May 19, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Spokane Velocity FC News Release
Despite numerous big chances, Spokane Velocity FC was held scoreless in a 3-0 loss against Forward Madison on Sunday at ONE Spokane Stadium.
The result boosted Madison up from sixth to fourth place while dropping Velocity from fifth to seventh place in the USL League One standings. The match also spoiled Velocity’s previously undefeated home record and marked the club’s first scoreless outing of the season.
“It’s a tough one, but we take it on the chin and keep moving” said Velocity goalkeeper Brooks Thompson, who made his debut for Spokane after joining the club on loan from USL Championship’s Hartford Athletic.
Thompson faced constant pressure from Madison’s front line, with the first goal coming off the left foot of midfielder Jimmie Villalobos in the 22nd minute. The assist was credited to striker Christian Chaney, who delivered a one-touch pass to set up Villalobos for a shot outside of the 18-yard box.
Madison’s lead swelled to two goals after Devin Boyce discovered the perfect angle from the deep left side of the box to the top right of the net coming off of a breakdown from Velocity’s defense. Fellow Flamingo Wolfgang Prentice set up Boyce after corralling and controlling their fastbreak chance.
Velocity had multiple scoring chances, but failed to convert before halftime. One missed opportunity came in the 27th minute when left winger Ariel Mbumba crossed the ball to right winger Pierre Reedy, who’s header from close range landed right into the hands of Madison goalkeeper Bernd Schipmann.
“I feel like it’s kind of been a pattern that we’ve had where we create so many chances but the final product is just kind of lacking a little bit,” said midfielder and team captain Luis Gil of Velocity’s struggles with finishing.
Madison didn’t take its foot off the gas pedal in the second half, scoring in the 63rd minute after Chaney sent a long pass toward the center of the field, where midfielder Aiden Mesias converted a one-on-one opportunity against Thompson.
Thompson was Velocity’s only player in position to stop Mesias, with the rest of the team’s defense on Madison’s side of the field in hopes of generating a goal.
“We’re going to go for the game at two-nil down, so we have to be a little bit more aggressive in our defensive structure,” said Velocity head coach Leigh Veidman. “We got caught on one transition in the second half, but that’s football.”
It seemed as though…