Despite deploying a starting XI that featured six first-teamers, the Tacoma Defiance needed a standout performance in the shootout to pull out a bonus point following a 0-0 regulation tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 on Sunday. Andrew Thomas made two saves in the shootout and three more saves in regulation, including one that came on a 1v1 chance. The Defiance had a couple golden opportunities to score, probably the best of which was when Gio Miglietti had an open net from a Dylan Teves cross but couldn’t direct his shot on goal.
Key performers
Andrew Thomas: In a rare MLS Next Pro start after establishing himself as the Sounders’ No. 2, Thomas did nothing to diminish his status. Although he needed the crossbar to bail him out once, he made all the saves you’d expect and came up big on several good Whitecaps chances. The biggest was in the 17th minute when Johnny Selemani broke through for a clear 1v1 chance, but Thomas sprawled out to make the stop. He followed that up with two very good saves in the shootout.
Nathan: After failing to even make the bench with the first team the last several weeks, the veteran centerback was given a somewhat surprising start. Maybe it was in anticipation of more playing time with the first team during this upcoming fixture congestion, or maybe it’s a sign of just how far he’s fallen on the depth chart. Either way, he was mostly pretty good aside from getting badly beaten on the dribble before Thomas bailed him out on Selemani’s shot. Nathan finished 80 of 92 passing, including 12 of 17 on long balls while winning 13 of 16 duels.
Georgi Minoungou: Although his influence waned as the match wore on, the winger was absolutely electric in moments. Early on he got two good looks that forced saves and he seemed to be attacking with every touch. Minoungou very clearly has the physical traits to be an MLS player, it’s just the final product that still seems a bit wanting.
Highlights
Stats
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance 0 (4) – Whitecaps FC 2 (2)
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Servando Berna
Assistants: James Ewer, Eric Wood
Fourth official: Dion Coxe-Trieger
Weather: 55 degrees and mostly cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
None
SHOOTOUT SUMMARY
VAN – Eliot Goldthorp (scored)
TAC – Chris Aquino (scored)
VAN – Buster Sjoberg (scored)
TAC – Faysal Bettache (scored)
VAN – Antoine Coupland (saved)
TAC – Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (scored)
VAN – Malcolm Simmons (saved)
TAC – Travian Sousa (scored)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
VAN – Jeevan Badwal (caution) 65’
TAC – Frank Daroma (caution) 70’
LINEUPS & STATS
Tacoma Defiance – Andrew Thomas; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Stuart Hawkins, Nathan, Jonathan Bell (Travian Sousa 61’); Sota Kitahara, Frank Daroma; Georgi Minoungou (Faysal Bettache 66’), Snyder Brunell (Chris Aquino 75’), Dylan Teves (Yu Tsukanome 46’); Gio Miglietti – captain (Osaze De Rosario 46’)
Substitutes not used: Jacob Castro, Owen O’Malley, Antino Lopez, Burke Fahling
Total shots: 18
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 14
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 3
Whitecaps FC 2 – Isaac Boehmer; Buster Sjoberg, Belal Halbouni (Immanuel Mathe 62’), Finn Linder; Luca Chen, Jeevan Badwal, Jay Herdman – captain (Myles Morgan 75’), Ralph-William Johnson Priso-Mbongue (Malcolm Simmons 46’), Eliot Goldthorp; Cyprian Kachwele, Johnny Selemani (Antoine Coupland 46’)
Substitutes not used: Max Anchor, Mihail Gherasimencov, Darko Ilic, Mateo Clark, Malek Mehrix
Total shots: 8
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 11
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 2
Saves: 4
