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.
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. 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 one touch. The victory was the first in franchise history for San Diego.
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.
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.
MEDIA RESOURCES
PHOTOS – IMAGES FOR MEDIA USE: https://sndrs.com/jev3r
VIDEO – HEAD COACH CHRIS LITTLE POST-MATCH MEDIA SCRUM: https://sndrs.com/7jbmt
VIDEO – FORWARD JUSTIN DHILLON POST-MATCH MEDIA SCRUM: https://sndrs.com/a2ajm
AUDIO – DOWNLOADABLE POST-MATCH SOUNDBYTES: http://sndrs.com/audio
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
