May 28, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Spokane Velocity FC News Release
So far, the competition in ONE Spokane Stadium has been domestic in flavor, as Spokane Velocity FC has hosted numerous clubs from across the country. That all changes when the U23 squad of one of the premier clubs in the world comes to town.
Club Deportivo Guadalajara U23 – the Chivas – based in Jalisco, Mexico, will face Velocity FC in an international friendly at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 2. The U23 team is the reigning champion of Liga MX Apertura U23, cementing its reputation as one of the premier developmental clubs for young players.
Velocity will celebrate this historic friendly match with delicious items for sale on the concourse from Tacos Tumbras Taco truck.
The match is part of a U.S. tour that Chivas will open against Velocity before traveling westward to visit defending USL League Two champion Ballard FC in Seattle on June 4.
“C.D. Guadalajara is one of the most renowned soccer clubs in Mexico and has strong ties to many professional clubs and leagues in the United States – including ours,” said Ryan Harnetiaux, managing partner of USL Spokane and principal of Aequus Sports, LLC. “For many years, C.D. Guadalajara has sent its teams to the United States during the summer months to play friendlies, and we are honored that they have chosen to make the Pacific Northwest one of their stops. It’s a real testament to what we are building here in Spokane.”
The friendly fills a 19-day break in Velocity’s schedule during group play in the Jägermeister Cup. Velocity has a 1-0-2 record in the Jägermeister Cup and a 3-3-1 mark in regular USL League One action.
“With us having a large break between matches it’s really important for us to stay in a good rhythm of playing so we can continue to improve,” said Velocity Head Coach Leigh Veidman. “Aside from that, it’s always enjoyable to test yourself against high level opposition with a different style of play than we are used to.”
Club Deportivo Guadalajara was founded in 1906 and remained in the amateur ranks until it joined the professional league in 1943. The Chivas – Spanish for Goats – are considered among the most popular teams in Mexico and are certainly one of the most successful with 12 league titles and two CONCACAF Champions Cup/League titles. The senior team competes in and is one of the 10 founding members of the Liga MX, the top tier of Mexican football, and is one of seven teams that have never been relegated. In 2020, Forbes…