TUKWILA, WASH. – Tacoma Defiance (13-4-4, 46 points) defeated Sporting Kansas City II (8-11-2, 26 points) by a score of 1-0 on Saturday night. Substitute Hal Uderitz was the difference maker, bagging the lone goal of the match in the 78th minute.
After winning a free kick in the attacking third, Juan Alvarez played a looping ball into the box that found the head of Udertiz, who smashed home the game-winning goal to give Tacoma all three points.
The victory puts Tacoma on the cusp of the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. If Earthquakes II does not defeat St. Louis City SC 2 in regulation tomorrow evening, Defiance clinches the Pacific Division, punching its ticket to the postseason.
Following tonight’s victory, Defiance faces its last two road matches of the regular season, starting with a matchup against Real Monarchs at Zions Bank Stadium on Friday, August 26 (6:00 p.m. PT / mlsnextpro.com).
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance 1 – Sporting Kansas City II 0
Saturday, August 20, 2022
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Kelsey Harms
Weather: 79 degree and mostly sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
TAC – Hal Uderitz (Juan Alvarez) 78’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TAC – Ethan Dobbelaere (caution) 16’
TAC – Georgi Minoungou (caution) 21’
SKC – Jake Davis (caution) 58’
TAC – Travian Sousa (caution) 88’
LINEUPS & STATS
Tacoma Defiance – Wallis Lapsley; Ethan Dobbelaere (Hal Uderitz, 68’), Jackson Ragen (Achille Robin, HT), Abdoulaye Cissoko, Randy Mendoza – captain; Cody Baker, Josh Atencio (Travian Sousa, HT); Georgi Minoungou (Juan Alvarez, 74’), Marlon Vargas, Dylan Teves (Valentin Sabella, 80’); Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez
Substitutes not used: Levi Bieber, Joe Hafferty, Reed Baker-Whiting, Alfred Gombe-Fei
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 14
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 8
Saves: 1
Sporting Kansas City II – Ethan Bandre; Esai Easley, Kaveh Rad, Jahon Rad, Nathnael Clarke (Michael Lenis 86’); Collin Fernandez – captain (Edgas Bazan, 86’), Curtez Kellman, Jacob Davis; Josh Coan, Guy Michaeli (Julian Vazquez, 61’), Rauf Salifu (Josip Hmura, 61’)
Substitutes not used: Carlito Saylon, Matthew Fisher, Coby Jones, Spencer Glass, Ryan Reid
Total shots: 2
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 8
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 2
Saves: 4
