CARSON, CALIF. - Tacoma Defiance (0-0-1, 1 point) opened its 2021 campaign on Sunday evening with a 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy II (1-1-1, 4 points) at Dignity Health Sports Park. After Jorge Hernandez scored for Los Dos off a free kick in the 78th minute, Defiance defender Abdoulaye Cissoko converted a penalty kick at the death to even the score right before the final whistle. Tacoma now returns home to host the first match of the season at Cheney Stadium this Thursday, May 13 vs. San Diego Loyal SC (7:00 p.m. PT / ESPN+).
After Tacoma conceded a foul late in the second half, Hernandez bent a free kick over the wall and past the outstretched hand of keeper Stefan Cleveland to open the scoring at 1-0. The lead would last until the final moments of the match, when Tacoma drew a penalty kick deep into stoppage time after a chaotic corner kick led to a handball by a LA defender inside the 18-yard-box. Cissoko was able to convert the penalty to tie the game up in the 96th minute, securing the draw and a road point to start the season.
MATCH SUMMARY
Tacoma Defiance 1 – LA Galaxy II 1
Sunday, May 9, 2021
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 70 degrees
SCORING SUMMARY
LA – Jorge Hernandez 78’
TAC – Abdoulaye Cissoko (penalty) 90+6’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LA – Adrian Gonzalez (caution) 13'
TAC – Taylor Mueller (caution) 35'
TAC – Obed Vargas (caution) 37'
LA – Jesus Vazquez (caution) 48’
TAC – Issa Rayyan (caution) 63’
TAC – Carlos Anguiano (caution) 77’
LA – Owen Lambe (caution) 80’
LINEUPS & STATS
Tacoma Defiance – Stefan Cleveland, Alex Villanueva (Carlos Anguiano 65’); Abdoulaye Cissoko, Taylor Mueller – captain (Eric Kinzner 45’); Issa Rayyan (Randy Mendoza 75’); Sota Kitahara, Azriel Gonzalez, Reed Baker-Whiting, Obed Vargas (Alec Diaz 66’); Juan Alvarez (Ray Serrano 45’); Marlon Vargas
Substitutes not used: Christian Herrera, Danny Robles
Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 13
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 4
LA Galaxy II – Justin vom Steeg, Owen Lambe, Josh Drack, Marcus Ferkranus, Jesus Vazquez – captain, Daniel Aguierre (Taylor Davila 69’); Jorge Hernández, Adrian Gonzalez, Axel Picazo, Kai Koreniuk (Preston Judd 69’); Augustine Williams (Sebastian Nava 84’)
Substitutes not used: Felix Barajas, Alan Solorio, Adrian Aguilar, Sebastian Hernandez
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 15
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 2
