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 Wade

Mike 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 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

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Benji and Mike are joined by Spokane Zephyr FC head coach, Nicole Lukic. Their conversation begins with some shout-outs of Velocity FC following their thrilling first round playoff win vs. South Georgia Tormenta that went to penalty kicks. Then, they welcome Coach Lukic to Spokane and learn about her earliest experience with the sport of soccer and how she went from player to coach. Lukic also shares stories about her incredible success with Minnesota Aurora FC in the USL W League as well as her time working with Emma Hayes through the US Youth National Team. Finally, there are many questions that were submitted by local Zephyr FC supporters where Lukic gets a chance to describe her philosophical outlook on soccer, player development, and what comes next for the team.

Host: Benji Wade

Co-Host: Mike Pellicio

Guest: Nikole Lukic

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Benji and Mike start the podcast with shoutouts of the Gonzaga women’s soccer team, Velocity FC, former Shadow and current UW goalkeeper Jadon Bowton, and our beloved friend of the pod, Jesse Retan. Then, they break down recent results for Velocity FC, including their win on the road against Naples which ensured there will be a playoff game at One Stadium on November 2nd. Finally, they discuss the first two games for Zephyr FC head coach Nicole Lukic and how both Velocity and Zephyr FC are performing overall in each respective league.

Host: Benji Wade

Co-Host: Mike Pellicio

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Watch the podcast on YouTube:

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Support the show with a donation:⁠

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Benji is joined by CO-HOST Mike Pellicio to catch up all the latest soccer in Spokane including Zephyr FC announcing their new head coach, Nicole Lukic, and Leigh Veidman's two year contract extension. They also shout out local players Chelsea Le and Kai Longenecker signing contracts as professional soccer players. And of course, Benji and Mike talk about the latest results for Velocity and Zephyr FC.

Host: Benji Wade

Co-Host: Mike Pellicio

Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠:

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Watch the podcast on YouTube:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SpokaneSoccerShow⁠⁠⁠⁠

Support the show with a donation:⁠

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Benji is joined by Ronald Sanchez, Jr. and Zach Waud of Spokane Spurs. The conversation starts with the soccer stories of Ronald and Zach as well as their love for Tottenham Hotspur. They then talk about the fresh start for Zephyr FC with a team full of new players, including results vs. Brooklyn and Ft. Lauderdale. Finally, they go over the details of Velocity FC's thrilling 2-1 win over Westchester SC.

Host: Benji Wade

Guests: Ronald Sanchez, Jr. and Zach Waud of Spokane Spurs

Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Watch the podcast on YouTube:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SpokaneSoccerShow⁠⁠⁠

Support the show with a donation:⁠

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