“In Week 33 of the USL League One, FC Naples suffered a 1-0 loss against Spokane Velocity at the Paradise Sports Complex on Saturday, Oct. 19. After two consecutive away losses, Naples needed a win to secure a top-four spot and clinch a playoff home match.
Before the game, both teams walked onto the field alongside breast cancer survivors to show support for the cause.
“These are true warriors, true battlers,” FC Naples head coach Matt Poland said. “What an inspiration to see and get the opportunity to walk out with so many strong women who have faced a serious challenge.”
Coach Poland kept the same starting 11 used throughout the season. Spokane Velocity deployed a 5–4–1 formation that proved highly effective defensively, preventing FC Naples from capitalizing on goal-scoring opportunities.”
The first half was evenly matched, in part due to the high pressure exerted by midfielders Jayden Onen and Andres Ferrin, who forced Spokane Velocity into several defensive errors. A significant issue for FC Naples was their inability to convert chances. The team set up plays effectively but struggled to finish in the final third.
“We’re not being clinical at the end,” goalkeeper and team captain Edward Delgado said. “We get to the right spots, but maybe it’s that hunger or that lucky spark at the end that’s missing.”
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About FC Naples: FC Naples is the first professional soccer team, based at the state-of-the-art Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida. As a United Soccer League expansion team, the team’s mission is to create a world-class family experience and to forge a title-contending squad that will be the pride of Southwest Florida. FC Naples’ crest, colors, and culture reflect the community’s rich history of strength and resilience, as well as its deep connection to the beach and waterways that have shaped the community. The team stands proud to represent the vibrant spirit of Naples. Learn more about the team at www.FCNaples.com.