Fresh off ending their three-game losing streak, the Tacoma Defiance won their second straight game, this time beating Timbers2 1-0 on Sunday at Starfire Stadium. The Defiance got a goal from Yu Tsukanome, who converted a rebound from a Georgi Minoungou shot, and a shutout by Andrew Thomas. Defiance featured a starting lineup with six players on first-team contracts.
Highlights
Key performers
Georgi Minoungou: This was one of those games where the promise and frustration are both on full display. With the ball on his feet, Minoungou was almost unstoppable, constantly putting T2 defenders on skates. One of those moves actually created the goal, albeit off his rebound. He also put a shot off the crossbar and another off the post. But for all his positive movement, he also failed to convert anything directly.
Andrew Thomas: Likely in preparation for next week’s U.S. Open Cup match, Thomas got his first live game action in about six weeks. He wasn’t asked to do much – he had to make just two saves – but he was 19 of 27 passing and was generally strong in his distribution. He did have one nervy moment, coming way off his line in an attempt to grab a long throw-in. He did not grab it, leaving him in the odd position of being farther away from goal than six Defiance defenders. Ultimately, the danger was cleared.
Stuart Hawkins: The 17-year-old centerback was a perfect 47/47 passing that included 4/4 on long balls, while playing his typically sound defense. Hawkins was 2/2 on tackles, 5/8 on duels, had 12 clearances and was credited with 17 defensive actions. He was also good when defending in space and was able to handle any questions he was asked.
Stats
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance 1 – Timbers2 0
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Calin Radosav
Assistants: Christian Lara, Bruno Rizo
Fourth official: Christopher Calderon
Weather: 71 degrees and mostly cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
TAC – Yu Tsukanome (Georgi Minoungou) 25’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TAC – Cody Baker (caution) 7’
POR – Victor Enriquez Velazquez (caution) 10’
POR – Jaden Jones-Riley (caution) 69’
TAC – Faysal Bettache (caution) 70’
TAC – Travian Sousa (caution) 83’
LINEUPS & STATS
Tacoma Defiance – Andrew Thomas; Cody Baker (Kalani Kossa-Rienzi 61’), Antino Lopez, Stuart Hawkins, Travian Sousa; Sota Kitahara, Danny Leyva (Frank Daroma 61’); Georgi Minoungou (Blake Bowen 89’), Faysal Bettache – captain (Snyder Brunell 75’), Dylan Teves (Sebastian Gomez 61’); Yu Tsukanome (Osaze De Rosario 69’)
Substitutes not used: Lars Helleren, Elias Katsaros, Chris Aquino
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 20
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 1
Timbers2 – Carver Miller; Harvey Neville, Tyler Clegg (Kaveh Rad 46’), Keesean Ferdinand, Jaden Jones-Riley; Victor Enriquez Velazquez, Malcolm Johnston (Christian Mendoza 18’), Alexis Moreno (Max Eisenberg 74’); Kyle Linhares, Joshua Penn (Braxton Taghavi-Najib 85’), Mataeo Bunbury (Tega Ikoba 60’)
Substitutes not used: Keenan VanPelt, Maximo Nystrom
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 7
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 12
Saves: 4
Standings
