SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Velocity FC lost 2-0 to One Knoxville SC in the league finals, but the team returns home with strong fan support after just two seasons.
Dozens of fans packed Flat Stick Pub in downtown Spokane for a watch party during the championship match.
“It’s just super exciting that it’s just this beginning,” said Eli Eckelberg, a Velocity fan.
This marks the second straight year the team reached the championship game. In their first season, Spokane Velocity made an unexpected playoff run as underdogs before losing in the finals.
“They did pretty good. They made it to the playoffs. Underdogs. They won multiple times. Made it to the championship. Unfortunately, they lost. But like we weren’t expecting them to even make it there. So that was awesome,” said Caleb Latella, another fan.
The team has fostered a strong community culture that unites fans.
“The culture they’ve created is something beyond two years that I don’t know how they’ve done it in such quick fashion. It’s just incredible to see,” Eckelberg said.
“I think a lot of people come together for soccer and we’re all rooting for the same team,” Latella said.
Fan support continues year-round through podcasts and fan groups that discuss team signings and future plans.
“It carried through last year. We have podcasts. We have groups. We got people that continue all the way through the next season. Talk about new signings, talk about future,” Eckelberg said.
Despite the championship loss, fans are already looking ahead to next season. The rallying cry “Up the Falls!” shows the community remains ready to support the team’s future success.
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