The period of roster chaos that plagues the Tacoma Defiance and Seattle Sounders at the beginning of summer each year looks to be just about wrapped up for both teams. With the full complement of international team players returned to the Sounders, the Defiance should get their share of the First Team players back. One who will probably not be coming back though is Justin Dhillon—who has fared well in his first weeks with the First Team—because Will Bruin will not be returning to the Sounders anytime soon.
It will be up to at least one of Alec Diaz and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez to replace the goalscoring that Dhillon will keep with him in Seattle against Real Monarchs SLC. Luckily for the young strikers and the Defiance in general, the Tacoma side’s defense has improved measurably in recent weeks due to the come up of Aleks Berkolds, improved defense from Nick Hinds and the return of Denso Ulysse to the starting right back spot. Unlike in the past, just one goal may be enough to earn the Defiance a result.
That’s not to say it will be easy for the Defiance from keeping the Monarchs from hitting the back of the net multiple times. They are in the top third of the USL Championship in goals scored and get them from all over the pitch. A couple of their midfielders, Cuban Maikel Chang and Scot Jack Blake, are particularly dangerous. The Defiance back six will need to communicate well to keep track of them in and around the box. If they can do that, the Defiance’s form says they may be able to squeak out their first road win of the season.
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
- Track midfield runners
- Give the forwards balls they can be successful with
- Don’t give up on the press
Lineup
Here is your Starting XI for tonight's match at @RealMonarchs! #DefiantlyTacoma pic.twitter.com/TexzRHVJhv
— Tacoma Defiance (@TACdefiance) July 13, 2019
Here it is! Tonight's Starting XI against @TACdefiance!#SLCvTAC #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/Mdc1uzxCPN
— Real Monarchs (@RealMonarchs) July 13, 2019
How to Watch
Match date/time: 7 PM PT, Friday, July 12, 2019
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium I Herriman, Utah
Streaming: ESPN+ (This link will work if you have a cable subscription with ESPN even if you don’t have ESPN+ because the match is on ESPN3 as well tonight).
How I'm watching
Outfit: An outfit made for three points.
Where: South of Seattle, south of Renton, south of Kent.