Stalemate in Tacoma: Bangers and Stars Share the Spoils

Written By adiana ivarra

Tacoma, WA  —  The 5th-place Portland Bangers traveled to Bellarmine High School in Tacoma, Washington, for the second leg of their back-to-back, facing off against the 3rd-place Tacoma Stars. Although still early in the USL2 season, both sides entered the match level on four points, making this mid-table clash a crucial opportunity to gain separation. With the standings tightly packed, neither team could afford to drop points to a direct competitor.

In the 6th minute, the Bangers were given an early opportunity after a misplaced pass from Tacoma’s back line landed at the feet of Nico Lopez just outside the box. Lopez quickly took one inward dribble and rocketed the ball just over the crossbar and into the netting behind the goal.

Portland threatened again in the 15th minute following a composed build-up across the pitch. Right back, Jaime Villanueva lofted an arcing cross onto the head of an awaiting Banger, who found himself all alone about 10 yards from goal, where his header couldn’t muster enough power to trouble the goalkeeper of Tacoma. 

As the half progressed, Tacoma began to settle into a rhythm, maintaining more of the possession and generating quality looks near the break. Their closest chances came in quick succession, one shot clanged off the crossbar, and another struck the right post. Despite both sides showing flashes of quality, they entered the halftime interval deadlocked at 0-0.

The first chance of the second half for either side came in the 60th minute, where a corner kick for the Portland Bangers was cleared out of the box to the feet of Nico Lopez, who lifted a cross finding the head of CB, Mason Bradley. Bradley rose over the Tacoma defenders and fired a header off the right post and out for a goal kick.

A mere 6 minutes later, a Portland Bangers player swung in a cross from the left flank near the corner flag to the awaiting chest of Vala Saghafi, where the winger took a clever touch off his chest and sent the ball over the outstretch Tacoma keeper through the American Football uprights out for a goal kick. 

With an oncoming throughball from Jaime Villanueva, Vala Saghafi, in almost Arjen Robben-esque fashion, cut the ball from the right flank onto his preferred left foot and unleashed a strike from 20 yards away, which beat the keeper only to be denied by the crossbar once again. 

Despite both teams creating quality chances throughout the match, neither side could find the finishing touch to tilt the balance. The Portland Bangers will leave Tacoma with a hard-earned point, though they’ll feel they had enough opportunities to snatch all three. Meanwhile, the Tacoma Stars may rue their own missed chances but will take solace in the clean sheet.


Match Timeline: Portland Bangers 0 – 0 Tacoma Stars

First Half

  • 6’ – Nico Lopez fires a shot just over the bar after a misplaced Tacoma pass.

  • 15’ – Portland threatens again with a headed effort off a Villanueva cross.

  • 39’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Miguel Cruz (Tacoma)

  • 45’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Baseem Hosseini (Tacoma)

  • 45’ – 🔁 Substitution: Christian Mendoza-Soto comes on for Portland

Halftime Score: 0–0

Second Half

  • 45’ – 🔁 Substitution: Christian Mendoza-Soto comes on for Portland

  • 60’ – Mason Bradley hits the post with a header off a Lopez cross.

  • 61’ – 🔁 Substitution: Lukas Fisher enters for Portland

  • 61’ – 🔁 Substitution: Volodymyr Kubrakov enters for Portland

  • 66’ – Vala Saghafi sends a volley over the bar after chesting down a cross.

  • 72’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Ethan Peterson (Tacoma)

  • 75’ – 🔁 Substitution: Loic Baures enters for Portland

  • 85’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Jaime Villanueva (Portland)

  • 87’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Nico Lopez (Portland)

  • 90’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Mason Abdella (Tacoma)

Full-Time: Portland Bangers 0 – 0 Tacoma Stars

Starting XI – Portland Bangers

GK: Glock
Defenders: Villanueva, Bradley, McClellan, Klein
Midfielders: Sundby, Lopez, Lovell, Jeppe
Forward: Sheffield, Saghafi

Substitutes Used: Mendoza-Soto (45’), Fisher (61’), Kubrakov (61’), Baures (75’)
Unused Subs: Norris, Perez-Hernandez, Huber, Rogers


What’s Next?

  • Upcoming Match: Portland Bangers @ Ballard FC

  • Friday, June 6th 7:00 PM

  • Interbay Stadium, Seattle, WA



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