Spokane Velocity surrender two first-half goals, shut out by Chattanooga 3-0

The Spokane Velocity, who led the league in clean sheets (six) entering today’s game, were blanked by the Chattanooga Red Wolves 3-0 at CHI Memorial Stadium in East Ridge, Tennessee on Saturday. 

Although Spokane dominated possession with 64%, Chattanooga (7-2-6) outshot the Velocity 11-7, scoring two goals in the first half before securing the shut out with a third in the second period.

Spokane (8-3-5) finished the game with just one shot on target that came in the first half. 

It only took the Red Wolves four minutes to open the scoring as Yanis Lelin fired a goal that breezed past Carlos Merancio, from the top of the penalty box, assisted by Michael Knapp. 

In the 38th minute, midfielder Omar Hernandez, Chattanooga’s third-best scorer with four goals, converted a free kick after drawing a foul against Collin Fernandez. 

Then, in the second period, Jordan Ayimbila curved a cross to Zahir Vasquez, who headed a short-range shot into the back of the net at the 48-minute mark. 

With the win, Chattanooga jumped into second place, two points behind the Velocity. 

Camron Miller led Spokane’s defense with nine of its 27 clearances and one block. 

The Velocity return home to battle the Sacramento Republic (USL Championship) in the final round of the USL Jagermeister Cup’s group stage. The match will be broadcast on SWX. It will also be streamed on ESPN+.