Defiance vs. Loyal, recap: a happy homecoming
Share this story
Sounders FC Digital / Tacoma Defiance
Wade Webber and his Tacoma Defiance played with fans in the seats at Cheney Stadium for the first time in over a year when San Diego Loyal came to town Thursday evening. A 3-1 win for the Baymen was a great result and a welcome treat for the 1,222 in attendance, as well as those who tuned in on ESPN+, and could prove to be an early indication of the changes happening in Tacoma under the guidance of the man whose players call “Profe.”
It wasn’t exactly Joga Bonito on display, but one of the lessons that Webber is trying to teach his side is that there’s a certain kind of beauty in three points won through commitment and resiliency. Tacoma were solidly out-possessed as San Diego finished the game with 58.7% of possession according to USL, completed just under 67% of their passes, and only won about 46% of their duels. They had the best of the only stat that really matters, w
Defiance add two Academy products
Share this story
Sounders FC Digital // Lindsey Wasson
The youth movement in the Seattle Sounders organization is obviously not limited to the First Team. Tacoma Defiance has been one of the youngest teams in the USL Championship throughout its existence, and that won’t be changing any time soon. Following the addition of four more veteran players, Defiance announced on Friday that Academy players Juan Alvarez and Obed Vargas had signed with the team.
Alvarez, a 16 year-old attacking midfielder, has spent time in First Team training during 2021 and made his presence noted when he scored the lone goal in one of the two preseason friendlies with San Diego Loyal. He’s yet another example of the full player development pipeline, first having joined the Sounders Discovery Program at the age of 12 before becoming a full-time Academy player at 14. Alvarez trained with Tacoma in 2020 with the Academy season canceled due to the pandemic.
TACOMA, WASH. – Tacoma Defiance today announced that it has signed midfielders Juan Alvarez and Obed Vargas. The Sounders FC Academy products officially join the club before the team opens the 2021 season on the road at Los Angeles Galaxy II (5:00 p.m. PT / ESPN+, ESPN Deportes). The pair of signings bring Defiance to 19 players with USL Championship contracts ahead of 2021 campaign.
“We’ve been excited with Juan’s progression during preseason. After Head Coach Brian Schmetzer observed him in Academy sessions, the decision was made to integrate him into First Team training for 2021 preseason as he’s adapted very well to the environment, improving every day with the guidance and coaching from the staff,” said Sounders FC Director of Player Development Henry Brauner. “Obed has exceeded expectations since joining the Academy from his home club in Alaska a couple years ago, and we’re looking forward to seeing his development on and off the field as he evolves into the
Tacoma Defiance: 2021 season preview
Share this story
Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
On the rise above the near cliff, in the shadow of Tahoma, caressed by the winds of Commencement Bay sits Cheney Stadium. Among the tall trees, along the freeway, within the heart of Central Tacoma this final proving ground of the Seattle Sounders organization provides a home, and hopefully a fortress.
In the pandemic season of 2020, Tacoma Defiance finished 12th in the Western Conference of the USL Championship, but a distant 3rd in Group A. Now, a 253 aficionado takes over for a team that simultaneously got younger, and more experienced. Tacoma’s USL Championship team now averages just over 3 years of professional experience per player, and not just because of Taylor Mueller.