Match Preview: VCFC vs Tacoma Defiance | May 2nd, 2025

After a successful road win against Vancouver Whitecaps, VCFC look to capitalize on their return home to William Rolland Stadium in MLS NEXT Pro Week 8. The match kicks off at 7pm PST and will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Tickets are available here.

Staying Resilient

The home side hasn’t been able to keep a clean sheet since March 26th against Houston Dynamo 2. The previous three games have seen VCFC concede first, two of them finishing with County claiming all three points. With Ascel Essengue now being loaned out to Phoenix Rising in the USL-Championship, Pepe Magana will need to rise up to the occasion.

Jason Bucknor sealed all three points for County in dramatic fashion on Sunday night against Vancouver Whitecaps 2. New signing Nick Sullivan also shined on his debut as he scored in the first half to level the game before half-time.

About the Opponent

This is Tacoma’s second visit to Thousand Oaks in the 2025 campaign. Their previous trip resulted in a 3-2 victory for County, but the team from up north was able to impose their will on the home side. De Rosario scored a brace on the night, and is now the current leader in MLS NEXT Pro as the competition’s highest goalscorer (8). Tacoma also leads the league in goals scored and goals assisted thanks to the University of Washington alum Peter Kingston.