Defiance advance in MLS Next Pro playoffs
Coming off their worst loss of the season in the regular-season finale, the Tacoma Defiance turned in arguably their most complete performance while beating Ventura County FC 4-0 on Sunday to advance to the Western Conference semifinals for the third straight year. Gio Miglietti scored a brace; Sebastian Gomez had a goal and an assist; Snyder Brunell had a goal; and Kalani Kossa-Rienzi had two assists. Jacob Castro also made a season-high seven saves to register his fourth shutout of the season.
All four higher seeds won their first round matches in the Western Conference, meaning the Defiance will have to wait to see who picks them as their opponent in the semifinals, which will take place next weekend. The draw for the semifinals will take place on Tuesday at noon.
Highlights
Key Performers
Gio Miglietti: Injuries have limited the forward’s playing time, but he’s been making the most of his opportunities. This was his second brace in three games and he now has five goals in his past five appearances, giving him seven on the season in about 730 minutes. Miglietti was also very good on aerial duels, winning 4/5. At 25 years old it’s hard to project him as a MLS prospect, but he now has 14 goals in less than 1,600 career minutes in MLS Next Pro.
Sebastian Gomez: Still just 18, Gomez has been a bit of an under-the-radar prospect but he continues to put in impressive performances. His goal was well taken and he also had a slick pass to set up Miglietti’s first goal. Gomez now has five goals and two assists in less than 1,000 minutes this season. He’s definitely a player that warrants watching.
Snyder Brunell: The goal he scored took a friendly deflection, but don’t let that take away from another very impressive outing for the 18-year-old who bossed the midfield. He was 33/38 passing, was 4/4 on tackles, was credited with 11 defensive actions and won six duels. He was probably the game’s best player.
Stats
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance 4 – Ventura County FC 0
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Alexandra Billeter
Assistants: Darren Bandy, Matthew Schwartz
Fourth official: Laura Rodriguez
Weather: 58 degrees and cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
TAC – Snyder Brunell 7’
TAC – Sebastian Gomez (Kalani Kossa-Rienzi) 24’
TAC – Gio Miglietti (Sebastian Gomez) 39’
TAC – Gio Miglietti (Kalani Kossa-Rienzi) 62’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TAC – Snyder Brunell (caution) 45+2’
VCFC – Ilijah Paul Gindiri (caution) 45+4’
TAC – Travian Sousa (caution) 68’
TAC – Harbor Miller (caution) 71’
LINEUPS & STATS
Tacoma Defiance – Jacob Castro; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Antino Lopez – captain, Stuart Hawkins, Elias Katsaros (Travian Sousa 61’); Synder Brunell, Sota Kitahara (Yu Tsukanome 68’); Dylan Teves (Braudilio Rodrigues 61’), Chris Aquino (Blake Bowen 61’), Sebastian Gomez (Burke Fahling 78’); Gio Miglietti
Substitutes not used: Lars Helleren, Owen O’Malley, Osaze De Rosario
Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 11
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 7
Ventura County FC – Owen Pratt; Harbor Miller, Jose Luis Magana, Jr., Ascel Essengue, Riley Dalgado (David Díaz 65’); Tucker Lepley, Gabriel Arnold; Sean Karani, Ruben Ramos, Jr., Hope Avayevu (Erik Hernandez 79’); Ilijah Paul Gindiri
Substitutes not used: Nolan Anderson, Nicolas Schelotto, Javier Corona Garcia, Victor Casillas Martin, Enrique Martinez, Dylan Vanney
Total shots: 19
Shots on goal: 8
Fouls: 9
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 8
Saves: 2