Spokane, WA- After almost a month away from home, the Spokane Velocity (4W-1L-2D) returned to take on FC Naples (4W-2L-2D) in a crucial USL League One contest. With both sides having 14 points to show for their efforts so far in regular season play, this match could go on to be a campaign-defining affair.
Spokane wasted no time in setting the tone, with Anuar Pelaez making the most of an FC Naples defensive mishap to find Medgy Alexandre, who glided past his marker and found the back of the net in the 8th minute.
Photo: Spokane Velocity FC
For the next 30 minutes, Spokane found themselves to be the ones asking most of the questions, resulting in a number of opportunities that went wayward- the clearest coming in the form of yet another Naples defensive lapse in the 33rd minute, that allowed for Luis Gil to attempt a nearly 30 yard lob that ultimately grazed the crossbar, much to the relief of the exposed Naples goalkeeper, Edward Delgado.
Photo: Spokane Velocity FC
The rest of the first half lulled into a tightly-contested, physical battle that resulted in Shavon John-Brown and Andre Lewis finding themselves in the referee’s book.
In similar fashion to the opening minutes of the first half, Anuar Pelaez slipped through a faulty FC Naples backline, and was taken down by Delgado in the 18-yard box, resulting in Spokane being awarded a penalty kick in the 54th minute. It was Pelaez himself who took on the responsibility, and coolly rolled the ball into the back of the net, giving Spokane a well-earned 2-0 lead.
Photo: Spokane Velocity FC
The next 40 minutes consisted of Spokane demonstrating their defensive prowess, and effectively neutralizing the majority of Naples’ attacking threats. What would have been a welcome clean sheet for the Velocity was unfortunately snatched away in the dying embers of the match, as a stoppage-time, Luca Mastrantonio rocket sailed past an outstretched Sean Lewis.
To FC Naples’ dismay, the final whistle was blown shortly after the restart of play, culminating in a gritty, hard-earned 2-1 Spokane Velocity win- a welcome sight for the home team after a series of disappointing results on the road.
“Listen, there’s different ways to win matches- and it is never black and white,” said Velocity Head Coach Leigh Veidman after the match, “sometimes you need to be a little bit pragmatic to win the game, and the boys found a way to get that done.” In what proved to be a game that sometimes slipped into the uglier side in terms of fouls and physicality, Spokane showed that even when they are not allowed to play their free-flowing style of soccer, the team can adapt and meet the demands of the opponent as the match progresses.
Photo: Spokane Velocity FC
With this win, Spokane moves into second place behind One Knoxville FC in USL League One play, with goal differential being the deciding factor as both teams are evenly squared at 17 points. ONE Spokane Stadium will again play host to more action on May 17th, as the Velocity seeks to get their first win in the Prinx Tires USL Cup versus Las Vegas Lights FC.
(Cover photo courtesy of Spokane Velocity FC)
