US Soccer’s Club Structure: Series Posts
Behind the Structure – Breakdown of the Structure – Introduction
MEN
Spokane Velocity – An expansion USL League One franchise set to kick off play in 2024.
Spokane Shadow – Locally, the Spokane Shadow have participated in four of the leagues in the ‘fourth tier’ and remain members of EPLWA. They previously played in USL League Two (then PDL) from 1996-2005 when turf issues at Joe Albi Stadium led to the discontinuation of the team. Operated by Brett Sports for nearly off of that period, the Shadow were considered one of the premier teams off the field during that era and were equally as successful on it. The team created a youth arm in 1999 and its continued existence led to a rebirth of the team as inaugural members of EPLWA in 2014, winning the first two titles. The success led to the development of a reserve squad that remained in EPLWA as the First Team began play in the NPSL, competing there from 2017-19 before Covid. Following the pandemic, the Shadow returned solely to EPLWA in 2022 and later added a reserve team in the CPL for one season in 2023.
Yakima United / Yakima Reds – Though there is no official connection, the current Yakima United team that is one of the founding members of EPLWA (2014) has strong ties to the old USL League Two (then PDL) team via the owner/management duo of Hector and Teresa Vega (from 1997-present). The Reds were members of USL from 1995-2010. The team played as a USL League One (then USL Pro) member its first two seasons, though schedules at the time featured USL Pro and USL PDL teams playing against one another (in local comparison similar to 3A/4A in Greater Spokane League).
*** The Spokane-Yakima rivalry is arguably one of the oldest in the western United States, dating back to their first official match April 27, 1996.
Spokane United – The team launched as members of the CPL in 2023 and moved to EPLWA for 2024.
Wenatchee All Stars – Launched in 2021, the side is a member of the CPL.
Wenatchee United / FC – Played the first three seasons of the EPLWA, dropping United from its moniker following the inaugural season.
Walla Walla Stars – Launched in 2023 as members of CPL.
Tri-Cities Badgers – Launching in 2024 as members of EPLWA.
3 Cities FC – Launching in 2024 as members of UPSL.
Tri-Cities Alliance – Played two seasons in the EPLWA in 2018 and did not return following Covid.
Spokane Spiders – A replacement team for the Shadow in the PDL, the Spiders struggled on and off the field from 2006-2010, never finishing above fifth in the division.
WOMEN
Spokane Zephyr – An expansion USL Super League franchise set to kick off play in 2023. The club is also slated to have second team participating in the W-League in the future.
Spokane Shadow – The Shadow launched in 2016 with the creation of the EPLWA sister league Northwest Premier League and were runaway champions the first season and co-regular season champions the next. The team moved on to join the WPSL in 2018, where it has played since (excluding 2020-21 for Covid).
Yakima United – The team was an inaugural member of the Northwest Premier League in 2016 but did not return following Covid.