The Tacoma Defiance won for the fifth time in six games, by a score line of 5-1 over Minnesota United 2. All five goals came from four different teenagers. Among the goalscorers was highly touted Sounders Academy player Omar Hassan, who got his first MLS Next Pro goal in the 90+5’. Chris Aquino had two goals, Snyder Brunell had one and Sebstian Gomez had one as well.
Since ending a stretch of five losses in six games, the Defiance have claimed 16 of 18 available points and scored 21 goals in those matches. That includes 17 goals in their last four games. The five goals marked a season-high for Defiance.
Highlights
Key performers
Chris Aquino – The midfielder continued his hot run of form that basically coincides with his graduation from high school. With two more goals, Aquino now has six for the season, with five of those coming in his last five appearances. Aquino opened the scoring by converting a penalty and then added a second goal right before halftime on a nice left-footed shot that came off the far post.
Snyder Brunell – The 17-year-old has been one of the Defiance’s most consistent players this year and had one of his best games to date, scoring a goal and assisting on another. His goal came on a first-touch finish off a nice cross from Georgi Minoungou and his assist came off a slick pass to Sebastian Gomez in tight space.
Omar Hassan – The 15-year-old Sounders Academy player has been on the rise, becoming a regular with the United States U15s and winning the MVP of the Vlatko Marković tournament earlier this year. Hassan only logged five minutes of playing time in his Defiance debut, but made the most of it when he sped behind the Minnesota defense and finished off a pass from Owen O’Malley for his first goal in MLS Next Pro, punctuating it with a back flip. He is likely the youngest player to ever score for Defiance and also the first Sounders Academy player to score in his professional debut.
Standings
Stats
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance 5 – Minnesota United FC 2 1
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Servando Berna
Assistants: Eric Krueger, James Ewer
Fourth official: Yannick Rothfuss
Weather: 76 and sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
TAC – Chris Aquino (penalty) 3’
TAC – Snyder Brunell (Georgi Minoungou) 36’
TAC – Chris Aquino (Snyder Brunell) 45+3’
MIN – Alissa Randell (William Schmidt) 69’
TAC – Sebastian Gomez (Burke Fahling) 78’
TAC – Omar Hassan (Owen O’Malley) 90+5’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
MIN – Dominic Mawing (ejection) 61’
MIN – Britton Fischer (caution) 78’
MIN – William Schmidt (caution) 90’
LINEUPS & STATS
Tacoma Defiance – Jacob Castro; Blake Bowen, Antino Lopez, Travian Sousa, Elias Katsaros; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Snyder Brunell – captain (Owen O’Malley 69’); Georgi Minoungou (Omar Hassan 85’), Chris Aquino (Burke Fahling 59’), Yu Tsukanome (Sebastian Gomez 46’); Osaze De Roasio (Gio Miglietti 70’)
Substitutes not used: Lars Helleren, Gallatin Sandes, Etienne Veillard, Kelvin Luis-Brito
Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 9
Fouls: 9
Offside: 5
Corner-kicks: 1
Saves: 5
Minnesota United FC 2 – Montali Francesca; Dominic Mawing, Hugo Bacharach Capdevila (Giovanni Cruz 61’), Finn McRobb; Britton Fischer, Rory O’Driscoll, Keith Romanshyn, Aidan Martinez (William Schmidt 46’), Justin Arias (John Anderson Farris 46’); Alisa Randell (Nathan Moua 70’), Enrique Nieves (Tamer Ibsais 86’)
Substitutes not used: Oscar Herrera, Rayme Nyembwe
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 15
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 4
