Zephyr FC's 2025-2026 season will be their last in the USL Super League. In the most emotional, cathartic, and therapeutic episode we’ve ever recorded, Benji Wade and Mike Pellicio use all five stages of grief to process the announcement that Spokane Zephyr FC will not return to the Super League in 2026.

They reflect on the club’s final match and the heartbreak of watching a team fall one point short of the playoffs before everything changed.

The conversation dives into the realities facing the ENTIRETY of the Super League, attendance struggles, league structure, travel, ownership, media coverage, and what the Spokane situation says about the state of professional soccer in America, not just WoSo.

This episode is also about grieving. It's about rupture and the need for repair.

So come on in! Join us as we try to figure out what Zephyr FC has meant to us for the last 2.5 years and where go from here as supporters and members of this community.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) - Grief, emotions & thanking the Zephyr players

(05:18) - Zephyr’s final match: 4-0 win against Brooklyn

(08:28) - The playoff push: 13 points from the final 5 games

(15:29) - USL Spokane announces the club is ending

(24:28) - ANGER at the USL system, instability & league structure

(35:26) - Coaching, player development & what Zephyr did right

(44:12) - Spokane soccer fans, media & frustration with the response

(53:10) - Grief, guilt, and asking: “Did we do enough?”

(58:49) - Unforgettable memories, Zephyr players, and what they meant to Spokane

(01:07:51) - Acceptance, accountability, and: What happens next?

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Zephyr FC repeat the drama of 2025 with this year's playoff race and it is equal parts stressful and exciting.

Benji and Mike break down Zephyr’s massive win over Fort Lauderdale, a tense scoreless draw against Lexington SC, and why Hope Hisey continues to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

They also talk about Lena Silano quietly being one of the best attacking players in the league.

They also talk through:

• The tactical shift behind Zephyr’s recent form
• Cat Rapp’s growing influence at striker
• Velocity FC’s frustrating road form and upcoming home stretch
• Former Sounder Obed Vargas earning his first goal contribution for Atlético Madrid

Plus: Mo Salah to Spokane, Emina Ekic signs with Houston Dash, and much more.

Everything is on the line now for Zephyr FC!

CHAPTERS

0:00 - Intro, Shout Outs, and Breaking News

11:50 - Zephyr FC beat Fort Lauderdale: tactics, goals & playoff stakes

22:00 - Zephyr vs Lexington: Hope Hisey wears her cape again in competitive draw

29:00 - Playoff race: Dallas, DC Power & what Zephyr need in last two matches

34:30 - Velocity’s rough road trip & Sacramento loss

43:30 - Velocity return home: Naples, Vegas & expectations

46:20 - Final thoughts & massive weekend ahead

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What has this season been like for Zephyr FC?

Benji is joined by Hope Hisey, Emma Jaskaniec, and Katie Murray for a wide-ranging conversation about their journeys to Spokane, the team’s recent win over Sporting JAX, and how Zephyr FC can compete and win against any opponent in the USL Super League.

They talk through the mentality shift behind the team’s recent performances, the challenges and realities of setbacks like injuries, and how belief and consistency will be critical to this season’s playoff push.

The conversation also dives into the personal stories of each player, from draft day emotions and career detours to what it means to build something new in Spokane and connect with a rapidly growing soccer community.

This is the most honest and insightful conversation we’ve ever had about Zephyr FC.

CHAPTERS

0:00 – Intro of Hope, Emma, and Katie and their GIFTS!

2:45 – Reign FC, Jess Fishlock's retirement announcement, & player comparisons

6:30 – Sporting JAX win: intensity and commitment13:50 – What changed? mentality, tactics & belief

19:45 – Early Zephyr days: first game & building the team

22:15 – Emma Jaskaniec: draft story & path to Spokane

30:45 – Katie Murray: career journey from Europe to America, an untimely ACL injury, her comeback, and her role

40:15 – Hope Hisey: her goalkeeper story, mindset & development, and becoming a leader of the team

50:00 – The growth & team identity of Zephyr FC

52:10 – Playoff push: confidence and consistency down the final stretch

54:20 – Community questions

1:01:00 – What Hope, Emma, and Katie want to be remembered for

1:07:30 – Final reflections + upcoming match

Host: Benji Wade

Guests: Hope Hisey, Emma Jaskaniec, and Katie Murray

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Velocity FC are in incredible form following a rough stretch of fixture congestion to start 2026. Back-to-back dominant 3 - 1 wins at ONE Stadium powered by standout performances from Shavon John-Brown, Jack Denton, and a wave of new signings making a big impact.

In this episode, Benji and Mike break down the reasons behind Velocity's impressive performances, including Shavon John-Brown’s influence at striker, breakout performances from Rocky Wells and Medgy Alexandre, and the tactical shifts that led to two convincing wins. They also dig into whether this level of play is sustainable over the rest of the season.

Elsewhere, Zephyr FC are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive with five home games remaining while the Sounders face a must-win moment in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Spokane says goodbye to Reign FC and Benji's favorite NWSL player, Sam Meza.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro, shoutouts and farewell to Reign FC

14:30 Velocity Are BACK

24:00 AV Alta win and standout performances (Wells, Booth, John-Brown)

35:20 Richmond win breakdown and Medgy Alexandre's brilliance

6:00 Is this sustainable for Velocity? tactics, identity & new signings

52:30 Zephyr FC Playoff push & what needs to happen

59:45 Final thoughts & upcoming matches

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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 soccer

2:25 – Sounders in Spokane: vibes, build-up & pregame scene

9:00 – March to the Match & ONE Stadium atmosphere

22:00 – Sounders vs Whitecaps: early chances & opening goal

27:45 – Tracking TWO games at once: Velocity vs. VC Fusion in the Open Cup

32:00 – Fusion level through horrible PK & momentum swing

36:00 – Peter Kingston changes the game and Sounders take control

40:45 – Rothrock seals it for Sounders, Gallardo for Velocity, it's a perfect night of results

44:50 – Zephyr FC 3–0: most complete performance yet in beatdown of Brooklyn

49:00 – Velocity FC 1-0 win vs. Omaha: what’s working (and concerns)

Hosts:

Benji Wade

Mike Pellicio

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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 Wade

Guest: Ryan Harnetiaux of USL Spokane / Aequus Sports

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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 Wade

Co-Host: Mike Pellicio

Guest: Mike Duke, Coach of Rogers High School Soccer and Host of Bearded Trivia

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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 Wade

Co-Host: Mike Pellicio

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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 Wade

Co-Host: Mike Pellicio

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Benji is joined by Velocity FC manager Leigh Veidman and defender David Garcia to get hyped about the upcoming final against One Knoxville. They start with a conversation about the swings of 2025 that led here and the preparation going into the final. Then, Benji revisits some of the incredible moments from Velocity FC's thrilling win over Portland Hearts of Pine in the semifinal. The show closes with appreciation from Benji and reflection from Leigh on how much Velocity FC's success has meant to the city.

Host: Benji Wade

Guests: Leigh Veidman and David Garcia

Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠:

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Watch the podcast on YouTube:

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Support the show with a donation:⁠

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