By: Evan Moore, Whitworth University ’27
Luis Alvarez’s Stoppage Time Goal Sends Spokane Velocity FC Home
Charlotte Independence stops Spokane Velocity FC’s winning streak with a final score of 2-1
Spokane Velocity FC (2-2-0) came onto the pitch with a three-match winning streak and were looking to steal points from Charlotte Independence (1-1-0) at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Late in the second half, Charlotte’s attacking midfielder, Luis Álvarez, scored the match-winner, giving Charlotte a 2-1 win over Velocity.
Charlotte Independence stopped Velocity’s 3-match win streak and earned their first USL League One win of the year after a loss to One Knoxville SC in their first match. They will look to continue this winning trend on the road against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on April 6. Their second Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against South Carolina United Heat will be at home next Tuesday.
After a long first 5 minutes, Velocity found their place in the match as Josh Dolling had an opportunity in the match off a failed clearance by a Charlotte defender, but the shot missed wide.
Velocity defense was solid in the first half as the center-back pairing of Marcelo Lage and Ahmed Longmire proved strong. Charlotte’s only dangerous chances came from headers off freekicks that goalkeeper Carlos Merancio cleaned up.
Velocity’s key central midfielder, Collin Fernandez, played a crucial part in the first half as he led the team in touches, passes, and final third entries to end the half. More importantly, on the defensive side of the ball, Fernandez made a massive sliding clearance just as the half was coming to an end. Independence would have had an open shot for striker Juan Obregón.
In the first half, the ball was primarily held by Spokane Velocity FC’s possession as they held 64% possession to Charlotte’s 36%. This possession did not necessarily result in more chances as both the teams finished the half with 4 attempted goals each.
As the second half whistle blew, Charlotte scored the first goal of the match, from a rebound goal by Joel Johnson off a great first save from Merancio. This seemed to be a wakeup call for Velocity as for the next 30 minutes they had complete control of the match.
“We fought till the very end and showed resilience for the equalizer. We switched off in two moments and were punished. But, now we have to build on our performance for the next match,” said winger, Kimarni Smith, regarding how switching off briefly, even for 22 seconds, can be harshly punished.
A key emphasis all throughout the match for Velocity was attacking through the wings as they recorded a total of 36 crosses which tripled their previous match high of 12 against Colorado last week. Twenty-four of these crosses came from the outside back pairing of Derek Waldeck and Romain Métanire. In the 72 minute, Pierre Reedy delivered a precise cut-back pass down the left side of the pitch, setting up substitute Javier Martín Gil for the Spokane equalizer, overwhelming the Independence back line with a well-executed play.
“It was a hard-fought match with many chances that we could have taken advantage of and gone away with a favorable result. I’m happy about my first professional goal, but it’s a pity about the result. We must learn to manage the match in the last minutes, and we just have to keep working,” said defender Javier Martín Gil about his first professional goal of his career.
The next 15 minutes were heavily controlled and possessed by Velocity as most of the action was in Charlotte’s attacking half, as they were looking to take the lead on the road and steal the full 3 points in Charlotte. With the 8 minutes of stoppage announced it seemed as though the Independence defense would not be able to hold on to the tie for much longer and Spokane kept their foot on the gas.
Velocity FC’s electric winger, Reedy, blitzed down the left side of the pitch into the Independence goalie box and cut back on his right foot to beat Charlotte standout, center back, Hugh Roberts II. Although Smith got around Roberts, he seemed to have fouled Smith inside the box just as he was about to set up the open shot on his right foot. Even with Smith hitting the ground, and asking for the penalty, head official Jair Campos, waved on the play to the Velocity player’s surprise.
With Velocity FC’s players still in shock at the no-call, Charlotte’s Luis Álvarez, made a brilliant solo effort and dribbled right through Spokane’s defense as he shot a perfect ball that ended up in the back of the net past the outstretched arms of Merancio, giving Charlotte Independence the win in extra time against the run of play.
“For large parts of the match I thought we played well. Unfortunately, we had some calls not go our way but, at the end of the day we’ve got to control what we can control. Needed to be sharper to start the half and more ruthless in the final third. Now it’s about looking forward to the Open Cup match, Wednesday, and getting back on track in front of our fans,” Reedy noted about the no-call and finishing out the match until the end.
Spokane Velocity FC remain winless on the road in USL League One, as they will have to wait until April 14 against Lexington SC to redeem themselves and get their elusive first away point of the USL League One season. Until then, they have a match against LA Force at ONE Spokane Stadium in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament where they look to continue their run at home.
“It’s a difficult result to take given the performance yet we have lots of positives to take from it. The players showed incredible fight and character to bounce back from conceding early in the second half. We learn & grow from it and we shift our focus to being back at ONE Spokane stadium with our fans behind us on Wednesday vs LA Force in the U.S. Open Cup,” commented Spokane Velocity’s FC’s Head Coach, Leigh Veidman, about the loss and moving on to the next match.
Don’t forget to secure your U.S. Open Cup Tickets! Spokane Velocity FC vs LA Force!