CITY2’s Mykhi Joyner scored the equalizer in second-half stoppage time
St. Louis CITY2 fought hard to earn a point in their first match of the 2023 season. It was a back-and-forth affair in the first half. CITY2 had a dangerous chance in the 15th minute on a rebound off a shot from midfielder Owen O’Malley, but it missed just wide. That would be the story of the first half for CITY2, as the team continued creating scoring opportunities but could not find the back of the net.
In the 20th minute, forward Aziel Jackson danced around multiple defenders with masterful dribbling, but his shot from just outside the box would be stopped by Tacoma’s keeper Andrew Thomas. CITY2 kept the chances coming with a pair of good looks in the 24th minute, including a shot from midfielder John Klein from just a few yards out, but Thomas made another pair of spectacular saves to keep the match level at zero.
The visitors would string together a handful of threatening chances as halftime approached, but the CITY2 backline found ways to clear the ball and keep Tacoma off the board. Off a corner kick in first half stoppage time, it seemed as if CITY2 would get on the board when a header was redirected towards the goal, but the Tacoma keeper made another incredible save to keep the match scoreless.
The second half featured much of the same for both sides. Out of the gates, Jackson put pressure on Tacoma with a run up the middle of the field, spinning around two defenders to get into the box before having the ball stolen and cleared away. Klein blasted a shot on target from just outside the box in the 56th minute and Jackson followed up by sending an off-balance shot careening towards goal in the 57th minute, but their efforts were thwarted by the Tacoma keeper once again.
Tacoma responded a few minutes later with offensive pressure of their own, generating a couple corner kicks that were headed away by CITY2. Tacoma eventually took the lead in the 76th minute when defender Hal Uderitz headed in a long cross, but CITY2 equalized in second half stoppage time, after patiently waiting for a lane to open. CITY2 sent a cross into the box that forward Mykhi Joyner headed past Tacoma’s defense to bring the match to a draw in dying moments. Tacoma Defiance picked up an extra point by winning shootouts 5-4.
UP NEXT
St. Louis CITY2 take the pitch at CITYPARK once again on Sunday, April 2, against Minnesota United FC 2, who enters the contest with a 1-0-0 record.
STARTING LINEUP
Michael Creek, Dida Armstrong, Aziel Jackson, John Klein, Wan Kuzain, Max Schneider, AJ Palazzolo, Owen O’Malley, Josh Maher, Michael Wentzel, Sergio Rivas
GOALS
76’ - Hal Uderitz (TAC)
90’+ - Mykhi Joyner (STL)
