The full Tacoma Defiance schedule is out

The Tacoma Defiance schedule for 2021 is out, and there’s plenty to be excited about. A home-heavy September with five games at Cheney Stadium highlights the 32-game schedule.

Following the announcement of the division alignment earlier this year and the reveal of a trip to face Austin Bold among the league’s home openers, the largest unanswered question was who the other three teams from outside of the division Tacoma would face. It turns out the Defiance will have a trip to face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on June 16, followed by playing host to Real Monarchs SLC on June 23 and David Estrada’s New Mexico United on Aug. 1.

The regionalized division format for the 2021 season will limit the travel required for teams as the USL strives to play a more complete regular season after last year’s limited competition. The benefit of fewer long-distance plane rides will likely be off-set by the congested schedule, though.

The teams will cram 32 regular season games into a 25-week schedule — only 21 of those 25 weeks feature games, creating further congestion — will be a real test for Tacoma, and the depth available will certainly factor significantly into how they fare. In practical terms, the team will play 15 of the 32 games on four days’ of rest or less. Over a third of Tacoma’s games are weeknight games, 11 to be exact.

For those looking forward to being able to take in games in-person from Cheney Stadium, pandemic willing, there are some interesting options. If you live in the Tacoma area, one of the eight midweek games at home could be a nice change of pace for your week during the Summer. September is particularly deserving of your attention as the team plays five home games, including one of only two Saturday night home games when Tacoma hosts Phoenix Rising FC on Sept. 25 at 7 PM.

While the absence of the Portland Timbers 2 means the schedule is a little light on rivalry, Sounders and Defiance fans will want to make particular note of the team’s four matches with San Diego Loyal. The two teams who met on the Day Sports Stopped play again at Cheney on May 13. Landon Donovan’s side travel to Tacoma again on July 29 before hosting Defiance on August 14 and September 19. While there may not be a rivalry there, Trey Muse being in San Diego on loan — and joined by Sounders Legend Miguel Ibarra — should provide a bit of intrigue.

All of Tacoma’s games will be available to stream on ESPN+.