SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Velocity gained valuable experience this offseason, both on and off the pitch.
After a finals appearance in their debut season, Spokane signed a USL League One veteran defender in Jalen Crisler, who played for Forward Madison, the Richmond Kickers and One Knoxville over the past few years, all League One teams.
Crisler began his soccer career with the Gonzaga Bulldogs from 2013-17, earning All-WCC honors his junior season.
“From when they started the USL Spokane, I was like, I want to make my way back, especially toward the end of my career,” Crisler said. “I’m 30 now, so being able to be back close to home, close to family, familiar faces, and, obviously, from a club standpoint, it’s top of the league. So, seeing what they did last year, it’s exciting to be back, and be back in the community of Spokane and just seeing everything that’s developed and grown here and being a part of it as well.”
Crisler is a leader on the defensive side, helping Spokane to only allow three goals over their first four matches in league play.
“I wanna be a vocal leader on the team, I’m a veteran, I’ve played in the league for now six, I think it’s my seventh year pro, so that’s one of the key pieces I think I bring,” Crisler said. “And from a culture standpoint as well, it’s a great group of guys. Lee brings in good players and good guys, so it’s easy to kinda get acclimated with the boys. Just step on the field, the quality is there. And then the banter is always there, it’s a good time with this group of guys. So, it was easy coming in, and now I’m getting more and more comfortable with the guys, so they’ll hear my voice a bit more as well.”
Spokane hosts Texoma FC this Sunday, April 13th at 4:00 p.m.
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