The Spokane Soccer Show

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 cha...

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 b...

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 poin...

Zephyr FC repeat the drama of 2025 with this year's playoff race and it is equal parts stressful and exciting. Benji and Mike break down Zephyr’s massive win over Fort Lauderdale, a tense scoreless draw against Lexington SC, and why Hope Hisey continues to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. They also talk about Lena Silano quietly being one of the best attacking players in the league...

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 real...

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 influenc...

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 wh...

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...

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. Final...

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 dra...

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 f...

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 clo...

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 sha...

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...

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 Ze...

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 West...

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...

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 Wade Guest: Ross Carper Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spokanesoccershow/⁠⁠ Watch the podc...

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 Wade Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠https://www.insta...

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 Veloci...

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...

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...

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 Wade Guest: Abby Car...

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 Jägerme...

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 You...