May 26, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Spokane Velocity FC News Release
After not seeing action in last weekend’s 3-0 loss, Carlos Merancio made his presence known in Spokane Velocity FC’s third match of the Jägermeister Cup.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper recorded seven saves and anchored a robust defense that shut out Greenville Triumph SC through regulation. However, with Velocity also held scoreless – per Cup rules – the match went into a penalty shootout that Greenville won 5-4. Both teams were awarded a draw and a point in group play, with Triumph earning the additional point for winning the shootout.
Regardless of the result, Merancio said he was pleased with the way his team bounced back from its most lopsided loss of the season against Forward Madison FC last Sunday in league play.
“I wish we won the game first, but I think the team showed resilience and that’s good,” Merancio said of his team’s showing against Greenville. “It was a tough game, … so we just defend, keep the shutout, and then on the PKs, we need to improve to win the games there.”
Mercancio was tested early and often by Greenville’s front line, starting with a set piece opportunity in the 12th minute. Triumph’s Ben Zakowski launched the ball toward the far post, where Jamie Smith was able to get off a clean header, only for Meracio to deflect the attempt for his first save of the match.
Another close call for Velocity came in the 35th minute when Greenville’s Lyam MacKinnon, the leading scorer in USL League One, took a shot from just outside the 18-yard box. While MacKinnon was able to bend his attempt through Spokane’s back line, Meracio was in position to deflect the ball out of bounds.
Velocity had several missed chances of their own, including a shot from Marcelo Lage in the 26th minute that was blocked by Smith. Controversy arose as the ball appeared to have crossed the line before Smith made contact with it, prompting boos from the robust crowd of 4,503 in attendance at ONE Spokane Stadium.
“I didn’t see it, hopefully there’s some VAR (Video Assistant Referee) next year in USL League One, but maybe I’ll shoot it next time where the one defender isn’t,” Lage said with a chuckle when asked about the play. “I’m glad to know that I actually did score.”
Lage’s attempt was the only shot Velocity registered in the first half, despite controlling 60 percent of the possession before the intermission.
“I think everybody came off of halftime really frustrated,” said Velocity head coach…
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