It’s no secret that playing on the road, especially for consecutive matches, has its challenges for any sports team. Spokane Zephyr is right in the thick of that reality right now.
After hosting seven of its first eight matches of the season, Spokane is closing out the Fall Schedule on a six-match road trip. The team has gone 0-1-3 thus far and has scored just one goal.
To be fair, the club was riding the line of just getting by even before this road stretch:
- The team had a record of 2-3-3 during those first eight matches, hovering around the sixth and seventh place in the standings.
- It had a goal differential of minus-2 with nine goals for, 11 against and only two clean sheets.
- Zephyr dropped four points from winning positions and conceded first on four other occasions. While holding the edge in Expected Goals in six of eight games, it was unable to deliver results consistently.
In Spokane’s final home match, it earned a thrilling 1-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Sun that looked like it would propel the team into the road trip with a little momentum. Since then, however, it can’t seem to come away with all three points.
The trip started with a loss against first-placed Brooklyn, where Spokane recorded its fewest shots in a single match all season (3). The team looked like it would come away with a win at Lexington but conceded late to finish 1-1.
The draws against Carolina Ascent and Dallas Trinity, despite ending scoreless, were two of the best performances from Spokane this season. Those matches showcased what Zephyr needs to do in its final two matches of the Fall Schedule to make a push above the playoff line.
- Find their stars: Emina Ekić and Sophia Braun combined for 21 penalty area entries, 18 crosses, nine shots, nine tackles and 31 duels won in the last three matches. Getting those two internationals involved in the attack is the best way for Spokane to get opportunities in front of goal.
- Keep up the defensive efforts: Holding two of the best attacking teams scoreless is a feat Spokane should be proud of. Hope Hisey also looks confident and comfortable in goal, and she has recorded eight saves during this road trip.
- Take advantage of breakaways: Spokane’s high press forced Dallas to turn the ball over and created multiple transition opportunities for Zephyr. They just need to make the most out of those 2v1 and 3v2 chances when the opponent’s defense is out of position.
Spokane will head to Fort Lauderdale in two weeks before closing out the fall against Tampa Bay. Both teams are directly above and below Spokane in the current standings.
The team has two opportunities to get back in the win column and gain some confidence before returning to ONE Spokane Stadium in the spring.
This is an excerpt from The Super Newsletter, the USL Super League’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Thursday.