When the Tacoma Defiance and Portland Timbers 2 step on the pitch at Merlo Field tonight they will both have something on the line. If T2 win they will crawl their way above the red line. If the Defiance win they will be in a tie for 17th in the USL Championship Western Conference, which would be the first time since the first month of the season that the Defiance aren’t in 18th—and as a bonus they would be the reason T2 continues to sit outside the playoff positions.

This match will also be the best chance the Defiance have at getting a win on the road this season. The Defiance have not yet gone a full season without a road win—they got their first road win of the 2018 season in their final road game. At Portland, the Defiance have a record of 4-2-0; they don’t even have more than four wins against any other team, home or away. Getting a road win is ultimately inconsequential for the future of the Defiance or Sounders, but it would be good for the young players to experience it.

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

• Don’t focus too much on Langsdorf
• Press together
• Fullbacks need to concentrate on defense

Lineup

How to Watch

Match date/time: Friday, September 20, 2019 — 7:30 PM PT

Venue: Merlo Field, University Park, Willamette and Columbia Slough Watersheds, Cascadia, North America

Streaming: ESPN+

How I'm watching

Outfit: My clear-cutting outfit

Where: South of Seattle, south of Renton, south of Kent, north of Algona