Just three days after a 3-0 loss, the Tacoma Defiance can get back to their improved form on the road against Reno 1868. Luckily for the Defiance the Seattle Sounders don’t play again until the international break is over, so some of the players who were up with the Sounders on the weekend should be back. Both Shandon Hopeau and Nick Hinds should be available in some capacity: Hinds will likely be in the starting lineup and Hopeau could come off the bench. It’s not clear who will start at forward—Dhillon started for the First team over the weekend and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (US U17’s) and Alec Diaz (Puerto Rico) are likely still away on national team duty—but probably an Academy forward, perhaps Austin Brummet who started the last match.
The Defiance are up against one of the league’s top offensive teams in Reno, who are 2nd in the USL Championships in goals scored with 56. They have 8 players with at least 4 goals on the season, so they will not be easily stopped. The Defiance will need to focus on keeping Corey Hertzog (13) and Brian Brown (8) out of the net, but they could be punished by the six other talented scorers on the field if they focus to much on those two. The only respite the Defiance will have is on set pieces. They are usually extremely vulnerable in the air, especially on corner kicks, but Reno aren’t much better, so the Defiance shouldn’t be as worried if they have to put a ball over the endline under pressure.
While the Defiance will be nervous walking into Greater Nevada Field—they once lost 6-0 there—if they stay compact and focus on hitting Reno on the counter they can get a result.
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:
- Deny Herzog the ball in the box
- Hit on the counter with quick passing
- The back six must communicate and stay in contact
Lineups
Your starting XI for tonight's match against @Reno1868FC!
— Tacoma Defiance (@TACdefiance) September 11, 2019
Tune in to ESPN+ to catch the all the action.
: https://t.co/cfYi0icprZ#DefiantlyTacoma | #RNOvTAC pic.twitter.com/2rButqG3e8
We've got your starting XI (including a birthday boy in goal)!#VamosAzules | #RNOvTAC
— Reno 1868 FC (@Reno1868FC) September 11, 2019
LINEUP NOTES: https://t.co/rOdvnza69o pic.twitter.com/2wMTNkHSyg
How to Watch
Match date/time: Tuesday, September, 2019, 7:00 PM PT
Venue: Greater Nevada Field, Reno, Lower Truckee River Watershed, Great Basin, North America.
Streaming: ESPN+
How I'm watching
Outfit: 2018 Sounders Parley jersey
Where: At the end of the Green River Highway