:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69726805/ND4_5997.0.jpg)
After a dominant homestand, Tacoma Defiance are back on the road for their next three matches. One of the goals head coach Wade Webber had for 2021 was to surpass the away-wins total of the previous few seasons. But to get to that two-road wins mark, they must first get No. 1.
Standing in the way of Defiance’s ambitions are San Diego Loyal. Defiance have gone 1-0-1 against Landon Donovan’s team thus far, but head coach Wade Webber doesn’t want to carry too much confidence from those matches forward.
“The challenge is in front of us. San Diego is three points ahead and we play them on Saturday,” Webber said after beating Oakland. “We don’t want to go down there afraid, we want to try to go down there and win the game. But we also have to be humble, [because] we haven’t done anything.”
Can the Baymen do something on Saturday night? Only they can answer.
Why You Should Watch
- Defend Everything: One of the core ethoses of Seattle Sounders is that every single player puts in effort on defense — no matter their position on the pitch. For Defiance to get a road win they must embody this ethos just as they did during the homestand.
- Be Humble: That undefeated run is nice and all, but San Diego are ahead of Tacoma in the standings, much more respected around the AmSocc world. That’s fine. Speak with your feet and play like the scrappy underdog the city of Tacoma always is.
- You’ll Like Tacoma: As the Sounders are on the road for three matches n a week the Tacoma 18 will likely be 17 or 18 Tacoma players. That means these talents who are so often thought of as the future must behave as if they are the now, at a lower level. No quest for promotion, just the will to defend their crest and each other.
How to Watch
Match date/kickoff time: Saturday, August 15, 7:30 PM PT
Venue: Torero Stadium | San Diego, California
Online Streaming: ESPN+
Defiance Absences: 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.
Loyal Absences: To be announced.