For decades, Tacoma has inspired strong soccer defense. It’s a legacy that starts with Dan Vaughn, passes through assistant coach Wade Webber, and continues into today’s Defiance. After being drafted by Sounders FC, Danny Reynolds joins Defiance capable of playing on the left. Reynolds likes to make the opposition know he’s around. “When you are playing against attackers you have to make sure that they know you are there. I definitely like getting into players, especially at the start of the game.”

Boosting the backline in 2020 is a man from the land of Thierry Henry and Demba Ba. Abdoulaye Cissoko is a promising 20-year-old from a tiny French industrial town. AB is a ball-controlling centerback who at 6-foot-3 looks down at most opponents.

Help us usher in a new model for soccer in the US – all centered around a world-class soccer-specific stadium in Central Tacoma. On Monday, March 9 Metro Parks Tacoma is meeting to discuss the soccer stadium. Goal Tacoma has a rally planned ahead the event.

The first 1,500 fans at Opening Night will get mini Flags of Defiance. Come early to kick off the Men in Black’s season right. If you don’t have tickets yet, we’ve got specials for you, including a Party Deck ticket for just $35 with an all-inclusive BBQ buffet and beverages.

Sounders Organization News

Last year’s starting Defiance keeper Trey Muse is one to watch. The Sounders Homegrown Player finished third in saves for the USL Championship in 2019. After a full season training under South Sound legend Tom Dutra and alongside MLS Cup winner Stefan Frei, Mr. Muse is poised to break out.

USL News

The USL Championship preseason power rankings doubt us. Here in Tacoma we’re used to doubt, and then showing the world just how great we are. Yes, the West is tough. But we are tougher.

Julio Rodriguez (Joe Williams, West Virginia Power)

Is the J-Rod Show coming to Cheney Stadium in 2020? R boldest predictions include seeing teen phenom Julio Rodriguez in Tacoma this season. The kid is coming off a tear worthy of a double-take in 2019, slashing .462/.514/.738 in his first taste of the Cal League with Modesto.

Take a look at thirteen guys who could be in R Bullpen in 2020. Mike Curto has a couple as locks and others he expects to see in red as they round into form.

From $2 beers on Thirsty Thursday to a galaxy far, far away on Star Wars night, each Rainiers contest provides something different, and every game is built with you and your family in mind. Single-game tickets to R Welcome Homestand (April 9-13) start at $7, and you can get tickets to 15 of the season’s biggest theme nights.

Email Tickets@WeRTacoma.com for more information regarding group and hospitality options for the 2020 season.

Mariners Organization News

The first set of reassignments from Seattle’s major league camp to minor league came out of Peoria. The roster is still well above a 40-man. The Hot-spects are still dreaming big down in Arizona.

Dietrich Enns joined the M’s on a minor league contract. The lefty threw for El Paso last year, going 11-11 and should be expected to call the friendlier confines of Cheney Stadium home in 2020.

MLB News

Bringing in big bats like Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic, GM Jerry DiPoto resurrected the Seattle Mariners farm system. Now rated in the Top 5, there’s big sticks and a few pitchers who we’ll see in Tacoma as we enjoy some cold ones, dugout dancing and dingers.

Captain Katrina Anderson, Foss Maritime, the tug life – they’re all part of why Tacoma is Tacoma. Commencement Bay and the Port keep Tacoma’s economy running. They couldn’t do it without the tugs and their powerful engines.

Even before the Port was the Fort. Fort Nisqually started a bit further south. Now it is part of Point Defiance bringing forth the history of how life was. With the sun in the air, head down to the fort and experience living history.

Events around R City

• Flags Up, Tacoma! March 6: Defiance Opening Night.
• March 7: Join other K-Pop and J-Pop kids at Tacoma Public Library‘s main branch.
• March 7:  Come as you arrrrgh to the Buccaneers & Brews Bash at Black Fleet Brewing. Celebrate the pirate’s life at Tacoma’s blackest brewery.
• March 9: Metro Parks Tacoma’s first meeting about the m soccer stadiuproject is March 9. Our rally is at 5 p.m. in their parking lot.
• March 12: Hilltop’s Zodiac Supper Club hosts the sequel of Tacoma’s “Nastiest DJ Night” Junk 2. Expect all vinyl bargain bin finds from our own Cheney Stadium DJ Casey Catherwood

Mother nature is still trying to decide if it’s winter or spring. You don’t have to decide. Get a hoodie or crewneck and stay warm no matter the weather.

What’s your go to spring baseball sweatshirt, hooded or crewneck? #WeRTacoma #MiLB
🛒https://t.co/6VPe72n1hj pic.twitter.com/Cft1FaYrnW

— Tacoma Rainiers Team Store (@TacomaTeamStore) March 2, 2020

Click here for Rainiers gear online.

Sure, the first 1,500 fans at Opening Night are getting Tacoma Defiance mini-flags, but maybe you want a bigger flag for your home or business. Fly your flag on matchday, in the sunshine, or the rain. Be Defiantly Tacoma every day.

Click here for Defiance gear to purchase online.

The Tacoma Team Store is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.