Tacoma Defiance plays to thrilling 3-3 draw with Sacramento in return to USL action

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – Playing in its first competitive action in over four months, Tacoma Defiance (0-2-1, 1 point) came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw at Sacramento Republic FC (0-0-1, 1 point) on Monday evening at Papa Murphy’s Park. Ray Serrano scored a late equalizer, while Alec Diaz and Jesse Daley added goals in Tacoma’s first match since USL suspended play due to COVID-19. Tacoma returns home on Saturday, July 18 for a closed-door match vs. Portland Timbers 2 at Cheney Stadium (5:00 p.m. PT / ESPN+).

After Diaz put Defiance up 1-0 in the opening minute, the hosts responded with three goals before halftime, including a brace from Dariusz Formella. Daley cut the lead to 3-2 in the 57^th minute before Serrano, who came on as a 72^nd-minute substitute, found the equalizer in the 81^st minute. Monday marked the first result of the season for Tacoma, who lost in its two matches played prior to the shutdown.

MATCH SUMMARY

Tacoma Defiance 3 – Sacramento Republic 3
Monday, July 13, 2020

Venue: Papa Murphy’s Park
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
Assistants: Justin Filmore, Sarah Cortez
Fourth Official: Jamie Padilla
Weather: Clear and 70 degrees

SCORING SUMMARY

TAC – Alex Diaz (Danny Reynolds) 1’
SAC – Dariusz Formella (penalty) 8’
SAC – Tomas Hilliard-Arce (Rodrigo Lopez Alvarez) 23’
SAC – Dariusz Formella (Jordan McCrary) 37’
TAC – Jesse Daley 57’
TAC – Ray Serrano (Daniel Robles) 81’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SAC – Jaime Vilarreal (caution) 84’
SAC – Drew Skundrich (caution) 90+1’

LINEUPS & STATS

Tacoma Defiance – Christian Herrera, Danny Reynolds (Nick Hinds 85’), Taylor Mueller, Sam Rogers, Antonee Burke-Gilroy, Sota Kithara, Jesse Daley Reed Baker-Whiting 72’), Danny Robles (Abdoulaye Cissoko 85’), Marlon Vargas (Chino Perez 64’), Azriel Gonzalez (Ray Serrano 72’), Alec Diaz

Substitutes not used: Conrad Lee

Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 3
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 5

Sacramento Republic FC – Adam Grinwis; Matthew Mahoney, Tomas Hilliard -Arce, Hayden Sargis; Jordan McCrary (Dekel Keinan 85’), Drew Skundrich, Rodrigo Lopez Alvarez (Jaime Vilarreal 63’), Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu (Vilyan Bijev 63’), Ashkanov Apollon; Dariusz Formella (Sam Werner 85’), Cameron Iwasa (Kharlton Belmar 73’)

Substitutes not used: Rafael Diaz, Mario Penagos

Total shots: 20
Shots on goal: 8
Fouls: 11
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 10
Saves: 3