Soccer on the Sound: Defiance overcome early deficit to defeat LAFC 2

Tacoma Defiance 4-2 LAFC 2

TUKWILA, WA–Tacoma Defiance overcame a 2-0 deficit in the first 16 minutes to defeat LAFC 2, 4-2, and keep their playoff hopes alive in MLS NEXT Pro. The Defiance are now just three points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West currently held by Minnesota United 2.

LAFC 2 went 2-0 up in the first 16 minutes of the match. The first goal in the ninth minute was an own goal off Antino Lopez. Tacoma did get a penalty two minutes later, but Yu Tsukanome’s spot kick would be saved by Cabral Carter to preserve the lead. That lead doubled in the 16th minute courtesy of Adrian Wibowo.

Tacoma would fight back and pulled one back in the 23rd minute as Charles Dodzi scored from an acute angle. Dodzi would also get the equalizer in the 36th minute.

The Defiance would go up a man after the hour mark as Carlos Diaz was sent off for a denial of a goalscoring opportunity against Omar Hassan. Three minutes later, they would be up a goal as well as off the corner kick as Sebastian Gomez would flick it past Cabral far post. Charley Gaffney would conclude the scoring in the 89th minute off a low cross from Jackson Khoury.

Tacoma’s next match is Friday against Minnesota United 2 in a playoff six-pointer. Kickoff is at 5pm PT on Apple TV from the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN.

Photos by Yuriy Tsupruk