Tacoma Defiance earned all three points in a Western Conference Clash, knocking off Real Monarchs 2-0 Sunday evening at Starfire Sports Complex.
In their second meeting this season, Defiance took the victory once again. The two sides met on opening weekend on March 27, with a 4-0 victory ending in favor of the Defiance.
Defiance winger Reed Baker-Whiting struck the back of the net in the fourth minute, setting the tone in quick fashion.
The 17-year-old scored his first professional goal off a left-footed shot from the center of the box.
The fourth minute strike put the Defiance up 1-0 and put pressure on the Monarchs from the opening minutes.
Marlon Vargas doubled their lead in the 54th minute to put the Defiance up 2-0 after a defensive error saw a backpass to goalkeeper Gavin Beavers go wrong and Vargas took advantage, taking the ball from the rushing goalkeeper at the top of the box and slotting home.
The Defiance have now gone four straight matches unbeaten, winning two and drawing two during the four-match-stretch. Real Monarchs on the other hand have now lost three consecutive matches.
Week nine sees Tacoma Defiance head on the road to take on Colorado Rapids 2 at Dicks Sporting Goods Park.
Four straight matches unbeaten sees Defiance continuing to climb the table in the Western Conference, vaulting into the top-four in the West with 14 points, pushing MNUFC2 to fifth with 13.
MLS NEXT Pro leading goalscorer Alfonso Ocampo-Chávez didn’t find the back of the net for Defiance Sunday evening, but had two shots with an XG of .15.
Baker-Whiting’s fourth minute strike is the quickest goal the Defiance have scored this season, and it proved crucial Sunday night. A late surge from the away side saw pressure building late, with Monarchs ending the match both out-shooting and out-possessing the home side.
Only three of their eight shots ended up on target, but it wasn’t a lack of effort. Clinical finishing ended up paving the way for the Defiance, whose two goals were their only two shots on target.
The second half saw Monarchs come alive and take control, but it was far too little, far too late.
