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

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 WadeGuests: Leigh Veidman and David GarciaFollow 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 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 WadeCo-Host: Mike PellicioGuest: Nikole LukicFollow 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 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 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 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 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 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 WadeGuests: Ronald Sanchez, Jr. and Zach Waud of Spokane SpursFollow 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 catches up with guest Mike Pellicio on his many head coaching activities, now including Spokane Impact. Then, they discuss the latest results for Velocity FC: the loss in the Jaegermeister Cup and back to back wins at ONE Stadium in League One vs. Union Omaha and AV Alta. Finally, they talk about the start of Zephyr FC's year two in the USL Super League and the schedule for professional soccer in the Fall.Host: Benji WadeGuest: 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 is joined by Ross Carper, co-executive director of Feast World Kitchen for a thoughtful conversation about the impact of food, soccer, and movies on community experiences. They also catch up on a very rough week for Velocity FC and the news of Emina Ekić leaving Spokane.Host: Benji WadeGuest: Ross CarperFollow 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 starts with a bunch of shout outs: Spokane Shadow women, Leigh Veidman, Mike Pellicio, Nil Vinyals, Kenny Pierpoint, Rocky Wells, and Best of Broadway. He then checks in on Velocity FC's midseason excellence. Finally, Benji says goodbye to departing Zephyr FC players and welcomes the 6 new players announced by the club last week.Host: Benji WadeFollow 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 is joined by Scott Linklater of South Hill FC for the first time since Velocity FC's 2-2 home opener against One Knox. They catch up on Velocity's two most recent games vs. Charlotte Independence and Forward Madison. Then, they describe their experiences at ONE Stadium when smoke grenades were dispersed at a nearby protest. Finally, they talk about their overall feelings about Velocity FC's place at the top of League One standings through the first three months of 2025. Host: Benji WadeGuest: Scott LinklaterFollow on ⁠Instagram⁠:https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/Support the show with a donation:⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠

Benji is joined by Wildland Co-op head brewer Michael Townshend to talk about the latest beer collaboration with the Spokane Soccer Show: the Las Chivas Lager, a crisp and delicious Mexican style lager infused with Vienna malts and crafted perfectly to soak your palate in soccer inspired joy. They also discuss the heartbreaking end of the first season of Zephyr FC and finally get a chance to talk about the incredible goal from Ally Cook assisted by Emma Jaskaniec.Host: Benji WadeGuest: Michael TownshendSupport the show with a donation:⁠⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠:⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/

Benji is joined by Zephyr FC and Bosnian international winger, midfielder, and magician Emina Ekić. They talk about Emina's journey as a player from Louisville to Australia and now Spokane. Then, Emina provides her unique perspectives about the incredible turn in form for Zephyr FC the last few months and how the team's commitment to a playoff run became a reality. Finally, Emina responds to questions from the community and 509 Syndicate.Host: Benji WadeGuest: Emina EkićSupport the show with a donation:⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠⁠Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠:⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/

Benji is joined by Abby Carchio for the first time since last August to catch up on all things Zephyr FC and their remarkable run of form in 2025. They start with a conversation about the influence of Ally Cook and Hope Hisey, and how their play has helped Zephyr go from bottom of the table in December to third in the USL Super League heading into their last match.Host: Benji WadeGuest: Abby CarchioSupport the show with a donation:⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠:https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/

Benji is joined by former Northern Colorado Hailstorm head coach Eamon Zayed for a conversation about the opening round of the 2025 Jägermeister Cup, including Velocity FC's 2-1 win over Oakland Roots to start their campaign. They also talk about Eamon's unique stories as both a player and manager, including his 2024 Hailstorm being the current holders and first-time winners of the Jägermeister Cup.SHOUT OUTS! Kenzie WeinertPierre ReedyJennah WannerNorthwest Autism CenterFollow on ⁠Instagram⁠:https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/Follow on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SpokaneSoccerShowSupport the show with a donation:⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠Host: Benji WadeGuest: Eamon Zayed

Benji is joined by Jessica Charman for a candid conversation about her career as a soccer play-by-play and color commentator for Charlotte FC and most recently, the NWSL and USL Super League. We talk about Jessica's history as a goalkeeper growing up in England, her thoughts about the USL Super League, and much more. Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠:https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/Follow on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SpokaneSoccerShowSupport the show with a donation:⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠Host: Benji WadeGuests: Jessica Charman

It's been exactly a year since Mt. Spokane girls / Shadle High School boys head coach Mike Pellicio and Spokane Shadow's Director of Coaching Jesse Retan first joined me on the show. We caught up on all their soccer activities, then discussed the most recent games from Velocity FC. Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠:https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/Follow on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SpokaneSoccerShowSupport the show with a donation:⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠Host: Benji WadeGuests: Mike Pellicio and Jesse Retan