Spokane Zephyr FC
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| Founded | May 16, 2023 | ||
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| Dissolved | May 20, 2026 | ||
| Stadium | One Spokane Stadium Spokane, Washington | ||
| Capacity | 5,000 | ||
| Owner(s) | Ryan and Katie Harnetiaux[1] | ||
| League | USL Super League | ||
| Website | spokanezephyrfc | ||
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Spokane Zephyr FC was an American professional women's soccer club based in Spokane, Washington, that competed in the USL Super League (USLS) from 2024 to 2026. The club was owned by Aequus Sports, which also operates Spokane Velocity FC of USL League One (USL1).
History
[edit]Aequus Sports was granted a USL Super League franchise on May 16, 2023.[2] On November 4, 2023, the name and crest of the club were announced.[3][4] Spokane would be the westernmost market in the league's inaugural season, with more West Coast teams planned in later expansions.[5]
Zephyr FC played their inaugural match on August 17, 2024, against Fort Lauderdale United FC to a sold-out crowd on their home field at ONE Spokane Stadium, drawing 1–1. Emina Ekić scored the club's first goal off a penalty kick.[6] In their first season in the USL Super League, Zephyr FC finished 5th and did not qualify for the playoffs due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.[7] In their second season, the Zephyr finished just below playoff qualification with a 10–9–9 record.[8] Attendance at home matches fell from an average of 2,500 in the inaugural season to 1,500 in the second season.[9]
On May 20, 2026, Aequus Sports announced that Zephyr FC would cease operations immediately.[9][10] During their tenure in the USL Super League, Zephyr FC had the longest travel distances of any team; their nearest opponents were Dallas Trinity FC at 1,500 miles (2,400 km).[11]
Stadium
[edit]The team played at One Spokane Stadium, an outdoor venue in Downtown Spokane with over 5,000 seats.[12][13] Aequus Sports signed a 10-year agreement with the Spokane Public Facilities District to lease the stadium.[9]
Club identity
[edit]The Zephyr name and primary colors—Basalt Black and Palouse Gold—refer to the Inland Northwest's geography.[4][3] The Z in the logo is a reference to the west wind, that "sweeps in and reshapes the landscape."[14]
Players and staff
[edit]Final roster
[edit]- As of February 18, 2026[15]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Academy players
[edit]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Final staff
[edit]- As of October 9, 2025
| Coaching staff[16] | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Nicole Lukic |
| Assistant coach | Sly Yeates |
| Front Office Staff | |
| President, USL Spokane | Katie Harnetiaux[17] |
Records
[edit]Year-by-year
[edit]- As of May 16, 2026
| Season | League | Regular season | Playoffs | Avg. attendance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos | ||||
| 2024–25 | USLS | 28 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 37 | 32 | 42 | 5th | DNQ | 2,537 |
| 2025–26 | USLS | 28 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 28 | 39 | 5th | DNQ | 1,566 |
Head coaching record
[edit]- As of October 7, 2025
Only competitive matches are counted.*
| Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jo Johnson |  United States |
June 25, 2024 | June 3, 2025 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 37 | 32 | 39.29 |
| Josh McAllister (interim) | United States |
June 18, 2025 | October 7, 2025 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 25 |
| Nicole Lukic | United States |
October 7, 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Team records
[edit]| Player | Appearances | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Nat. | Pos. | Zephyr career | USLS | Playoffs | Total |
| 1 | Emma Jaskaniec |  |
MF | 2024–2026 | 55 | 0 | 55 |
| 2 | Sarah McCoy | |
DF | 2024–2026 | 52 | 0 | 52 |
| 3 | Haley Thomas | |
DF | 2024–2026 | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| 4 | Hope Hisey | |
GK | 2024–2026 | 49 | 0 | 49 |
| 5 | Sophia Braun |  |
MF | 2024–2026 | 46 | 0 | 46 |
| 6 | Reese Tappan | |
DF | 2025–2026 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 7 | Ally Cook | |
FW | 2025–2026 | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| Katie Murray | |
MF | 2024–2026 | 33 | 0 | 33 | |
| 9 | Lena Silano | |
FW | 2025–2026 | 28 | 0 | 28 |
| 10 | Kelsey Oyler | |
DF | 2025–2026 | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| Natalie Viggiano | |
FW | 2024–2026 | 27 | 0 | 27 | |
| Player | Goals scored | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Nat. | Pos. | Zephyr career | USLS | Playoffs | Total |
| 1 | Ally Cook | |
FW | 2025–2026 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2 | Emina Ekić |  |
MF | 2024–2025 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 3 | Lena Silano | |
FW | 2025–2026 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 4 | Emma Jaskaniec | |
MF | 2024–2026 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 5 | Taylor Aylmer | |
MF | 2024–2025 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Felicia Knox | |
MF | 2025–2026 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| Tori Waldeck Zierenberg | |
FW | 2025–2026 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 8 | Sydney Cummings |  |
DF | 2024–2025 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Katie Murray | |
MF | 2024–2026 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| McKenzie Weinert | |
FW | 2024–2025 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Ownership". USL Spokane. January 26, 2026. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
- ↑ Allen, Jim (May 16, 2023). "Spokane gets top-tier USL women's soccer team". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- 1 2 "USL Spokane Reveals Name and Crest of New Professional Women's Soccer Team". USL Spokane. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- 1 2 "New Women's Spokane Soccer team name revealed". KREM 2 News. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ↑ Reed, Justin (February 13, 2024). "Zephyr at the Zenith: Spokane's women's soccer franchise celebrates USL Super League news". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ↑ "Zephyr's USL Super League debut ends in 1-1 draw with Fort Lauderdale". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ↑ "League Standings - USL Super League". USL Super League. Archived from the original on June 12, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ↑ Allison, John (May 16, 2026). "Spokane Zephyr miss playoffs despite historic win over Brooklyn FC". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Nichols, Dave (May 20, 2026). "Spokane Zephyr FC announce via website post 2025-26 season will be last". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
- ↑ Frizzell, Casey (May 20, 2026). "Spokane Zephyr FC ceasing operations after 2 seasons". KREM. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Craven, Brock (May 20, 2026). "Spokane Zephyr FC folds, will not return for third season". SWX NonStop Local Sports. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Nichols, Dave (January 3, 2024). "Difference makers: ONE Spokane Stadium provides home field for city's student-athletes, professional soccer". Spokesman.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ↑ Clark, Colton (August 17, 2024). "Zephyr's USL Super League debut ends in 1-1 draw with Fort Lauderdale". Spokesman.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ↑ "Zephyr FC Crest".
- ↑ "2025-26 Zephyr FC Roster". www.uslspokane.com.
- ↑ "Zephyr FC Technical Staff". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Katie Harnetiaux Joins USL Spokane as President". Spokane Velocity Football Club. October 18, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Spokane Zephyr FC
- 2023 establishments in Washington (state)
- 2026 disestablishments in Washington (state)
- Association football clubs established in 2023
- Association football clubs disestablished in 2026
- Defunct soccer clubs in Washington (state)
- Former USL Super League teams
- Women's soccer clubs in Washington (state)
