SPOKANE, Wash. – In 2024, Spokane Velocity FC made an unprecedented run to the Final as the seventh seed in its inaugural season. Now as the No. 3 seed, Spokane is 90 minutes from becoming the third team to reach the League One Final in each of its first two seasons. Standing in its way Sunday night is No. 7 seed Portland Hearts of Pine, who aim to become the third League One expansion club to reach the Final in its debut season. Kick off at ONE Spokane Stadium is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know. 

How They Got Here  

Spokane Velocity FC (14-7-9, 51pts) – Spokane had its back against the wall down a goal in the 114th minute of its Quarterfinal contest against South Georgia Tormenta FC. Anuar Pelaez’s penalty leveled the tie and propelled Velocity to complete the comeback as it looks to return to the Final, with the hosts earning a 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout as goalkeeper Carlos Merancio made a key save in the fourth round to help send the side through. Spokane held Tormenta to just two shots on target after the club averaged 4.37 across the regular season. This weekend, Spokane will face Portland, which ranks first in shots on target on the road in the league this season with 65. 

Portland Hearts of Pine (11-7-12, 45pts) – Hearts of Pine pulled off a gutsy road win against No. 2 seed Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, who finished two points behind the Players’ Shield winners, earning a 1-0 win in its first postseason contest. Hearts’ leading scorer, Ollie Wright, had the winning goal in the second half, his fourth match-winner of the season. Portland comes into the weekend on a four-match unbeaten run, where it’s scored 10 goals, and have scored in six consecutive games. Portland ranked third in the league in the regular season with 48 goals and are now matched up against a strong defense in Spokane, which gave up the fourth-fewest goals during the regular season. 

All-Time Series 

The inaugural meeting between these two clubs was a tight 0-0 draw in Washington State. However, there’s no doubt Spokane will have revenge on its mind after the 6-1 drubbing it suffered two weeks ago in Portland that saw Natty James score twice for Hearts of Pine at Fitzpatrick Stadium. 

Opta Says 

2 – Spokane Velocity FC became the first club to win two penalty shootouts in the League One Playoffs all-time, having advanced past Forward Madison FC from the spot a season ago. 

22.25 – Portland Hearts of Pine has recorded the second-highest Expected Goals on the road in League One this season with 22.25xG in 16 games across the regular season and playoffs. 

Players to Watch  

Spokane Velocity FC – Anuar Pelaez: Spokane’s second all-time leading scorer, stepped up for the club in two crucial moments last week, converting from the spot both in extra time and in the ensuing penalty shootout against Tormenta. He’s now scored in consecutive matches for the second time this season; the last time, he picked up four goals in four games. 

Portland Hearts of Pine – Masashi Wada: The Japanese midfielder is expected to make his League One Playoffs debut after serving a red card suspension last weekend. Wada's nine goals tied him with Wright for the club lead in League One play as he recorded 40 shots and 30 chances created in 26 appearances. 

Uniforms 

Discipline Report 

Spokane Velocity FC – none 

Portland Hearts of Pine – none 

Officials 
REF: Elvis Osmanovic 
AR1: Matthew Schwartz 
AR2: Christian Clerc 
4TH: Edson Carvajal