Know Your Enemy: Spokane Velocity

We're back for another edition of Know Your Enemy. For those keeping score at home, yes, we missed last weekend's trip to Forward Madison thanks to the World Cup and a busy summer schedule. But after watching that match... are we sure anyone wanted to relive it?

Anyway, the Richmond Kickers return to City Stadium on Saturday, July 18, to host Spokane Velocity. It's a fixture that always grabs Richmond fans' attention thanks to former Kicker and longtime fan favorite Nil Vinyals, who joined Spokane ahead of the 2025 season. He was followed this year by Richmond native and fellow longtime Kicker Simon Fitch. Midfielder Joe Gallardo also spent the 2019 season in Richmond, giving this matchup even more familiar faces.

Spokane arrives in Richmond in the middle of a rough stretch, winning just one of its last six league matches while losing the other five. That skid has dropped Velocity to the edge of the playoff line, just one point clear of the Chattanooga Red Wolves.

As for Richmond... well, everyone reading this already knows how things have been going.

Saturday's match features two teams badly in need of a result. Spokane is trying to stay in the playoff picture, while the Kickers are looking to avoid slipping into last place.

The numbers don't exactly inspire confidence. Over their last six league matches, Spokane has scored just three goals while conceding 12. Richmond has somehow managed to be even less productive, scoring only twice while allowing 14.

So what happens Saturday? Does someone finally remember how to score? Do both teams rediscover their confidence? Or do we get another tense, scoreless affair like Richmond's draw with Sarasota?

Honestly, your guess is probably as good as ours.

In the meantime, here are four Spokane players worth keeping an eye on.

Luis Gil, Midfielder #10

Spokane captain Luis Gil brings one of the most accomplished résumés in USL League One. The veteran midfielder owns two USMNT caps, nearly 200 MLS appearances and several seasons in Liga MX. After spending two years with Union Omaha, he joined Spokane before the club's inaugural 2024 season.

Operating as an attacking midfielder, Gil remains one of the league's more reliable chance creators. He leads Spokane in shots and ranks second in chances created, contributing two goals through the season's first half. That's slightly below his production over the previous three seasons, but his experience and vision still make him one of the league's most dangerous midfielders whenever he's on the ball.

Shavon John-Brown, Forward #11

The 31-year-old winger has enjoyed a late-career revival in USL League One. After spending two seasons in amateur soccer, he signed with Central Valley Fuego in 2024 before moving to Spokane ahead of last season.

John-Brown currently leads Velocity with three league goals while also topping the club with 18 chances created. His pace and movement make him dangerous in transition, and he's just as comfortable creating opportunities for teammates as he is taking them himself. With Anuar Peláez sidelined for much of the summer, John-Brown has frequently shifted into a striker role alongside Neco Brett.

Neco Brett, Forward #9

Spokane's veteran forward group has battled injuries throughout the season, and 34-year-old Neco Brett has been part of that story. He's missed three league matches and has completed the full 90 minutes only three times.

Still, there are flashes of the striker who terrorized defenses during his USL Championship prime. While Brett has just one league goal this season, he reminded everyone what he's capable of by scoring twice against Oakland Roots to help Spokane clinch its USL Cup group last weekend. If that performance gives him some momentum heading into league play, Richmond's defense will have plenty to think about.

Anuar Peláez, Forward #16

Peláez returned from injury against Oakland after missing more than two months, and he wasted little time making an impact by scoring off the bench against his former club.

If he's healthy enough for significant minutes on Saturday, he could provide exactly the spark Spokane has been missing. After all, he's only one season removed from an 11-goal campaign and remains one of the league's more natural finishers when fully fit.

Richmond Kickers vs Spokane Velocity: How to Watch

If you can't make it to City Stadium, the match will broadcast on ESPN+. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM ET.