Only two teams have locked in their Pacific Division playoff status. Phoenix Rising are competing for the best record in the whole league. San Diego Loyal are nearing the point where they’ve locked in a home game.

Tacoma Defiance, once a bright star at second in the division, is staring up at the red line knowing that the only way they get in the playoffs is with help. Orange County would need to go winless for Tacoma to catch them. Galaxy II would need to falter for Defiance to pass them.

This is scoreboard season.

For Wade Webber’s side to have a chance they must hope for other results to go their way, and they absolutely must execute tonight against Oakland Roots. Failures to earn a win when dominating Sacramento over the weekend or the Lights last week put Defiance in this situation. Only a return to the form displayed in matches against Orange County, San Diego, and LA can save Tacoma now.

Why You Should Watch

• No Tactics. No Prospects. Only Victory: There comes a point in a season when the only thing that matters is winning. Tacoma Defiance have reached that point. A win tonight makes their final two matches matter. A cold Wednesday evening determines just how defiant these men are. The wet grass of Cheney Stadium can be the inspiration for a second season and another contract, or not.

How to Watch

Match date/kickoff time: Wednesday, October 20, 7:00 PM PT

Venue: Cheney Stadium | Tacoma, Washington

Online Streaming: ESPN+

Defiance Absences: Randy Mendoza is out with a broken jaw. Carlos Anguiano is out with a head injury. Sota Kitahara is on loan to FC Pinzgau Saalfelden in Austria until the end of 2021. Azriel Gonzalez is on loan to FC Edmonton through the 2021 CPL season.

Roots: to be announced