Soccer on the Sound: Defiance fall to Timbers in Open Cup

Tacoma Defiance 2-3 Portland Timbers

TUKWILA, WA–On Tuesday night, Portland Timbers came from behind late to deny Tacoma Defiance a “Cup-set” and advance to the Round of 16 with a 3-2 win at StarFire Stadium. The Timbers will be away to San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, May 20th (7:30pm PT, CBS Sports Network/Paramount+).

Zac McGraw opened the scoring for the Timbers in the 33rd minute off a corner kick. However, the MLS NEXT Pro side would come back and then take the lead. Osaze De Rosario and Yu Tsukanome scored two minutes apart to give the Defiance a 2-1 lead they would carry into the final ten minutes of the match.

Photo: Yuriy Tsupruk

However, it would turn out not to be as the Timbers would get an equalizer in the 80th minute through Gage Guerra making his first-team debut and then Kevin Kelsey would score from the spot in stoppage time to break Tacoma hearts.

Next game for the Timbers is Saturday at home to Sporting Kansas City (7:30pm PT, Apple TV), while the Defiance will travel to Burnaby on Wednesday to take on Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (6pm PT, Apple TV).

For more of Yuriy Tsupruk’s photos from Tuesday night, please click on the link to his gallery.