Tacoma Defiance is now on a four game losing streak after falling 2-1 to Western Conference leaders St Louis City 2.
Defiance started shakily when St. Louis was to draw a penalty after a nice dribble into the box and a foul called on Mark O’Neill. There didn’t seem to be much contact, but Max Anchor made the decision irrelevant with a nice save down to his left side.
The rest of the first half was fairly even, with both teams having dominant periods. Defiance’s best sequence came in the 25th minute when Gallatin Sandnes found Mitchell Emert on the left touchline. Emert started a back and through sequence, dropping the ball to Edson Carli who played Sebastian Gomez up the left channel. Emert immediately made an underlapping run after his initial ball, received a square pass from Gomez and put a shot on target that was ultimately saved. Not only was it the best sequence of the half but it was entirely put together from academy talents.
Defiance did concede 10 minutes later on a recycled corner that found a free runner at the top of the six.
The second half started much stronger for the home side, keeping the ball and creating some dangerous chances. Eventually this led to a Tacoma goal in the 57th minute where Leo Flores Gonzalez picked up a flicked ball and played Charlie Gaffney behind the defense. He was able to cross to Yu Tsukanome who scored his second goal of the season.
However, Defiance continued a worrying trend of giving up late goals when Mark O’Neill was again called for a penalty after leaving his hand extended on a tackle in the box. This was a clear cut call and the subsequent spot kick was scored.
Overview
Lineup
Substitutes
- 57’ Xavi Gnaulati ⇆ Edson Carli
- 82‘ Rafael Jauregui ⇆ Charlie Gaffney
- 91’ Mark Bronnik ⇆ Demian Alvarez
Goals
- 35’ St Louis City 2 - ⚽Riley Lynch (Andrew de Gannes)
- 57’ Tacoma Defiance - ⚽Yu Tsukanome (Charlie Gaffney)
- 82’ St Louis City 2 - ⚽Jemone Barclay
Stats
Key performers
Max Anchor
Anchor continues to put in excellent performances amidst this poor run of results. He was able to prove the ball don’t lie by saving the first penalty he faced on the night. In addition he had a great save on a 48th minute give and go from St Louis. Ever since the blowout on the road to Houston, Anchor has been a massive part of keeping the team in every game they have played.
Yu Tsukanome
Lining up as one of two pocket attackers in a 3-4-3, Tsukanome had his best outing of the year. He got on the score sheet and almost made it two after a 75th minute shot that the keeper just got a hand on to deflect off the post. It was also clear he was putting in a ton of effort off the ball, getting involved in 13 duels. While he only won five of them, it showed his willingness to do the dirty work.
Mitchell Emert
The academy left back got his first start of the season and went the full 90, which must have been a welcome development after he was denied a long run out in the previous game for a clerical mistake. Emert made a strong impression, primarily showing defensive solidity where he had three interceptions, three clearances, one blocked shot and he won four of 10 duels. He particularly showed strong 1v1 defending where he stood up to a St Louis attacker in the 7th, 17th, and 42nd minute. He also was good going forward, having a shot saved in the 25th minute and putting a cross in to Tsukanome in the 75th minute that was almost converted for the second of the match.
