The Spokane Soccer Show

Third Rate

Benji Wade hosts a wide range of friends and footy fanatics to bring only the best vibes while covering all things soccer in Spokane, WA including every USL team and much more.

  1. Jul 31

    Lilac Is Back: Velocity's Revenge vs. Charlotte and Fort Wayne

    Spokane Velocity FC responded to its summer slump with four consecutive wins, including a 3–0 shutout of Charlotte Independence and a 3–1 comeback against Fort Wayne FC. Benji and Mike break down both home victories, Shavon John-Brown’s two-goal, one-assist return, the influence of Nil Vinyals and Jack Denton, Sean Lewis’s improved form, and the tactical adjustments behind Velocity’s resurgence. Also discussed: Salmon Bay’s USL W League championship, Vermont Green’s unbeaten inaugural W League season, Spain’s World Cup victory over Argentina, Kyah Le and Erin Ewers signing with Pogoń Szczecin, and whether Velocity is once again a legitimate championship contender. CHAPTERS: (00:00) Introduction and shout-outs(06:15) Salmon Bay wins the USL W League title(09:34) Spain wins the World Cup(14:20) Velocity’s four-game winning streak(18:11) Velocity 3–0 Charlotte(32:59) Velocity 3–1 Fort Wayne(51:42) Is Velocity a contender again?(57:40) Upcoming matches and closing The Spokane Soccer Show is proudly presented by Flatstick Pub and supported by Spokane City Credit Union, Inland Imaging, and Wildland Co-op. -- 💸Support the Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🏟️Match Schedule: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/matches⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔔 Stay Updated: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠

  2. Jun 27

    The Summer of Soccer Rolls On: Velocity, Egypt, and the World Cup

    Benji and Mike catch up on everything that's happened in the three long weeks since we last recorded, beginning with Velocity FC's recent run of results. After three straight League One defeats, Spokane bounced back with an entertaining (and convincing) 2-1 win over Westchester SC at ONE Spokane Stadium. They then briefly recap the USL Cup win over AC Boise before diving deep into what changed against Westchester, including beautiful buildup play, standout performances from Medgy Alexandre and Derek Waldeck, and why Velocity's attacking tempo made all the difference. Then it's USMNT and World Cup time. Benji and Mike compare notes on the U.S. Men's National Team after wins over Paraguay and Australia followed by a dead rubber match loss to Türkiye. They also discuss Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Gio Reyna, the emergence of Sebastian Berhalter, and their expectations for the knockout stage match vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Finally, the show turns to one of the most memorable soccer moments for Benji and Mike: Egypt's national team training at Gonzaga’s Luger Field. Benji and Mike reflect on watching Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and the Pharaohs train just minutes from downtown Spokane before Benji shares the story of attending his very first FIFA World Cup match, Egypt vs. Belgium at Lumen Field. Benji describes why it became one of his favorite sporting experiences ever and Mike compares it to watching Brazil vs. Ghana in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. CHAPTERS (00:00) Spokane's Summer of Soccer (04:45) Recap of Velocity FC's win vs. AC Boise (13:45) Velocity's Three-Game Slide in League One (16:20) Westchester Match Breakdown (30:10) Medgy, Derek, & Velocity's Standouts (37:10) League One Standings & Looking Ahead (40:00) USMNT Through the Group Stage (51:45) Egypt Trains in Spokane (57:45) Benji's First FIFA World Cup Match (01:02:40) Spokane Shadow & Closing Thoughts -- 💸Support the Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🏟️Match Schedule: ⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/matches⁠⁠ 🔔 Stay Updated: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠

  3. Jun 5

    Velocity Heartbreak In Maine & Spokane Summer Soccer

    Velocity FC's three-match winning streak comes to an end after a frustrating 2-1 loss to Hearts of Pine despite a very good performance. Benji and Mike break down the key moments from the match, including Shavon John-Brown's goal, Ollie Wright's controversial bicycle, missed chances, and a few...defensive lapses. Then, Benji makes his opening and closing arguments for why this should be called The Pine Derby from now on. Ponderosas vs. Eastern White Pines = no competition. (Ours are bigger and better.) Then, Benji makes his opening and closing arguments for why this should be called The Pine Derby from now on. Ponderosas vs. Eastern White Pines = no competition. We then turn our attention to the first ever "River City Rivalry" between Velocity FC and AC Boise at ONE Stadium. How do we feel about the name of this derby? River City Derby better? The second half of the show is dedicated to the broader Spokane soccer community. Benji and Mike launch a new ongoing segment highlighting local soccer throughout the region, including Spokane Shadow, WE Surf, WPSL, EPLWA, Cascadia Premier League, Gonzaga, Whitworth, Eastern Washington, Spokane Falls, and more. Plus: Hope Hisey, Emma Jaskaniec, and Reese Tappan earn all league honorsKenzie Weinert scores a massive goal for Lexington SC to help them win a second trophyEgypt's national team is coming to SpokaneSubscribe for weekly coverage of Spokane soccer at every level! CHAPTERS: (00:00) Intro & Best Vibes Only Restored (02:20) Zephyr FC All-League Honors & Community Shoutouts (09:45) Egypt's National Team Coming to Spokane (21:20) Velocity FC vs Hearts of Pine Breakdown (39:30) Benji Pitches Mike on "The Pine Derby" (47:25) Spokane's Summer Soccer Scene Explained (57:45) AC Boise Preview & "River City Rivalry"? (01:00:40) This Week's Local Soccer Matches -- 💸Support the Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠⁠⁠ 🏟️Match Schedule: ⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/matches⁠ 🔔 Stay Updated: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠

  4. May 22

    Zephyr FC: Gone With the Wind (For Now)

    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? -- 💸Support the Podcast: ⁠⁠https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate⁠⁠ 🏟️Match Schedule: https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/matches 🔔 Stay Updated: Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠ Discord: ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/VHgUPk7jxp

  5. Apr 24

    Zephyr FC's Hope Hisey, Emma Jaskaniec, and Katie Murray

    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 -- -- 💸Support the Podcast: https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate 🔔 Stay Updated: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/ Discord: https://discord.gg/VHgUPk7jxp

  6. Apr 16

    Velocity FC's Pair of 3-1 Wins & Shavon John-Brown Is Unstoppable

    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 -- 💸Support the Podcast: https://www.spokanesoccershow.com/donate 🔔 Stay Updated: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/ Discord: https://discord.gg/VHgUPk7jxp

5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Benji Wade hosts a wide range of friends and footy fanatics to bring only the best vibes while covering all things soccer in Spokane, WA including every USL team and much more.

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