TACOMA, WASH. – Tacoma Defiance (0-1-0, 0 points) on Friday at Cheney Stadium dropped its opening match of the season by a 2-1 score to Reno 1868 FC (1-0-0, 3 points). Sounders FC Academy player Chris Hegardt scored his first professional goal, while Danny Reynolds earned an assist in his first game with Tacoma. Collin Fernandez, Taylor Mueller and Chino Pérez also made their Defiance debuts after being signed in the offseason.
Hegardt scored the first goal of the season for Defiance in the 26th minute. Shandon Hopeau played a ball down the left side to the foot of Danny Reynolds, who sent a pass into the middle of the area.