FRISCO, Texas –North Texas SC travels to Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, July 9 at 10:00PM CT at Starfire Sports Stadium. Here’s everything you need to know before the game.
How to Watch
Sunday’s game will kick off at 10:00PM CT on MLSNEXTPro.com with Kylen Mills calling the match.
Match Overview
NTX Record: 5-6-6 (22 points – 10th in West)
TAC record: 7-3-5 (29 points – 4th in West)
NTX vs. TAC all-time: 0-0-2 (2 GF, 2 GA)
STORY LINES
Practice Makes Perfect
In the last match, North Texas SC earned two points at home in a back and forth match against LAFC2. North Texas would take the lead in the 57th minute with a Diego Garcia goal, then again in the 85th minute with a goal from Pablo Torre before eventually ending in a draw. Prior to this match, the team had five draws and lost the penalty kick shootout in all five games. After a lot of practice and mental resilience shown by the team, North Texas was able to secure an extra point winning the penalty shootout 8-7 highlighted by an Antonio Carrera save. The team looks to build on the credible two points against LAFC2 as they continue to make a push towards the final playoff contention spots.
Player To Watch
In the last match, 16-year-old Diego Garcia scored his second goal of the season. The goal was extremely well taken, as Garcia controlled a ball played over the top by forward Hope Aveyevu and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper into the net. Garcia has been a revelation this season, initially lauded for his work rate and pressing ability the young midfielder has grown in confidence as weeks have gone by and now seems to be a strong goal-scoring threat. Despite having only played in 12 games this season totaling just 836, Garcia ranks second on the team with 12 key passes in attacking areas. Garcia has the unique ability to get others involved while also maintaining a high defensive work rate, closing down opponents and disrupting the other team's midfield. The North Texas player will undoubtedly have an impact if the club wants to continue their playoff push.
Get to Know Tacoma Defiance
Tacoma Defiance come into the match on the back of a 1-0 victory at home over Houston Dynamo 2. Led by head coach Wade Webber, the team currently sits in 4th position in the Western Conference with 29 points through 15 games. The team has been led by forward Braudílio Rodrigues who has netted seven goals and one assist through the 15 games. Rodrigues has been joined by another strong attacking force on the team, forward Paul Rothrock, who’s assisted five times in addition to two goals of his own. The duo make up roughly 36% of the team’s points total, working in tandem to help the team. In the two prior meetings between Defiance and North Texas SC, there have been two draws, each team winning one penalty kick shootout.
