Soccer on the Sound: Defiance hold off Rapids 2

Tacoma Defiance 2-1 Colorado Rapids 2

TUKWILA, WA–Tacoma Defiance withstood a comeback attempt by Colorado Rapids 2 to win 2-1 at StarFire Sports Complex on Sunday night in MLS NEXT Pro play. Mark Bronik opened the scoring at the half hour mark after collection a thru-ball from Rafael Jauregui to put the Defiance ahead. Edison Carli scored from the penalty spot to double Tacoma’s advantage in the 51st minute.

Tacoma would soon find themselves down to ten men in the 74th minute after Jasper Winslow was sent off for a handball in the box that denied a goal scoring opportunity. Sydney Wathuta scored on the ensuing spot kick to make it 2-1, but that would be as close as the Rapids 2 got and Tacoma picked up three points.

The Defiance move up to sixth in the Western Conference with the win on 20 points from 20 matches plated. Rapids 2 remain rooted to the bottom of the West on 12 points. The Defiance return home on Saturday, August 1st, against Vancouver Whitecaps 2.

Photos by Yuriy Tsupruk