Key takeaways from Defiance’s first loss of the season
After two dominating wins, the Tacoma Defiance came crashing back to earth in Game 3, falling 5-2 to Ventura County FC on Sunday. The team formerly known as LA Galaxy II was pretty dominant in this one, as the Defiance were repeatedly forced to defend in transition.
On the positive side, Defiance managed to create a fair number of scoring chances of their own and looked like they might be able to get back into the game after twice falling behind by three goals. But each time, Ventura were able to answer again.
Defiance will next play LAFC II at home on April 7.
Notable performances
Jacob Castro: The third-string Sounders goalkeeper gave up five goals, which obviously looks really bad on paper, but the reality is that he was under a ton of pressure. All five goals came on chances inside the penalty area and most of them were in transition. His save saves were as indicative of anything, as the game could have gotten far more out of hand than it was. This was not a standout performance by any stretch, but it wasn’t as bad it looked either.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi: There were no standout positive performers in this loss, but Kossa-Rienzi was once again very solid. Like he did last week, he started in the midfield and then eventually moved back. He won all three of his tackles and was credited with 10 recoveries. Although he won just 4 of 13 duels, he at least showed a willingness to challenge Ventura.
Osaze De Rosario: The forward made his Defiance debut with 23 minutes off the bench and managed to get on the scoresheet in relatively short order. Travian Sousa found De Rosario with a well-placed cross to the back post that was pounded into the net. De Rosario is a big body who moves well. He also completed 9 of 10 passes. Definitely looks like a player worth watching.
Highlights
Stats
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance 2 – Ventura County FC 5
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park
Referee: Matt Thompson
Assistants: Jose Lara, Karsten Gillwald
Fourth official: Osvaldo Delgado Landeros
Weather: 58 degrees and partly cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
VCFC – Ruben Ramos Jr. (Sean Karani) 12’
VCFC – Sean Karani (Jonathan Pérez) 23’
VCFC – Ruben Ramos Jr. (Jonathan Pérez) 34’
TAC – Yu Tsukanome (Owen O’Malley) 40’
VCFC – Gino Vivi (Jonathan Pérez) 56’
TAC – Osaze De Rosario (Travian Sousa) 69’
VCFC – Gino Vivi (Ruben Ramos Jr.) 73’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TAC – Owen O’Malley (caution) 17’
TAC – Frank Daroma (caution) 43’
TAC – Danny Leyva (caution) 52’
TAC – Hervé Diese (caution) 60’
VCFC – Riley Dalgado (caution) 90’
VCFC – Ascel Essengue (caution) 90+9’
LINEUPS & STATS
Tacoma Defiance – Jacob Castro; Owen O’Malley (Antino Lopez 46’), Stuart Hawkins, Elias Katsaros, Travian Sousa; Frank Daroma, Danny Leyva (Burke Fahling 59’); Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Faysal Bettache – captain (Chris Aquino 77’), Sebastian Gomez (Gio Miglietti 46’); Yu Tsukanome (Osaze De Rosario 66’)
Substitutes not used: Lars Helleren, Pedro
Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 13
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 5
Ventura County FC – Brady Scott; Mauricio Cuevas (Carson Klein 85’), Marcus Ferkranus (Carlos Diaz 86’), Ascel Essengue, Riley Dalgado; Tucker Lepley, Isaiah Parente (Nicolas Schelotto 85’); Jonathan Pérez, Ruben Ramos Jr. (Javier Corona Garcia 90+7’), Gino Vivi (Sergio Villalpando 85’); Sean Karani (Aaron Bibout 70’)
Substitutes not used: Diego Lopez, Lucca Adams, Christian Tchouante
Total shots: 19
Shots on goal: 10
Fouls: 14
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 5