The Defiance are dancing!
Osaze De Rosario played the hero on Tuesday night, delivering the game-winner in extra time to lift Tacoma Defiance past Oakland Roots SC 2-1 and into the Round of 32 of the 2025 U.S. Open Cup.
With around ten minutes remaining in the second period of extra time, forward Jackson Khoury applied pressure high up the pitch, forcing an Oakland defender into a costly turnover.
After gaining possession, Khoury quickly slipped a pass into the box, where De Rosario was waiting. With defenders closing fast, De Rosario fired off a quick shot that deflected off the Oakland goalkeeper but still spun over the goal line to give Tacoma a 2-1 lead and ignite the celebrations at Starfire Sports Complex.
Back-and-forth affair
Seattle Sounders Academy product Peter Kingston opened the scoring in the first half, curling in a stunning long-range free kick to give the hosts an early lead.
Oakland struck back after the break, converting a penalty to bring the match level and force extra time.
Tacoma's goalkeeper Andrew Thomas stood tall throughout the night, making seven saves across 120 minutes to keep the Defiance in the fight.
Even after going down to ten men late in extra time, Hervé Diese’s side held their composure and dug deep to protect their lead, completing the Cupset in front of their home crowd.
No place like Starfire
The 2-1 victory over Oakland Roots extends Tacoma’s home unbeaten run to more than 300 days, with their last loss at Starfire Sports Complex taking place on June 6, 2024.
After starting the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season with back-to-back home victories and adding three straight Open Cup wins, Tacoma Defiance have made one thing clear: at Starfire Sports Complex, they’re a tough team to beat and an even tougher one to knock out.
With the win over Oakland, Tacoma now await the Round of 32 draw.
In the meantime, they’ll enjoy a brief break before returning to MLS NEXT Pro action on Wednesday, April 23, when they travel to face off against Sporting KC II on MLS Season Pass.
