
Tacoma Defiance Drops 2-1 Decision to San Diego Loyal SC
March 12, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tacoma Defiance News Release

Justin Dhillon scored the lone goal for Tacoma Defiance against San Diego Loyal SC
(Tacoma Defiance, Credit: Charis Wilson / Sounders FC)
TACOMA, WASH. - Tacoma Defiance (0-2-0, 0 points) on Wednesday at Cheney Stadium fell to expansion club San Diego Loyal SC (1-0-1, 4 points) by a 2-1 score. Justin Dhillon scored his first goal of the season for Defiance, while Francis Atuahene recorded a brace for San Diego. Tonight's match was closed to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the area.
Justin Dhillon scored the lone goal for Tacoma (Charis Wilson / Sounders FC).
San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute on a goal from Francis Atuahene. Collin Martin sent a free kick to the far post that landed at the foot of Atuahene who finished with one touch past Tacoma goalkeeper Trey Muse.
Dhillon's first goal of the season came off a feed from Shandon Hopeau in the 56th minute. Taylor Mueller sent a ball down the right sideline to Hopeau, who took two touches and played a pass to the center of the area for a streaking Dhillon. The First Team forward took one touch with his right foot and slotted the ball past San Diego keeper Jon Kempin to even the score at 1-1.
Atuahene's second goal of the evening came in the 85th minute. Jack Metcalf was streaking down the right sideline before sending a pass into the area that Atuahene finished with his right foot. The victory was the first in franchise history for San Diego.
After learning of Governor Inslee's announcement earlier today, tonight's USL Championship match was played behind closed doors at Cheney Stadium. With San Diego Loyal's squad already in town to play the contest, Tacoma Defiance was in touch with the United Soccer League, regional government agencies and health authorities about the best path forward. Because Cheney Stadium was closed to the public, it was deemed safe to proceed with Tacoma Defiance's second match of the season. Tacoma's third match of the season, originally planned for March 22 vs. OKC Energy FC at Cheney Stadium, is set to be rescheduled due to the on-going health risks.
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance I 1-2 I San Diego Loyal SC
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Venue: Cheney Stadium I Tacoma, Washington
Referee: Luis Guardia
Assistants: Cameron Siler, Corbyn May
Fourth Official: Adorae Whitesel
SCORING SUMMARY
SDL - Francis Atuahene (Collin Martin) 31'
TAC - Justin Dhillon (Shandon Hopeau) 56'
SDL - Francis Atuahene (Jack Metcalf) 85'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TAC - Taylor Mueller (caution) 38'
SDL - Grant Stoneman (caution) 57'
SDL - Francis Atuahene (caution) 89'
SDL - Jon Kempin (caution) 90'+2'
LINEUPS & STATS
TAC - Trey Muse; Alex Roldan (Antonee Burke 36'), Abdoulaye Cissoko, Taylor Mueller, Danny Reynolds; Danny Leyva, Josh Atencio - captain; Shandon Hopeau, Danny Robles (Chino Perez 68'), Azriel Gonzalez (Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez 84'); Justin Dhillon
Substitutes not used: Jamie Lowell, Jesse Daley, Chris Hegardt, Marlon Vargas
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 10
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 6
SDL - Jon Kempin; Grant Stoneman, Emrah Klimenta, Elijah Martin (Charlie Adams 77'); Yair Jaen (Qudus Lawal 65'), Eric Avila, Collin Martin, Beverly Makangila, Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (Jack Metcalf 60'); Francis Atuahene, Tumi Moshobane
Substitutes not used: Jake Fenlason, Morgan Hackworth, Sal Zizzo, Ashley Nazira
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 8
Fouls: 13
Offside: 7
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 1
Images from this story
![]() Justin Dhillon scored the lone goal for Tacoma Defiance against San Diego Loyal SC (Charis Wilson / Sounders FC) |
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 12, 2020
- Statement from San Antonio FC Managing Director Tim Holt - San Antonio FC
- Orange County SC Statement on USL Championship Temporary Suspension of Play - Orange County SC
- Updates to the 2020 FC Tulsa Season - FC Tulsa
- SD Loyal Postpones All Match Play for a Minimum of 30 Days Following USL Championship Decision to Suspend the 2020 Season - San Diego Loyal
- USL Suspends 2020 Season - Saint Louis FC
- United Soccer League Temporarily Suspends 2020 Season, Including New Mexico United Matches - New Mexico United
- Eastern Conference Preview: Part Three - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- USL Championship Temporarily Suspends Play - Indy Eleven
- USL Championship Temporarily Suspends Play - Memphis 901 FC
- El Paso Locomotive FC Issues Update - El Paso Locomotive FC
- USL Games Postponed for 30 Days - Loudoun United FC
- North Carolina FC Issues Statement on USL Decision to Temporarily Suspend Season - North Carolina FC
- Statement from the Rio Grande Valley FC - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- USL Championship Temporarily Suspends Play - Birmingham Legion FC
- Riverhounds SC Season Suspended for Minimum of 30 Days - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Club Statement Issued Regarding USL Championship Announcement - Phoenix Rising FC
- Upcoming Republic FC Matches Postponed - Sacramento Republic FC
- Usl Suspends Match Play for Minimum of 30 Days - OKC Energy FC
- USL Suspends Play 30 Days - Louisville City FC
- USL Announces Minimum 30-Day Suspension of Competition - Reno 1868 FC
- Miami FC's Home Opener Scheduled for Friday Is Suspended - Miami FC
- USL Championship Temporarily Suspends Play - USL
- Hartford Athletic Signs Conor McGlynn - Hartford Athletic
- Tickets Sales for Louisville City's April 7 Open Cup Match Suspended - Louisville City FC
- United Soccer League Teams Prioritize Recovery with NormaTec - USL
- Hartford Athletic Signs Connecticut Native Alfonso Vazquez - Hartford Athletic
- Sanchez: Response Has Been Extremely Positive - Louisville City FC
- Tacoma Defiance Drops 2-1 Decision to San Diego Loyal SC - Tacoma Defiance
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Tacoma Defiance Stories
- Tacoma Defiance Loans Ryan Baer to the Richmond Kickers
- Tacoma Defiance Draws, 1-1, with Minnesota United FC 2, Wins Ensuing Shootout
- Tacoma Defiance Hosts Minnesota United FC 2 Tonight at Starfire Stadium
- Tacoma Defiance Falls 3-2 to North Texas SC on Sunday Night at Starfire Stadium
- Tacoma Defiance Hosts North Texas SC on Sunday Night at Starfire Stadium

