After a 3-2 win in the Western Conference quarterfinals over Whitecaps FC 2, North Texas SC will take on Tacoma Defiance in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference semifinal on Saturday, October 26 at 7:30PM CT from Choctaw Stadium. Here is everything you need to know before the game.
How to Tune In
MLS Season Pass: The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Radio: Fans will be able to tune in live on the FC Dallas app and follow along throughout the postseason. Pregame coverage will begin at 7:15PM with Steve Davis and Garrett Melcer on the call.
Match Overview
NTX Record: 16-4-8 (62 points – 1st in West)
TAC record: 13-10-5 (46 points – 4th in West)
NTX vs. TAC all-time: (1-1-3, 6 GF, 8 GA)
How We Got Here
North Texas defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 by the scoreline of 3-2 in the conference quarterfinals. A flying start in the first half saw goals come from Herbert Endeley and Diego García to make it 2-0. A calm one-on-one finish and a long-distance strike from Eliot Goldthorp shifted the momentum for the visitors. Their glimpse of joy would be shattered with six minutes to go in regulation, as a sensational right-footed strike from Tomas Pondeca inside the box gave North Texas SC the lead. The 3-2 scoreline saw North Texas advance to the conference semifinal for the second time in three seasons.
Player To Watch
Pedrinho, the conductor of the North Texas SC attack had a fantastic playoff debut. The Brazilian led the team in successful dribbles (5), chances created (3) and duels won (6). He also had five touches in the opponent box, 18 passes in the final third and an assist. Pedrinho did not feature in the regular season matchup between North Texas and Tacoma so it will be interesting to see him fare against them in playoffs.
Home Field Advantage
With the 3-2 win over Whitecaps FC 2, North Texas SC logged its third playoff win in club history. This was also the clubs first MLS NEXT Pro playoff win since joining in 2022. The match against Tacoma Defiance will be North Texas’ second time reaching the Western Conference semifinals in three years.
The Other Guys
Tacoma Defiance is coming off a 4-0 home win over Ventura County FC in the Western Conference quarterfinal. Tacoma is led by second year head coach, Hervé Diese who has managed to get the club to two out of three playoff appearances. Two players to keep eye on are midfielder Chris Aquino who led the team with 10 goals this season, and Raul Miglietti who netted a brace in the previous round. The first and only meeting of the season ended with a 2-1 victory for North Texas SC at Choctaw Stadium.
