Statistical Trends Smile On Shadow Spokane Plays At Home Again, Taking On Winless Vancouver

Here are some encouraging numbers for the USISL Premier League Northwest Division regulars.

The collective record for the teams that have been around for at least two years is 9-0. The newcomers, or the teams playing provisional schedules this season, have not won.

The Spokane Shadow (2-0) has their third straight home game against one of the first-year programs. Saturday at Albi Stadium, it’s the Vancouver 86ers (0-3), the developmental squad of an A-League team of the same name.

In the previous two weeks, the Shadow have beaten up on newcomers Abbotsford and Okanagan by identical scores of 7-0. They also lost 1-0 in an exhibition against the A-League Seattle Sounders.

“The Sounders game really tested us,” Shadow coach Sean Bushey said. “It gave us a chance to see where we’re at. We’re getting closer.”

As far as Saturday’s opponent, Bushey said he’s convinced the 86ers will present more of a challenge than the other provisional squads.

Last season, Spokane played the 86ers A-League team in an exhibition and lost 2-0.

The Shadow will play without Chad Brown, one of their top scorers. Brown, a 1994 Central Valley High grad who plays college ball at Fresno State, was selected to play in the Adidas Summer League, a program in Hartford, Conn., designed for the top 90 collegiate players nationwide.

The third-year midfielder, who scored one goal and three assists against the Okanagan Challenge, was named to the Premier League team of the week this week. He’s expected to return June 26.

Spokane also will be without Mike Thompson. The midfielder separated his shoulder in the first 10 minutes of the exhibition with the Sounders, but continued to play. He’s expected to be out about two weeks.

Goalkeeper Chad Beadell, who hasn’t suited up in three weeks because of an ankle injury, should be back. He’ll replace reserve keeper Chris Mullen, who’s unavailable.