TACOMA, WASH. – Tacoma Defiance today announced that it has acquired forward Osaze De Rosario and defender Brian Aguilar. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. De Rosario signs following two seasons with York United FC of the Canadian Premier League, while Aguilar joins on loan from Club Lanús of Argentina with an option to buy.
“We are fortunate to be able to add a player like Osaze to the Defiance roster,” said Sounders FC Director of Development Wade Webber. “The game is ultimately about putting the ball in the net and he brings with him a varied attacking skill set and strong desire to get into positions to score. With the way Defiance sets out to create repeatable goal scoring situations, we are confident he can be the sort of player to convert those chances. With Brian, it’s always exciting to add a player who offers something we might not readily have and he fits that bill. Brian has the defensive instincts and characteristics necessary to compete at a very high level and we are thrilled he is joining us.”
De Rosario, 22, joins Tacoma after playing for York United FC since 2022, recording 19 goals and six assists in all competitions in 57 appearances (43 starts). He scored 12 goals and bagged four assists in league play in 2022, also recording a goal in the Canadian Championship against Pacific FC. De Rosario tallied an additional six goals and two assists in league play the following year, also making appearances for York United FC in both the Canadian Championship and Canadian Premier League playoffs. Prior to playing for York, the forward played in both Toronto FC’s and New York City FC’s academies, and had his first professional stint with Ukranian club Rukh Lviv before joining York United. He also has one international appearance for Guyana, scoring a goal in a 6-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda in Concacaf Nations League match on November 22, 2023. De Rosario is the son of seven-time MLS All-Star and 2011 MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario.
“We are excited sign Osaze and Brian to Tacoma Defiance,” said Tacoma Defiance Head Coach Hervé Diese. “Both are players that come from different backgrounds, showing that it’s not only important to acquire talented players, but players that come from all types of pathways who can help our team succeed in various ways.”
Aguilar, 20, has spent his entire professional career with Club Lanús of Argentina’s Primera División. The defender has made 13 appearances (four starts) in league play for the club since being moved to the senior team in 2022, prior to which he played for both Lanús’ U-20s and Lanús II. Aguilar also made one start for the Argentine club in its 2023 Copa Argentina campaign. On the international stage, Aguilar has made nine appearances (seven starts) for Argentina’s U-20 National Team, including two starts in the U-20 South American Championships in 2023. He scored a goal against in a friendly against the United States on March 26, 2022.
After defeating defending MLS NEXT Pro Cup champion Austin FC II on Friday, Hervé Diese’s side hosts Colorado Rapids 2 in its home opener on Sunday, March 24 at Starfire Stadium (7:00 p.m. PT / Apple TV).
TRANSACTION: Tacoma Defiance signs forward Osaze De Rosario and acquires defender Brian Aguilar on loan from Club Lanús for the 2024 season with an option to buy on March 19, 2024.
Full Name: Osaze De Rosario
Pronunciation: Oh-SAW-zay Dee-rose-ARE-e-o
Position: Forward
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Hometown: San Jose, California
Date of Birth: July 19, 2001 in San Jose, California
Nationality: Guyana/USA
Acquired: Signed to Tacoma Defiance on March 19, 2024
Full Name: Brian Aguilar
Pronunciation: A-gee-lar
Position: Defender
Height: 5-7
Weight: 167
Hometown: Avellaneda, Argentina
Date of Birth: April 13, 2003 in Avellaneda, Argentina
Nationality: Argentina
Acquired: Loaned to Tacoma Defiance from Club Lanús until the end of the 2024 season with an option to buy on March 19, 2024
