Expansion side Spokane Velocity FC announced its first two players yesterday: midfielder Morgan Hackworth and defender Derek Waldeck.
Hackworth brings five seasons of USL Championship experience, having spent the last four with San Diego Loyal. He was released along with all of San Diego’s players after the club ceased operations. The 26 year old Philadelphia native made 58 appearances with San Diego, after starting his professional career with Memphis 901 in 2019. Hackworth also appeared in the 2018 NCAA College Cup final with the University of Akron.
Hackworth’s final season at San Diego saw one start at right midfield, with 17 appearances off the bench. San Diego clinched a playoff spot, but was eliminated by eventual champions Phoenix Rising in extra time in the round of 16.
With limited minutes in 2023, a fresh start with an expansion side is an opportunity to jumpstart a career. Hackworth is listed as an attacking midfielder, and in his final year at Akron posted four goals and five assists in 20 appearances.
Waldeck joins Spokane Velocity after a season with one of last year’s expansion sides, One Knoxville SC. The 25 year old native of Santa Clarita, CA appeared in 30 matches in 2023, all but one of which were starts. He helped anchor the league’s best defensive squad, giving up just 39 goals.
Listed as a left back, Waldeck is also capable of starting at right back, or anywhere in a defensive midfield. He was among his squad’s leaders in interceptions, tackles won and duels won. Showcasing his versatility, he also led One Knox in assists, with six on the season, along with chances created at 47.
Waldeck was previously drafted by FC Dallas 66th overall in the 2020 MSL Superdraft, and spent three seasons with North Texas SC before an August transfer to Greenville Triumph for the remainder of the 2022 season.
This will not be the first time Hackworth and Waldeck have met, as Hackworth’s Akron Zips and Waldeck’s Stanford Cardinal met in the round of eight in the 2018 college cup. The Zips won that match on the way to their final appearance.
Spokane Velocity Coach Leigh Veidman called Hackworth and Waldeck “two high character people,” who will be “instrumental in the locker room” for the inaugural season.
With open tryouts complete and off-season free agency in full swing, the team expects to fill out the roster in the next few weeks. The team will make its league debut at Greenville on March 9th, followed by its home debut against Richmond Kickers on March 16th.