Per Tacoma Defiance media relations
Tacoma Defiance (2-8-0, 6 points) on Saturday dropped a 2-1 decision to OKC Energy FC (4-3-2, 14 points) in the final match of its five-game road swing. Azriel Gonzalez scored his second goal of the season for Tacoma, who controlled possession for most of the match and outshot the home side by a 15-7 margin. Defiance now returns home to Cheney Stadium for the first time since April 1 when it hosts Portland Timbers 2 on Sunday, May 12 (1:30 p.m. PT / ESPN+).
Gonzalez’s marker evened the match at 1-1 in the 40th minute on a feed from defender Jonathan Campbell. He received the pass inside the area on a lofted ball from Campbell near midfield. The 17-year-old Gonzalez took one touch to finish past Energy FCgoalkeeper Cody Laurendi for the equalizer. Gonzalez now leads Tacoma with two goals in 2019.
Deshorn Brown opened the scoring in the 13th minute by beating Tacoma goalkeeper Trey Muse to his left side. Cordell Cato sent a pass into the area to the foot of Brown, who took one dribble before finding the back of the net.
In the 70th minute, Brown completed his brace with his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Muse made a diving stop near the far post, but the ball found the foot of Brown, who finished for the game-winning goal.
Six players under the age of 20 saw action for Tacoma tonight, including one First Team player in Muse.
Tacoma Defiance returns home for its first game at Cheney Stadium since April 1 with a match against Portland Timbers 2 on Sunday, May 12 (1:30 p.m. PT / ESPN+). The club then hosts Reno 1868 FC on Saturday, May 18 (7:00 p.m. PT / ESPN+).
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance I 1-2 I OKC Energy FC
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Venue: Taft Stadium I Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Referee: Matthew Thompson
Assistants: Shane Kennard, Seth Barton
Fourth Official: Joshua Pennington
SCORING SUMMARY
OKC – Deshorn Brown (Cordell Cato) 13′
TAC – Azriel Gonzalez (Jonathan Campbell) 40′
OKC – Deshorn Brown 70′
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TAC – Jesse Daley (caution) 16′
OKC – Mike da Fonte (caution) 42′
TAC – Nick Hinds (caution) 47′
TAC – Joel Rydstrand (caution) 68′
LINEUPS & STATS
TAC – Trey Muse; Henry Wingo, Sam Rogers (Antonee Burke-Gilroy 76′), Jonathan Campbell, Nick Hinds; Jesse Daley (Joel Rydstrand 62′), Josh Atencio; Marlon Vargas, Danny Robles, Azriel Gonzalez; Justin Dhillon (Shandon Hopeau 80′)
Substitutes not used: Jacob Castro, Denso Ulysse
Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 13
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 2
OKC – Laurendi; Alvin Jones, Mekeil Williams, Atiba Harris, Mike da Fonte; Rafael Garcia, Omar Gordon, Callum Ross, Alexy Bosetti (Kyle Hyland 89′), Cordell Cato, Deshorn Brown (Christian Eissele 85′)
Substitutes not used: Bryan Byars, Drew Beckie, Christian Ibeagha, Kalokwera Okot, Marco Bustos
Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 12
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 9
Saves: 2
