Luis Gil, Anuar Pelaez score two goals apiece as Velocity rout Triumph 4-0

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Luis Gil and Anuar Pelaez both scored twice and the Spokane Velocity defeated the Greenville Triumph 4-0 to earn their first League One win of the 2025 season at Paladin Stadium Saturday evening.

Spokane (1-1-1) was forced to play in its back half early as the Triumph (1-1-1) began the game aggressively and controlled possession in the first 10 minutes.

It didn’t take long for the Velocity to generate momentum and Lucky Opara and Luis Gil connected for two first-half goals.

In the 11th minute, Opara fed Gil with a well-placed ball on the right side of the penalty area. With a defender pressed against him, Gil one-tapped the ball past Greenville goalkeeper Gunther Rankenburg into the bottom-left corner , giving Spokane a 1-0 lead.

The pair connected again with an identical play. Off a ground pass from Opara, Gil rifled a left-footed shot to give Spokane a 2-0 cushion.

Later in the second period, Anuar Pelaez - who subbed in for Neco Brett early in the first half - scored consecutive goals in the final 30 minutes of the game.

At the 73-minute mark, Pelaez received a grounded cross from Shavon John-Brown in the goalie box. From a couple of feet away, Pelaez tapped the ball into the back of the net. Ten minutes later, the center forward scored again off an assist from Ismaila Jome.

Spokane travels to Tukwila, Washington, to take on the Tacoma Defiance in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

That match will be streamed on U.S. Soccer’s youtube channel.

The Velocity will resume league play Saturday against the Portland Hearts of Pine at ONE Spokane Stadium at 6 p.m.

That match will be broadcast on ESPN+.