Aequus Sports LLC, the ownership group that governs Lilac City’s professional soccer club, USL Spokane, has grown its organization and fan base since launching in 2023, aiming to spotlight the Inland Northwest region.

The club is comprised of three soccer teams and 50 players, including a professional men’s soccer team known as Spokane Velocity FC, a professional women’s team dubbed Spokane Zephyr FC, and a pre-professional women’s team, also dubbed Spokane Zephyr. The teams will collectively compete in over 40 soccer matches over the next 12 months at Spokane ONE Stadium, in the North Bank neighborhood.

The soccer club has 30 administrative staff and is headquartered on the second floor of the Bennett Block Building, at 530 W. Main downtown.

 How has the organization adapted or innovated in the past year?  

Innovation is at the heart of how we approach fan engagement, athlete care, and revenue growth. We are on the leading edge of player care, launching the first designated safety officer in the United Soccer League, a position that was created to protect athletes. We also created the Community Kit, which is aimed at raising awareness and driving donations through a giveback of 10% by our club.

Has the organization overcome any obstacles in the past year?

Launching one professional team in a year is a monumental task, but launching both women’s and men’s professional teams has never been done before in the U.S. Given the footprint of our leagues and the intense travel required by our teams, we are proud to have created an amazing game-day experience for players and fans. 

 In what ways does your organization give back to the community?

Our athletes spent time in the Communities In Schools and countless nonprofits, giving back to dozens of organizations with both time and financial support. We gave over 3,000 comp tickets to our matches to nonprofit youth organizations in the region, ensuring that all families would have a chance to come to ONE Spokane Stadium and enjoy our events.