Fresh off a dominating win over the defending MLS Next Pro champions, the Tacoma Defiance followed up with a dismantling of the league’s best regular-season team from a year ago. The Defiance beat the Colorado Rapids 2 by a score of 4-2 on Sunday, but it was barely even that close. The Defiance jumped out to leads of 2-0 and 4-1, and were never really challenged.
Georgi Minoungou opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he took a long pass from Faysal Bettache, cut it back and then put his shot off the inside of the near post. Bettache then got two for himself, first off a giveaway and then by finishing off a nice team-goal after Kalani Kossa-Rienzi set him up for a blasted shot from the top of the penalty area. Yu Tsukanome then finished off the scoring with an easy finish at the back post from a perfect Tavian Sousa cross.
Former Defiance player Marlon Vargas scored one of Rapids 2’s goals.
Highlights
Standout performers
Bettache: Through two games, the midfielder now has three goals and an assist. Bettache had another strong all-around match in his 75 minutes, winning 5 of 11 duels, 3 of 4 tackles and converting 2 of 4 dribbles. Bettache was a constant threat again, both with the ball at his feet and chasing down the opposition.
Minoungou: The physical tools have always been obvious, but it’s starting to look like the winger is putting together some of the final product now. He had an assist in the first game and a very well taken goal in this one. He was constantly a menace with 12 touches in the Rapids’ penalty area and going 4 of 5 on dribbles.
Baker: Just one day after coming off the bench for the Sounders, the right back got the start for the Defiance. Although he only played a half, Baker was still a presence by completing 17 of 20 passes. What was most notable about this was that he played at all. The Defiance seemingly have plenty of bodies at this point, suggesting maybe Baker was here just to get in some extra minutes ahead of a potential first-team start next week.
Match summary
Tacoma Defiance 4 – Colorado Rapids 2 2
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Corbyn May
Assistants: Eric Krueger, Cephas Quartson
Fourth official: Hunter Zacwieja
Weather: 58 degrees and mostly sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
TAC – Georgi Minoungou (Faysal Bettache) 15’
TAC – Faysal Bettache (Yu Tsukanome) 35’
COL – Marlon Vargas (Wayne Frederick) 45+2’
TAC – Faysal Bettache (Kalani Kossa-Rienzi) 49’
TAC – Yu Tsukanome (Travian Sousa) 59’
COL – Joshua Belluz (Robinson Aguirre) 77’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TAC – Travian Sousa (caution) 44’
LINEUPS & STATS
Tacoma Defiance – Jacob Castro; Cody Baker (Sebastian Gomez 46’), Antino Lopez, Stuart Hawkins, Travian Sousa; Snyder Brunell (Owen O’Malley 88’), Frank Daroma; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Faysal Bettache – captain (Chris Aquino 74’), Georgi Minoungou (Burke Fahling 65’); Yu Tsukanome (Gio Miglietti 65’)
Substitutes not used: Lars Helleren, Pedro, Elias Katsaros, Osaze De Rosario
Total shots: 19
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 9
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 8
Saves: 0
Colorado Rapids 2 – Ethan Bandré, Daniel Garcia (Patrick Dormoh 65’), Joshua Belluz, Nate Jones, Logan Batiste (Miguel Alvarado 65’), Wayne Frederick, Robinson Aguirre (Colton Swan 85’), Ricardo Peña (Noah Strellnauer 65’), Antony García (Rogelio Garcia 65’), Alec Díaz, Marlon Vargas
Substitutes not used: Zackory Campagnolo, Andre Romo
Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 12
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 1
