When the Tacoma Defiance and Portland Timbers 2 step on the pitch at Merlo Field tonight they will both have something on the line. If T2 win they will crawl their way above the red line. If the Defiance win they will be in a tie for 17th in the USL Championship Western Conference, which would be the first time since the first month of the season that the Defiance aren’t in 18th—and as a bonus they would be the reason T2 continues to sit outside the playoff positions.
This match will also be the best chance the Defiance have at getting a win on the road this season.