. This print will become a commemorative giveaway item for fans who present their home opener ticket stub at the USL Spokane Team Store.

Just like the 1999 Women’s World Cup team propelled and advanced soccer within America, Spokane Zephyr FC, and Velocity FC are positioned to influence and expand soccer in Spokane, and nationwide  

Soccer has been percolating in Spokane since the 1950s when Karl Hoffman recruited a group of friends to start a team. At this point, the Inland Northwest was unfamiliar with soccer, but Hoffman’s team began to spread the sport.  

This squad became the Spokane Spokes, who practiced on Gonzaga University’s old football field and played against the preliminary GU soccer team.  

Members of this groundbreaking squad will attend the opening Velocity FC match.  

Now, the sport of soccer has grown to include more than 20 Spokane youth soccer programs and camps, but these young aspiring soccer players have not had local professional teams or players to look up to until now.  

Velocity FC and Zephyr FC will be that missing piece. “To grow up and witness professional sports in their area is going to be incredible. It’s going to inspire kids,” commented Silje Squires, Vice President of the Gonzaga University Kennel Club.  

Katie and Ryan Harnetiaux, the owners of Velocity FC and Zephyr FC, have held inspiration and community support at the heart of creating these teams from the very beginning.  

Following these values, Spokane Velocity FC is excited to recognize  local youth soccer players and hometown soccer heroes at their first matches. 

There will be group nights throughout the year recognizing individuals who make our community safe and strong including healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, veterans and members of the military, and more. USL Spokane is also working to involve local talent on game days, including national anthem singers. If you are interested in participating in this inaugural season, don’t hesitate to contact USL Spokane.  

Along with community support, Jamie Bartlett, leader of the 509 Syndicate supporter group, believes economic growth will follow the teams. 

“Every game weekend, we will bring people in from the surrounding areas into downtown, and that can be really exciting as far as normal economic development,” noted Bartlett.

The economic benefits are already underway through the construction of ONE Spokane Stadium and the many partnerships with local businesses and industries the club has announced over the past couple months.  

 Incredible time and investment by soccer pioneers, fans like those in the 509 Syndicate, area youth players, coaches and leaders, Spokane business leaders, Spokane Public Schools, the Public Facilities District, and USL Spokane have led to this monumental time for Spokane.  

“There were many times over the last two years that I dreamt about this moment. The fact that Spokane’s professional soccer team is about to hit the pitch, in an amazing stadium on the river in the middle of downtown is literally a dream come true,” said Katie Harnetiaux, President and Co-Owner of USL Spokane. 

The growth and impact of professional soccer in Spokane is immeasurable. Who knows, maybe Spokane will become a nationwide meca for soccer like it has become for basketball (Hoopfest) and running (Bloomsday and The Boulevard Race). The best is certainly yet to come! . 

Do you have your tickets for the home opener on March 16? Secure them now!

USL and Spokane Velocity FC Announce National TV Schedule 

Spokane Velocity FC will appear on CBS Sports Network national television on September 4, 2024 when the club squares up with Union Omaha FC at 6 p.m. PST.  

Earlier today, USL League One announced the renewal of its contract with ESPN. Between CBS, ESPN, ESPN+ and local network partnerships soon to be announced, fans will have access to view every Velocity home and away match this season. 

The United Soccer League released today the national television broadcast schedule for the 2024 USL Championship and USL League One seasons. Velocity FC’s appearance on CBS Sports Network is one of two USL League One matches on CBS. 

This season sees a record number of national broadcasts for the USL. ESPN will stream more than 400 USL Championship (Division II) and USL League One (Division III) matches per season and air a minimum of 10 matches on its cable networks. ESPN will also have exclusive rights to League One’s new in-season cup competition. Between the ESPN and CBS deals, 35 USL matches will air nationally on linear channels, up from nine in 2023. Partnerships with these marquee national broadcast companies promise to elevate Velocity to local, national, and global audiences.   

The Velocity’s matchup vs. Union Omaha on CBS Sports Network is an opportunity to showcase strong fan support (Velocity leads the league in season ticket membership heading into the season), the club’s new home, ONE Spokane Stadium, and the vibrancy of downtown Spokane. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST.  

Vice President of Spokane Velocity, Phil Harrison, expressed his enthusiasm stating, “Plan now to be in a packed ONE Spokane Stadium September 4 to showcase what pro soccer in Spokane is all about! You can bet we will have some special celebrations going on that evening.” 

“We’re thrilled to be with our national broadcast partners ESPN and CBS. As a part of the fastest-growing sports league in America, USL Spokane couldn’t be prouder to collaborate with two of the most outstanding sports broadcasting partners in the business,” continued Harrison. 

Three more ESPN broadcasts will be announced later, and the 2024 USL Playoffs broadcast schedule will be announced after the regular season. In the coming days, USL Spokane will announce local coverage of matches this season. 

View the full USL Championship and League One national television schedules.

Want to watch Spokane Velocity FC in person? Check out our tickets page!

United Soccer League and ESPN Renew Multiyear Broadcasting Agreement for USL Championship and
USL League One

The United Soccer League and ESPN today announced a new multi-year media rights agreement
that will see more than 400 live matches per year of the USL Championship and USL League One
air on ESPN platforms, starting in 2024.

“As we enter a new era for the USL with the 2026 World Cup approaching, our focus is to provide fans
more ways to watch than ever before and be the most widely available soccer league in our
country,” said Chief Commercial Officer Court Jeske. “We have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with
ESPN during which the USL has grown significantly, and we are incredibly excited to continue this
relationship.”

The 2024 season marks the ninth year of USL matches on ESPN, making the league the longest-running
professional soccer organization currently featured on ESPN platforms. The USL was one of the first
properties available on ESPN+ when the streaming service launched in 2018.

As part of the agreement, ESPN will be the exclusive home of the inaugural League One cup
competition, with all group-stage matches, playoffs, and the final available to stream on ESPN+. The
World Cup-style competition takes place throughout the year and creates additional matches of
consequence in the annual calendar. It features non-traditional modifications that encourage attacking
soccer and provide entertaining moments for fans. These include the use of penalty kicks to decide tied
matches throughout the tournament and total goals scored as the first standings tiebreaker. Additional
information on the cup competition can be found here.

The renewed agreement with ESPN completes the USL’s media package heading into the 2024 season,
which includes CBS Sports and local linear partnerships. The USL will air 35 matches on national linear
television between CBS Sports channels and ESPN networks, up from nine last season.
The full national TV broadcast schedule will be announced in the coming days.

In addition to national linear and streaming partners, the USL has retained flexibility for clubs to air a
significant number of local linear broadcasts, giving fans more ways than ever to support their club.
The 2024 season sees the addition of first-year clubs Rhode Island FC in the USL Championship and
Spokane Velocity FC in USL League One.

The 2024 USL Championship regular season schedule can be found here. The 2024 USL League one
schedule can be found here.