TUKWILA, WASH. – Tacoma Defiance (9-3-4, 34 points) defeated Minnesota United FC 2 (6-6-3, 24 points) 3-2 Sunday night at Starfire Stadium. Juan Alvarez, Travian Sousa and Marlon Vargas all scored as Defiance survived a late comeback for a narrow home victory.
After Tacoma goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley saved a Minnesota penalty in the seventh minute, it was Tacoma that got the first goal three minutes later when Sousa received a cross and combined with Alvarez, who finished into the top of the net from point-blank range.
Defiance doubled its lead early in the second half when Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez dribbled into the area before dropping a pass to Sousa, who finished right in front of goal. Vargas added his team-leading ninth strike of the season in the 62nd minute from the spot after Tacoma drew a foul inside the area. Minnesota made a late surge, pulling two late goals back courtesy of substitute Sagir Arce and Thomas Williamson in the 65th and 73rd minutes, respectively.
Following tonight’s match, Wade Webber’s side hits the road to take on Sporting Kansas City II at Mercy Victory Field on Friday, July 22 (5:00 p.m. PT / mlsnextpro.com).
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance 3 – Minnesota United FC 2 2
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Jaclyn Metz
Weather: 68 and mostly cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
TAC – Juan Alvarez (Travian Sousa) 10’
TAC – Travian Sousa (Alfonso Ocampo) 46’
TAC – Marlon Vargas (penalty) 62’
MIN – Sagir Arce (Thomas Williamson) 65’
MIN – Thomas Williamson 73’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TAC – Wallis Lapsley (caution) 7’
TAC – Reed Baker-Whiting (caution) 14’
MIN – Ignacio Gutierrez (caution) 33’
MIN – Nicholas Mendonca (caution) 72’
TAC – Alfred Gombe-Fei (caution) 83’
LINEUPS & STATS
Tacoma Defiance – Wallis Lapsley, Achille Robin, Stuart Hawkins (Randy Mendoza HT), Hal Udertiz, Cody Baker, Marlon Vargas – captain, Reed Baker-Whiting, Travian Sousa (Joe Hafferty, 80’), Georgi Minoungou, Juan Alvarez (Alfred Gombe-Fei, 74’), Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez
Substitutes not used: Wyatt Nelson, Snyder Brunell, Etienne Veillard, Jack Jeremiah
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 11
Offside: 4
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 5
Minnesota United FC 2 – Alec Smir, Carlos Leatherman, Nicholas Mendonca, Jason Ramos, Devin Padelford (Blay Perry 63’), David Garcia (Sagir Arce 63’), Ignacio Gutierrez, Molik Jesse Khan (Veljko Petkovic 63’), Emmanuel Iwe, Aziel Jackson, Thomas Williamson
Substitutes not used: Grayson Frum, Kniser
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 9
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 1
