Following the team’s 5-3 win over Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps 2 on Sunday night at Starfire Stadium, Tacoma Defiance forward Yu Tsukanome was named MLS NEXT Pro's Player of the Matchweek for Matchweek 4.
Not only did he help Defiance climb out of a 2-goal deficit, he also recorded his first-ever MLS Next Pro hat-trick since signing with the club in 2023.
Undoubtedly a super-sub in the match, the 24-year-old came on to the pitch in the second half and scored three goals within a span of 14 minutes. He only needed seven minutes of playing time to secure his first of the night, leveling the score between the two teams. Two minutes later, he notched his second, giving the lead to Defiance off a one-time finish from point-blank range. Then, in the 88th minute, he extended the lead two with a redirected header into the back of the net off a cross from Jackson Khoury.
With his three contributions of the night, Tsukanome is now Defiance's leading scorer so far this season with 4 goals.
Tacoma Defiance returns to action on Thursday when they travel to Titan Stadium to take on LAFC 2 (7 p.m. PT; Watch on Apple TV).
