The Tacoma Defiance have had two rough matches after their opening win, conceding seven goals while scoring zero. The performances haven’t been quite as bad as the goal totals sound, and they have a chance to turn the results around tonight against expansion side — and new home to David Estrada — New Mexico United.
New Mexico have one win and three draws in their first four games, with their victory coming against the same Roughnecks side that beat Tacoma. It will be a challenge for the young Defiance defense to hold back a thus-far prolific New Mexico attack. They average 2 goals per game and their leading scorer, left-winger Santi Moar, is second in the league with 4 goals. It will be important to keep track of him when the Defiance are attacking because United will look to get him on the break.
This will be an interesting contrast in styles, with Tacoma averaging nearly 200 more passes per game than New Mexico. Tacoma will see a ton of the ball, with New Mexico happy to let them pass it around the middle third. The match will likely be decided by when and where Tacoma turn the ball over.
nos audietis in somniis | nos audietis in altum
you will hear us in your sleep | you will hear us from the deep
this is our Sound
Keys to the Game:
- Provide cover behind the right back
- Make and find forward runs
- Don’t concede dangerous set pieces
Lineups
Tacoma, your starting XI for #TACvsNM! Kickoff at 7PM. #DefiantlyTacoma pic.twitter.com/sEH2Wdnv6R
— Tacoma Defiance (@TACdefiance) March 30, 2019
You’re Michelob ULTRA starting XI!
— New Mexico United (@NewMexicoUTD) March 30, 2019
Subs: (12) Beaury, (6) Soler, (14) Wehan, (20) Goss, (23) Madden#TACvNM #NMUnited #SomosUnidos pic.twitter.com/P5YYBFMV1U
How to Watch
Match date/time: Friday, March 29, 2018, 7:00 PM PT
Venue: Cheney Stadium, Central Tacoma, Puyallup-White River Watershed, Cascadia
Streaming: ESPN+ (Talent: Andrew Harvey and Dave Clark)
How I'm watching
Outfit: A cardigan
Where: The Fortress, the unbeatable, the venerated: Cheney Stadium