The Spokane Soccer Show

We're still in disbelief, but THAT just happened.On Wednesday night, Spokane hosted a CONCACAF Champions League match and treated a record crowd to a Sounders FC victory over the Whitecaps at ONE Stadium. Meanwhile, Velocity FC advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open Cup and Zephyr FC put Brooklyn to the sword on a frigid Saturday evening. During this episode, Benji and Mike describe what was a surreal and historic moment for soccer in Spokane: the atmosphere in the stadium, the chaos (anxiety?!) of tracking two matches at the same time, and what's next for professional soccer in the Lilac City. They also shout out loads of people and organizations including Jeremiah Oshan of Sounder at Heart and Noah Riffe & Ari Liljenwall of the Lobbing Scorchers podcast.0:00 – A “fever dream” night for Spokane soccer2:25 – Sounders in Spokane: vibes, build-up & pregame scene9:00 – March to the Match & ONE Stadium atmosphere22:00 – Sounders vs Whitecaps: early chances & opening goal27:45 – Tracking TWO games at once: Velocity vs. VC Fusion in the Open Cup32:00 – Fusion level through horrible PK & momentum swing36:00 – Peter Kingston changes the game and Sounders take control40:45 – Rothrock seals it for Sounders, Gallardo for Velocity, it's a perfect night of results44:50 – Zephyr FC 3–0: most complete performance yet in beatdown of Brooklyn49:00 – Velocity FC 1-0 win vs. Omaha: what’s working (and concerns)Hosts:Benji WadeMike Pellicio💸Support the Podcast: https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate🔔 Stay Updated:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/Discord:https://discord.gg/VHgUPk7jxp

Benji and guest Ryan Harnetiaux cover many topics over the course of 90 minutes, starting with Ryan's shared perspectives from the first four years of USL club ownership: highs and lows, lessons learned, and challenges as well as opportunities moving forward. They then talk about the introduction of promotion and relegation in USL men's soccer, ideas to bolster attendance in 2026, and the genesis of how the Seattle Sounders and Reign ended up scheduling games at ONE Stadium in Spokane. Finally, they go over the economics of USL club ownership, player signings and philosophy, and whether or not we can expect to see VAR in the USL. Host: Benji WadeGuest: Ryan Harnetiaux of USL Spokane / Aequus SportsFollow on ⁠Instagram⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the podcast on YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SpokaneSoccerShow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show with a donation:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠

Benji and Mike welcome guest Mike Duke to the show and start the episode by learning about Mike's role as Rogers High School soccer coach and host of Bearded Trivia before issuing some shoutouts. Then, they discuss the last game of Zephyr FC's fall schedule, a 3-1 pummeling of Ft. Lauderdale FC. Benji introduces two player signings for Zephyr FC and Velocity FC, Maya Hansen and Joe Gallardo. Finally, they talk about the winner of the Spokane Soccer Show Player of the Year for 2025.Happy New Year and cheers to 2026! Host: Benji WadeCo-Host: Mike PellicioGuest: Mike Duke, Coach of Rogers High School Soccer and Host of Bearded TriviaFollow on ⁠Instagram⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the podcast on YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SpokaneSoccerShow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show with a donation:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠

Benji and Mike start the show catching up on changes to USL League One for 2026 before Benji provides a brief update on USL collective bargaining and implications for the Super League and League One. They then give a few shoutouts that includes the University of Washington Men and the 2A State Champion West Valley Eagles Girls. Benji and Mike also provide an in-depth breakdown of the Zephyr FC draw with Lexington SC as well as their thoughts on the team overall ahead of the winter break. Finally, they go over the details of the roster decisions for Velocity FC, including all the players announced so far by the club. There will be one more episode of the show before the New Year so be sure to check Instagram for updates. Happy Holidays, everyone!Host: Benji WadeCo-Host: Mike PellicioFollow on ⁠Instagram⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the podcast on YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SpokaneSoccerShow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show with a donation:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠

Benji welcomes 2025 Impact FC champion head coach Mike Pellicio back from conquest in Houston, Texas! They also give thanks to all their favorite things related to Spokane soccer. Then, they revisit the anguish of Velocity FC's trip to the League One championship final, including the awful penalty decision and soccer being played on a baseball infield. Finally, Benji issues some thoughts and feelings about where things stand with Zephyr FC and how supporters have an important role to play going into the winter break.Happy Thanksgiving, Spokane!Host: Benji WadeCo-Host: Mike PellicioFollow on ⁠Instagram⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the podcast on YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SpokaneSoccerShow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show with a donation:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠