USL San Diego Loyal

It's Back to Facing Pacific Division Rivals When SD Loyal Hosts Tacoma Defiance

August 13, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


The August homestand continues for SD Loyal with match number two at Torero Stadium at USD. The Week 17 affair is against Tacoma Defiance with the match to be broadcasted on Yurview California (Cox/Spectrum 4), ESPN+ and Azteca America 33 in Spanish.

WHAT:

SD Loyal is coming off a tough loss against Real Monarchs last week. It was the start of a four-match homestand and it didn't start the way coach Landon Donovan wanted. SD Loyal gave up a first minute goal to Real Monarchs Douglas Martinez. Donovan's team created chances and pressed to find the net but didn't get the equalizer. SD Loyal tries to get back on track with a match against Tacoma Defiance.

WHO:

- SD Loyal

- Tacoma Defiance

WHEN:

Saturday, Aug. 14

7:30 p.m. PT

WHERE:

Torero Stadium at USD

5998 Alcala Park

San Diego, CA 92110

MATCH PREVIEW:

The Pacific Division standings got more interesting after results this past weekend. SD Loyal's loss to Real Monarchs combined with a draw by leader Phoenix Rising, another win by Orange County and a victory by Tacoma Defiance has the top of the group a bit closer. Phoenix Rising leads with 36 points, Orange County is in second with 25 while SD Loyal has 24. And then Tacoma has 21 in fourth place.

It makes this match against Tacoma Defiance more important for SD Loyal as manager Landon Donovan looks for his team to find more goals. After all, his club has been able to control the pace of matches but can't always convert the opportunities it creates. Combined with some mistakes on defense, and SD Loyal has one win in its last four matches.

"We have to just keep working on being in front of the goal and hitting the target and scoring," Donovan said. "Someone has to take the initiative and make the play. We have guys do that throughout the season. We have to keep going and do things the right way, take the ball and make big plays and eventually the results will come."

SD Loyal played its last match without a handful of starters (Jack Metcalf, Elijah Martin, Collin Martin and Callum Montgomery) due to injury, which could have been part of the lack of scoring.

"It is difficult when key guys go out but every team goes through that, that is not an excuse," Donovan said. "We have guys who are good enough to play at this level and help us win games."

Tacoma defiance has been winning games. Or at least it has been raking in points in the standings, lately. It comes into this match unbeaten in its last six games, including a 2-1 win at home against SD Loyal on July 29. Tacoma Defiance is the only team in the Pacific Division that SD Loyal has not earned a point against this season. Tacoma Defiance also beat SD Loyal 3-1 on May 13, three games into the season. Tacoma has gone on this unbeaten run despite losing some of its players to short term contracts with Major League side Seattle Sounders. Its second win against SD Loyal this season came with a group of young players that took advantage of SD Loyal mistakes on defense and at the goalkeeper position.

"This weekend is a huge game against a team we've lost to twice, so we need to rebound emotionally and just get after it and go again," Donovan said.

Tacoma Defiance, who's latest win is a 3-1 victory against Oakland Roots last week. entered this season under new coach Wade Webber who replaced the departed Chris Little on the sideline. There is still some veteran experience which it has built around, most notably center back Taylor Mueller, the team captain.

Saturday's match is also the first to be on Yurview, SD Loyal's new broadcast partner. The streaming service will broadcast 10 of the club's remaining 15 regular season matches as well as on Cox/Spectrum Channel 4 in San Diego County only.

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Season Ticket Memberships are on sale now. Seats can be purchased by calling (858) 465-GOAL or at sdloyal.com/memberships. Single match tickets are on sale to the general public beginning at $25 and can be purchased at sdloyal.com/tickets.

Check out the San Diego Loyal Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 13, 2021


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