Tacoma Defiance Hangs Tough with Top Team in League But Falls in Final Minutes

August 28, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tacoma Defiance News Release

TACOMA, WASH. - Tacoma Defiance (4-15-5, 17 points) on Tuesday had a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute on the top team in the USL Championship, but fell in the final minutes to Phoenix Rising FC at Cheney Stadium. The victory was the 16th in a row for Phoenix and its seventh consecutive win on the road, both league records. Rising FC scored three goals from the 81st minute to the 84th minute to record a 4-2 victory over Tacoma.

Shandon Hopeau has now scored in two of his last three contests (Charis Wilson / Sounders FC).

Phoenix struck early on a goal from Adam Jahn two minutes into the match, but Shandon Hopeau answered just before halftime to even the game at 1-1 heading into the break. Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez earned a penalty kick for the home side after he was taken down in the area, and Hopeau calmly converted for his fourth marker of the season. The midfielder has now scored in two of his last three contests.

Tacoma took a 2-1 lead on the top team in the league when Justin Dhillon found Handwalla Bwana in the 72nd minute. Antonee Burke-Gilroy sent a ball over the top to Dhillon, who took two touches before setting up fellow First Team member Bwana for the finish.

Jahn recorded a brace for Phoenix, including the game-winner in the 83rd minute, while Solomon Asante recorded a goal and an assist for the visitors.

Five players under the age of 20 saw action for Tacoma tonight, including two First Team players in Ocampo-Chavez and Danny Leyva.

Tacoma Defiance next hosts San Antonio FC on Friday, August 30 (7:00 p.m. PT / ESPN+). The club then travels to take on Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, September 7 (7:30 p.m. PT / ESPN+).

MATCH SUMMARY

Tacoma Defiance I 2-4 I Phoenix Rising FC

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Venue: Cheney Stadium I Tacoma, Washington

Referee: Alejandro Mariscal

Assistants: Christian Clerc, Baboucarr Jallow

Fourth Official: Liam Leonard

Attendance: 2,710

SCORING SUMMARY

PHX - Adam Jahn (Solomon Asante) 2'

TAC - Shandon Hopeau (penalty) 26'

TAC - Handwalla Bwana (Justin Dhillon) 72'

PHX - Solomon Asante (Jon Bakero) 81'

PHX - Adam Jahn 83'

PHX - Junior Flemmings (Jose Aguinaga) 84'

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

PHX - James Musa (caution) 1'

PHX - Kevon Lambert (caution) 67'

LINEUPS & STATS

TAC - Bryan Meredith; Antonee Burke-Gilroy, Aleks Berkolds, Jonathan Campbell, Nick Hinds; Danny Leyva, Josh Atencio; Shandon Hopeau, Danny Robles (Ethan Dobbelaere 70'), Handwalla Bwana (Jesse Daley 85'); Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (Justin Dhillon 70')

Substitutes not used: Trey Muse, Denso Ulysse, Marlon Vargas, Ever Rubio

Total shots: 10

Shots on goal: 4

Fouls: 8

Offside: 3

Corner-kicks: 2

Saves: 4

PHX - Zac Lubin; Mustapha Dumbuya, Joseph Farrell, A.J. Cochran, Amadou Dia; Peter-Lee Vassell (Jon Bakero 73'), James Musa (Kevon Lambert 57'), Jose Aguinaga; Solomon Asante, Joey Calistri (Junior Flemmings 57'); Adam Jahn

Substitutes not used: Carl Woszczynski, Kyle Bjornethun, Corey Whelan, Ben Spencer

Total shots: 17

Shots on goal: 8

Fouls: 13

Offside: 1

Corner-kicks: 9

Saves: 2

Shandon Hopeau of Tacoma Defiance has now scored in two of his last three contests (Charis Wilson / Sounders FC)

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