TUKWILA, WA–It was Decision Day in MLS NEXT Pro and Tacoma Defiance ended up missing out on the top seed in the Western Conference as they fell at StarFire Soccer Complex to Portland Timbers 2, 2-0. The Defiance lose out on top seed in the West to St. Louis City SC 2 on wins after the latter defeated Sporting Kansas City II on penalties on Sunday. The Defiance do get the second seed ahead of Houston Dynamo 2 on goal difference with all three teams on 49 points. Timbers 2 get just their second win of the season finishing well bottom of the conference, but ending on a high note.
The note became a sour one at the hour mark for the Defiance after Randy Mendoza was sent off for two yellows in a six-minute span. Shortly thereafter, Diego Gutierrez would get a brace scoring in the 66th and 75th minutes to give Timbers 2 the win.
We have photos from the match and you can view a sample of each below and more by click on each of the names:
Tacoma Defiance
Portland Timbers