SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Velocity FC let a late lead slip away Saturday night, falling 3-2 to Corpus Christi FC at ONE Spokane Stadium.
The loss is Spokane’s second straight after Wednesday’s penalty-shootout defeat to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL League One quarterfinals.
The Velocity appeared to be in control early.
Neco Brett opened the scoring in the 11th minute, and Spokane carried a 1-0 advantage into halftime after creating several opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.
Joe Gallardo said Spokane’s first-half attack was able to find space between Corpus Christi’s defensive lines and generate chances.
“I feel like we had a lot of chances,” Gallardo said. “Maybe if we would have put a couple more away in the first half, it would have been an easier second half for us.”
But Corpus Christi responded quickly after halftime.
Jack Kearney tied the match in the 57th minute before Nil Vinyals restored Spokane’s lead in the 70th minute.
The advantage wouldn’t last.
Arthur Medina scored in the 81st minute to make it 2-2, and Jake Keegan completed the comeback deep into stoppage time, scoring in the 90th-plus-sixth minute to give Corpus Christi the 3-2 victory.
Spokane head coach Leigh Veidman said the Velocity played into Corpus Christi’s strengths by giving the visitors too many opportunities on set pieces and in the defensive third.
“We played into their game,” Veidman said. “We gave them the set pieces that they wanted to get away on the road.”
Veidman was also critical of Spokane’s defending on the set pieces, saying the team was too weak in one-on-one duels and lost its marks.
Vinyals echoed that frustration, saying Corpus Christi’s set-piece delivery created problems throughout the night.
“We know basically that’s their game,” Vinyals said. “That’s what they play for, especially away from home.”
Vinyals also said Spokane needed to regain control of matches through possession, something he felt the team did well in the first half before Corpus Christi’s increased pressure and man-marking disrupted the Velocity’s rhythm.
Despite the defeat, Spokane’s attack continued to create opportunities. Gallardo said the team has plenty of players capable of making plays, while Vinyals pointed to the team’s ability to score consistently as a positive.
Still, the result leaves Spokane with back-to-back losses and a frustrating end to a difficult stretch.
“We’ve been on this boat before already this season,” Gallardo said. “It’s all about just keeping a positive mindset and just thinking about the next game.”
Spokane remains sixth in the USL League One standings with 32 points.
The Velocity will have a chance to respond next Saturday, when they host Greenville Triumph at ONE Spokane Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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