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USL San Diego Loyal

Another Road Loss for SD Loyal

May 14, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


A more fluid brand of soccer is not enough for SD Loyal in 3-1 loss at Tacoma Defiance

Tacoma, Wash. -The last time San Diego Loyal SC came here, the atmosphere was a bit strange on that March 2020 night. There were no fans in the stands after the governor of Washington announced a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the final time coach Landon Donovan's team would play until July.

It was also the place SD Loyal earned its first ever win. It was different Thursday night. There was a handful of fans in attendance with local health regulations a bit more relaxed. Those few got to see SD Loyal drop its third-straight game with a 3-1 loss against host Tacoma Defiance at Cheney Stadium.

Tacoma Defiance (1-0-1, 4 points) got a first half goal and a pair in the second. All three were essentially counter attacks despite SD Loyal (0-3-0) creating many scoring opportunities during the Week 3 match. Carlos Anguiano (44th minute), Alec Diaz (51st) and Danny Robles (90+) scored for the home side. It was Tacoma's first win of the season following a draw against LA Galaxy II while SD Loyal has started the season with three road matches, all losses.

But it was SD Loyal, who led in every statistical category expect scoring, appeared to have an advantage. It came out looking to attack, creating many chances in the first half and later in the match. Tacoma took advantage of SD Loyal's missed scoring opportunities and converted those into scores on counter attacks.

Anguiano scored after taking a low-rolling ball from near the top of the penalty box and fired it with his left foot. The blast caught SD Loyal goalkeeper Trey Muse without a chance at his line against his former team.

Anguiano's goal came during a time in the match in which SD Loyal was moving up lines and attacking. Donovan's team had a handful of chances before the Tacoma Defiance score. It was Ben Spencer who started the dangerous plays and eventually found the net in the 29th minute. But it didn't count. His goal was called off after he was whistled offsides. He had put back a shot inside the six-yard box after Tacoma goalkeeper Christian Herrera slid to make a block. Spencer also had a header come off the crossbar in the 34th minute.

The SD Loyal attack continued with midfielder Alejandro Guido also forcing Herrera to make a one-handed save. Herrera got a piece of Guido's blast, deflecting it off the left post. Then it was Jack Blake with another shot that was saved by Herrera. Spencer had another try with a header a minute before Tacoma took one of its few opportunities and converted with Anguiano's goal.

SD Loyal's attacking persistence eventually paid off.

Jack Metcalf tied the game with a 51st minute goal. He put back a shot by Charlie Adams. Herrera dove to make a standout save on Adams' volley but the ball was left rolling for a wide-open Metcalf who sent in his first goal with SD Loyal. Metcalf's goal came after SD Loyal came out attacking in the second half similarly to what it did in the first.

But the lead lasted not for long.

Tacoma took another counterattack that ended with Diaz sending in a cross by Alex Villanueva from left to right. Diaz charged the SD Loyal goal down the middle of the box wide open. All Diaz had to do was tap it in past Muse. Robles scored three minutes into stoppage time to seal the win for Tacoma.

SD Loyal will prepare for its next away match, a Week 4 affair at Louisville City FC Saturday May 22.

Tacoma Defiance 3, SD Loyal 1

SCORING

1-0 44' Carlos Anguiano (TAC)

1-1 51' -Jack Metcalf (SD)

2-1 73' -Alec Diaz (TAC)

3-1 90+ Danny Robles (TAC)

LINEUP:

SD Loyal -16. Trey Muse, 29. Thomas Vancaeyezeele, 23. Hunter Ashworth (46' -Jordan Chavez), 4. Jack Metcalf, 6. Charlie Adams, 17. Collin Martin, 7. Jack Blake, 8. Sal Zizzo (c) (80' - 3.Elijah Martin), 10. Alejandro Guido, 21. Corey Hertzog (71' -12. Niki Jackson), 9. Ben Spencer. Coach: Landon Donovan.

Tacoma Defiance - 39. Marlon Vargas (51' -32. Alec Diaz), 87. Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (65'- 81. Randy Mendoza), 38. Azriel Gonzalez, 88. Carlos Anguiano (46' -34. Daniel Robles), 73. Obed Vargas, 77. Sota Kitahara, 42. Alex Villanueva, 52. Erick Kinzner, 99. Tom Brewitt, 36. Issa Rayyan (79' -Cody Baker), 31. Christian Herrera. Coach: Wade Webber.

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