SEATTLE, WASH. – Tacoma Defiance forward Justin Dhillon today was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 26. He recorded a brace in Tacoma’s 5-1 victory over San Antonio FC on Friday, and added an assist on Tuesday against Phoenix Rising FC. Midfielder Shandon Hopeau was named to the Team of the Week bench after recording a goal and two assists in two matches last week.
Dhillon’s team-leading eighth goal of 2019 gave Tacoma a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute on Friday against San Antonio. Hopeau won a ball on the near sideline and took two touches before finding Dhillon in the area. The First Team forward finished with one touch to the left side of the goal to give his side an early advantage. Dhillon completed his brace with a blast from outside the area in the 90th minute. He took two touches with his right foot and sent a screaming ball into the back of the net for the final goal of the evening.
Hopeau’s goal came on a penalty kick conversion on Tuesday against Phoenix. Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez was taken down in the area to earn to penalty kick for the home side, and Hopeau calmly converted for his fourth marker of the season. The midfielder has now scored in two of his last four contests.
Tacoma Defiance next begins a stretch of two matches in four days with a matchup at Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, September 7 (7:30 p.m. PT / ESPN+). The club then travels to take on Reno 1868 FC on Tuesday, September 10 (7:00 p.m. PT / ESPN+).
