Down, but still not out.

Tacoma Defiance are down to the bitter end of their season. Today’s match against LA Galaxy II — the team four points ahead of Tacoma in the final playoff spot for the Pacific Division — is Tacoma’s final home game of the season and their second-to-last of the regular season. Following a pair of scoreless draws, if Tacoma’s attack can rediscover their rhythm, and with it their potency, there’s still a sliver of hope remaining for a playoff appearance.

With the post-season likely beyond their grasp, Defiance are playing for their futures more than anything else. Sam Adeniran seems almost certain to have a future in MLS if he wants it, but will he show enough to make sure that that future is here in the Puget Sound? Can Ray Serrano continue his development and make a case for a First Team contract? There are questions ahead for every player on the roster, even if we’re not likely to get answers from this game alone.

Why you should watch

• Gazing into the future: This game and the next won’t necessarily determine the future of any player on the roster. Surely a golazo or a big save, or likely even a virtuosic performance in the center of midfield, won’t count for more than the other 30 games of the season; nor will a bobbled catch or a blundered tackle. These games will, however, provide further data and improve the sample size. Players are still making their cases — for Tacoma, for Seattle, for other teams in the league(s) and around the world — and so they’re never without something to play for. Add to that, Taylor Mueller can only play for so long. With the playoffs still a distant possibility, it wouldn’t hurt to make at least one last trip.

How to watch

Match date/kickoff time: Sunday, October 24, 1:30 PM PT

Venue: Cheney Stadium | Tacoma, Washington

Online Streaming: ESPN+

Defiance Absences: Randy Mendoza is out with a broken jaw. Sota Kitahara is on loan to FC Pinzgau Saalfelden in Austria until the end of 2021. Azriel Gonzalez is on loan to FC Edmonton through the 2021 CPL season.

Galaxy II: To be announced