Late Bradenton Rally Falls Just Short Against Mussels 'Pen

June 19, 2022 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Tacoma Defiance News Release

TUKWILA, WASH. - Tacoma Defiance (7-2-4, 28 points) defeated Colorado Rapids 2 (2-7-2, 9 points) 4-1 Saturday evening at Starfire Stadium, extending its unbeaten streak to nine games (6-0-3). Marlon Vargas scored a brace, with Danny Leyva and Eric Kinzner each adding a strike to give Tacoma all three points.

Vargas scored in the opening moments of the match off an impressive team goal. Georgi Minoungou dribbled up the right flank, passed it off to Juan Alvarez, who passed it back to Minoungou, who laid it off for Vargas at the top of the area. Vargas fired the ensuing shot, which deflected off the goalkeeper's hands before finding the back of the net. It was Vargas' sixth consecutive game with a goal. Vargas bagged his brace in the 28th minute, controlling a looping ball from Minoungou on the left side of the area and smashing a ball into the goal for Tacoma's second of the night. Leyva scored two minutes later after Minoungou crossed a ball across the area to the feet of Cody Baker, who laid off a pass for Leyva, who finished the attack into the roof of the net.

Rapids 2 pulled one back in the early part of the second half, firing a long range shot past the outstretched arms of Tacoma goalkeeper Andrew Thomas. Defiance got its fourth goal of the game after Vargas showed a bit of skill to keep the ball in on the touchline, then lofted a cross that found the head of Eric Kinzner to secure all three points for the home side.

Following the result tonight, Wade Webber's side heads to Texas to take on Houston Dynamo 2 on Sunday, June 26 (5:00p.m. PT / mlsnextpro.com).

Marlon Vargas of Tacoma Defiance reacts after a over goal against Colorado Rapids 2

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