St Louis CITY2 returns to action after a bye week to face Tacoma Defiance on Saturday, April 26 at 9:00 p.m. CT at Starfire Sports Complex. The match will be streamed on MLSNEXTPro.com.
CITY2 had the week off after going 3-2-1 through their first six matches and will take on Tacoma Defiance for the first time this season. Nearly two weeks ago, CITY2 faced Ventura County FC and fell 3-1, suffering their first away loss of the season. Ryan Becher scored his first goal of the season in the first half before Ventura scored three unanswered goals to earn the victory. CITY2 will be without midfielder Miguel Perez who picked up a red card during the match and is suspended this weekend.
St Louis had the upper hand in their regular season meetings last year against Tacoma, winning 1-0 away on June 6, and in CITY2’s final regular season match on October 6, defeating them 5-0. The match saw Dida Armstrong score a brace, and John Klein, Caden Glover, and Mykhi Joyner notch goals as well. CITY2 is 3-0-1 all-time against Tacoma Defiance.
St Louis comes into Saturday’s meeting having only conceded four goals, tying them for third in MLS NEXT Pro in goals against. The team has also completed the third most passes in MLSNP with 2,999 passes. CITY2 leads the league in shutouts with four.
Tacoma is 3-2-0 this season picking up two wins at home against The Town FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 and falling in two matches away against Ventura County FC and LAFC2. The Defiance picked up their first away win on Wednesday night beating SKC II 4-1. Tacoma is led in goals scored by forwards Osaze De Rosario and Yu Tsukanome, who have scored seven and five goals respectively. Additionally, the Defiance have had a successful run in the U.S. Open Cup as the only remaining MLS NEXT Pro team and will face MLS side Portland Timbers in the Round of 32.
