Strong soccer culture in Spokane provides great backdrop for Reign FC to thrive

There’s never been any doubt that the state of Washington has a strong soccer culture.

As is evident from the professional teams in the state, from Seattle Reign FC and Sounders FC to Spokane Zephyr and Velocity, the beautiful game has planted deep roots across  Washington.

This month, Seattle’s teams extended their reach to Spokane, where they competed at ONE Spokane Stadium for the first time. The Sounders dazzled Spokanites with their 2-1 comeback win over the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Reign swiftly followed suit, making a statement in their 3-0 win over the defending NWSL Shield winning Kansas City Current.

Now, the Reign have two more matches to look forward to at ONE Spokane Stadium and everyone in the area is invited to take part in what’s sure to be an exciting set of fixtures in the city.

"We've watched the league grow over the past couple years and stepping into it now, it feels like the vets and the people who came before us did a lot of work to put us in this position now. Going to Spokane and expanding Seattle soccer across the whole entire state is really, really cool,” said Reign FC goalkeeper and Seattle Reign Academy alum Neeku Purcell.

It's easy for the Reign to travel all the way across the state and feel right at home because of incredible support statewide. It’s clear that the soccer culture in the state is truly unified – and it has been for quite some time. Long before Seattle Reign FC, women across the state were paving the way for the next generations.

Illustrated by the Queen’s Match hosted by the Reign last season, the origin of top-level soccer in this country can be traced back to the state of Washington. On the first-ever United States Women’s National Team, eight of 17 total players on the roster, as well as the head coach of the squad, hailed from the Evergreen State.

Now, that legacy that generations of athletes have worked so hard to create, is being carried on across the entire state, at every level of play, from Seattle to Spokane.

“It really does start with youth soccer in Washington; the philosophies across different cities and different clubs are relatively similar. The whole state is so player focused and development focused, and we all want the best for the players, on the field and off the field. Traveling all throughout Washington during our youth careers was really fun. To play not only good opponents, but teams who are trying to play the right way and trying to develop really good players was great,” said Purcell.

“To add to that, what makes Washington soccer so special is the focus on player development,” said Reign FC midfielder and Seattle local Sally Menti. “Each organization and coach across the state wants the best for their players and create really great opportunities, like going to youth camps, international camps, like Neeku and I did. It was really great growing up playing soccer in this state, with these organizations, in both western and eastern Washington.”

Spokane is already host to plenty of good memories for soccer fans and players alike. From cross-state road trips to college matchups, players like Menti and Purcell return to the Lilac City with a deep fondness, ready to build new memories.

“I definitely have some core memories from the road trips. Usually in Spokane, it was so much hotter than it ever was in Seattle, so it was always a really funny adjustment to make. The road trips over there with my teammates were always super fun,” Purcell shared.

“We’re all really excited to be playing across the state. It feels like a new opportunity to engage with new fans and I know from experience like playing Gonzaga in college that their town shows up for sporting event,"praised Menti. “We’re really treating these games like home games and we’re excited for the fans out there.”

And so far, Spokane has showed up for the Reign. In the Reign’s first match at ONE Spokane Stadium local fans and traveling fans alike were loud and proud, urging the Reign on to a decisive victory and important three points from the intimate venue.

Now, the Reign will be looking to build on that momentum as the team gears up for Saturday’s match against Racing Louisville FC. Fans are invited to come to the match of course, but can also enjoy a lineup of events at Flatstick Pub, including a Reign Rally on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. and a Pre-Game Social beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

“Even though Spokane is four hours away from Seattle, the fans bring the same energy we get at Lumen Field. After being on the road, we’re so excited to be in front of our fans again,” said Purcell.

Menti, who made her return to the pitch this week after starting the season injured, added, “We’re hungry for more. We want to entertain and we want to get score goals. We really want to do well this season and the fans are a huge part of that – the are the reason why we can do well. We truly appreciate everyone showing up.”