Close but not quite: Defiance fall short in Open Cup loss to Timbers

TUKWILA, Wash. – The Tacoma Defiance gave the Portland Timbers everything they could handle and even took a lead late into the match, but ultimately committed two costly errors that cost them the match. The Timbers escaped Starfire with a 3-2 win in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 thanks largely to a very late penalty. They'll now face the winner of San Jose Earthquakes-Sacramento Republic.

Despite fielding a lineup of mostly MLS quality reserves – including a few players that were starters as recently as earlier this year – the Timbers struggled to control virtually any part of the match but were opportunistic with their chances. That first real chance came in the 33rd minute on a corner. Dario Zuparic sort of hip-checked Andrew Thomas, clearing the way for Zac McGraw to score essentially uncontested at the back post.

The Defiance came storming back in the second half, sparked by Yu Tsukanome replacing Antino Lopez in central midfield.

Tsukanome's inclusion paid almost immediate dividends as he played in Georgi Minoungou, who beat his man with a dribble on the wing, kept the ball in near the end line and then fired a cross that Osaze De Rosario got to first to equalize.

Just three minutes later, Minoungou put in another dangerous cross that found Tsukanome at the penalty spot. Tsukanome took his shot first-time and found the net.

The Defiance were flying at that point and looked far more likely to add a goal, but couldn't quite find the composure they needed. In the 77th minute, it looked like they may have found their moment. Tsukanome looped a ball to Travian Sousa on the left wing. Sousa controlled it well and drove into the box and was taken down, but the referee waved it off.

The Timbers capitalized when Ian Smith found some space on the left wing and sent in a cross that Gage Guerra headed into the net.

Still, the game seemed destined for overtime until the Timbers got a corner in the 2nd minutes of stoppage time. The Defiance cleared the danger but Minoungou tugged the jersey of an attacker and the referee pointed to the spot. Kevin Kelsy then converted.

Key moments

7 - Timbers take first shot of the game, a free kick that Andrew Thomas easily handles

9 - Minoungou nearly gets loose on wing but a loose touch lets him down.

11 - Sounders work a good combo in penalty area but it doesn’t quite come off.

14 - Chance! De Rosario wins possession and then fights off defender to push it to Gomez, he finds Baker-Whiting who plays in Brunell but he shoots high.

26 - Chance! Minoungou plays ball across but Kingston can’t quite get on end of it.

33 - Goal. McGraw scores at back post after Zuparich cleans out Thomas. Timbers, 1-0.

35 - Chance! Minoungou gets free on wing but just misses DeRosario in front of goal.

Halftime - Yu Tsukanome replaces Antino Lopez.

46 - Tsukanome gets free on the right but his cross to De Rosario is handled by Crepeau.

47 - GOAL!!! Tsukanome plays in Minoungou on the wing. Minoungou beats his man, then controls it near the endline before sending in a cross that is just outside of Crepeau’s reach that De Rosario basically backheels into the net. 1-1.

50 - GOAL!!! Minoungou again sends in a cross after beating his man, this time finding Tsukanome around the penalty spot. He finishes easily. The play is started when Stu Hawkins wins possession in Sounders end to stop a counter and get one going the other way. 2-1, Defiance.

52 - Shot. Minoungou gets loose on the counter but chooses to play in Tsukanome. He gets off a shot but is off balance and it’s easily saved.

60 - Timbers nearly get on the end of a breakaway but Thomas comes off his line to claim it.

66 - Shot! Yamada gets a clean look after Minoungou keeps a free kick in play but he shoots high.

68 - Timbers create some havoc on a corner kick but Defiance are able to clear it.

77 - Penalty shout. Tsukanome loops a ball to Travian Sousa who controls it well and drives into the box. Timbers defender pokes the ball but also kicks Sousa. No-call.

80 - Goal. Gage Guerra gets open at back post to head in Ian Smith's cross. 2-2.

82 - Save! Sousa puts in a cross to De Rosario, but Crepeau makes a diving save.

85 - Chance! Baker-Whiting plays in a beautiful cross to Hawkins, but his open header is right at Crepeau.

88 - Save. Thomas stops a shot from just outside area then beats Guerra to rebound.

90+2 - Penalty. Minoungou tugs the jersey of an attacker, who has his back turned to goal and the referee points to the spot.

90+4 - Goal. Kelsy converts from the spot.

90+5 - The Sounders get one last chance with a corner. Thomas comes flying in and causes a scramble in front of goal but it's cleared.

Quick thoughts

Tired legs: I don't think it's fair to second-guess Defiance head coach Hervé Diese too much. His job is primarily about developing players and I think he's shown that he's very effective. But I do think there's room for some second-guessing his management. By the time the Timbers found their equalizer, the energy seemed to fading from the Defiance. Given that several of these players were coming off a game on Friday and only two subs were used, I can't help but wonder if getting some fresh legs on the field wouldn't have been prudent.

Lots of positives: This was not close to the Timbers' first-choice lineup, but it was one stocked with MLS veterans who will likely get plenty of minutes this season. While the Defiance had a handful of MLS players, too, Andrew Thomas was the closest they had to a veteran. Given that, it's impressive how well the Defiance held their own. De Rosario and Tsukanome both continued their blazing hot starts, while Minoungou was an absolute terror on the right wing. Defensively, teenage centerbacks Hawkins and Yamada kept Kelsy largely in check all game. From a purely developmental standpoint, I think most talent evaluators will be pleased with the Defiance showing.

But they also showed some cracks: For all the positive play, the Defiance made some silly mistakes that ultimately cost them. On the equalizer, Smith was allowed far too much space to make the cross and Guerra was able to get between the two centerbacks for a clean look at a header. As much fun as the Defiance have been to watch, this game served as a fair reminder as to why they've yet to post a single shutout this season.

Notable quote

Player spotlight

Tsukanome - At 24 years old, Tsukanome is the oldest players on the Defiance roster. As such, it's tempting to write him off as a serious MLS prospect. But games like this are a reminder that there's something about his game that's impossible to ignore. As soon as he came on at halftime, the game changed dramatically and he was involved in basically every dangerous move the Defiance made. The best example may have been the looping ball he played to Sousa that set up what probably should have been a game-clinching penalty. It was a seeming blind-ball that somehow set up perfectly for Sousa. The thing is, Tsukanome is constantly making plays like that. He now has nine goals and two assists across all competitions. If he keeps this up, the Sounders will almost be forced to sign him.