Tacoma Defiance today announced that it has loaned midfielder Azriel Gonzalez to FC Edmonton of the Canadian Premier League for the remainder of the 2021 season. The Las Vegas native joined the Sounders FC Academy in 2014 and has played for the club’s USL side since 2017.
“All of us on the developmental side of the club are excited for Azriel to have an opportunity to challenge himself and expand his range of experience in Edmonton,” said Defiance Head Coach Wade Webber. “He was one of the first young players signed from the Academy in 2017 directly to our USL team, and while his absence will be felt on and off the field, this is an important step for his career because he is moving away from what is comfortable and attacking the unknown. We are confident he can grow from this experience.”
Gonzalez, 20, has made 69 appearances for Tacoma, 38 of which were starts since becoming a professional in July of 2017, scoring 10 goals in the process. In 2019 alone, he started 13 of 18 appearances, logging 1,204 minutes and scoring four goals for Tacoma. In 2018 he was on the Sounders FC U-17 squad that won the Premier Division of the MLS Generation Adidas Cup. Gonzalez has eight USL Championship appearances in 2021 with one goal.
After finishing off an undefeated homestand, Tacoma Defiance (5-4-6, 21 points) sets its sights on Southern California, as the club hits the road to take on San Diego Loyal SC on Saturday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. PT (ESPN+).
