Key takeaways from Tacoma Defiance’s loss to North Texas

Jeremiah Oshan -

The Tacoma Defiance made a couple uncharacteristic defensive lapses and wasted several golden scoring chances, while falling to previously winless North Texas 2-1 on Sunday. The Defiance went down early on a 4th minute goal, then conceded a second goal after seemingly taking control of the match before grabbing a very late consolation goal of their own through Paul Rothrock. Defiance twice had a chance to cut the deficit to one earlier with golden chances, but missed open nets on both occassions.

Notable performers

Paul Rothrock: For the second straight week, the midfielder was with Defiance. After a bit of a down performance against LAFCII, he bounced back against North Texas. Not only did he have a goal, he just was very active while playing both right mid and right back. He was 2 of 3 tackles, had seven recoveries and was 8 for 13 on duels.

Travian Sousa: The left back was all over the place, both offensively and defensively. In addition to the assist to Rothrock, he created three other chances and was a bit unlucky not to have another assist. He also won 5 of 6 tackles and was 8 for 11 on duels.

Jacob Castro: The Homegrown goalkeeper is clearly a talent, but he’ll certainly want North Texas’ second goal back. With the Defiance trailing, but starting to dominate play Enes Sali sent a shot through the box. Although it deflected off a Defiance defender, Castro seemed to have a good view of it and allowed it to go through his arms. For the season, Castro has allowed right about where xG thinks he should be (8.77 xG faced while allowing 9 actual goals). That’s not bad, but also not the kind of performance that will push him into the conversation for the Sounders backup job.

Highlights

Stats

MATCH SUMMARY

Tacoma Defiance 1 – North Texas SC 2

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Venue: Choctaw Stadium

Referee: Mark Verso

Assistants: Jay Norris, Charles Rupert

Fourth official: Bryan Parra

Weather: 77 degrees and mostly sunny 

SCORING SUMMARY

NTX – Tarik Scott (Anthony Ramirez) 4’

NTX – Enes Sali (Carl Fred Sainte) 45+2’

TAC – Paul Rothrock (Travian Sousa) 90+6’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY 

TAC – Paul Rothrock (caution) 24’

NTX – Nolan Norris (caution) 40’

TAC – Travian Sousa (caution) 41’

TAC – Snyder Brunell (caution) 71’

TAC – Gio Miglietti (caution) 78’

NTX – Daniel Baran (caution) 82’

NTX – Enes Sali (caution) 84’

LINEUPS & STATS 

Tacoma Defiance – Jacob Castro; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (Georgi Minoungou 46’), Antino Lopez, Stuart Hawkins, Travian Sousa; Snyder Brunell, Sota Kitahara; Paul Rothrock, Faysal Bettache – captain (Chris Aquino 80’), Sebastian Gomez (Osaze De Rosario 46’); Yu Tsukanome (Gio Miglietti 72’)

Substitutes not used: Lars Helleren, Elias Katsaros, Burke Fahling

Total shots: 18

Shots on goal: 9

Fouls: 12

Offside: 1

Corner-kicks: 8

Saves: 3

North Texas SC – Michael Collodi; Turner Humphrey, Amet Korça (Nicholas Mendonca 66’), Carl Fred Sainte; Herbert Endeley (Diego Pepi 70’), Nolan Norris, Anthony Ramirez (Adrian Anguiano 80’), Isaiah Parker (Daniel Baran 46’); Tarik Scott, Malik Henry-Scott, Enes Sali (Leonardo Orejarena 89’)

Substitutes not used: Luke Curtis Shreiner, Lautaro Taboada, Victor Darub, Leo Molombe Londe, Jr.

Total shots: 9

Shots on goal: 5

Fouls: 14

Offside: 2

Corner-kicks: 3

Saves: 5