North Texas secured a 3-1 victory over Tacoma Defiance in the MLS Next Pro group stage on 9 August 2026. The hosts moved level on points with their visitors after the result, both sides sitting fourth in their respective sections. It was a match decided in moments rather than sustained pressure from either side.
X. Gnaulati opened the scoring in the 50th minute, catching the defence off guard after a period of cautious play. L. Goncalves had already been cautioned for North Texas in the 43rd minute, so the goal came as a relief to the home fans. By then, the visitors had been struggling to find rhythm against the press.
Substitutions began in earnest from the 65th minute as G. Sandnes entered the fray for North Texas. S. Starnes doubled the lead just four minutes later in the 69th, and D. Robles picked up a yellow card for the hosts in the 57th. M. Shour was also booked for North Texas in the 71st, suggesting the intensity had risen sharply.
D. Baran made it three in the 72nd minute before being substituted himself in the 83rd. L. Lucero and D. Baran's replacement joined the action that same minute, while D. Robles came off in the 84th. N. James was brought on for North Texas in the 90th minute as the game entered its final stages.
And here's the thing — the match wasn't over. D. Kimbrough added a late goal in 90+2 minutes, and C. Swann came on in the 90+4th minute. D. Brown received a yellow card in the 90+5th minute, bringing the full-time whistle close. Three substitutions for North Texas in the closing moments showed they weren't willing to rest on their laurels.
North Texas dominated possession at 58 per cent and registered 97 attacks compared to Tacoma's 85. The hosts managed seven shots on target with 39 per cent accuracy, while the visitors were more clinical at 57 per cent with four attempts on goal. Corners favoured the home side 7-2, and blocked shots told a similar story.
The result leaves North Texas on 38 points from 25 games, one behind Tacoma's 39 from 26. Both sides have identical records of 13 wins and 12 defeats, though North Texas have played one fewer match. The victory does little to separate them in the standings, but it ends a run of inconsistent form for the hosts after their heavy 6-1 defeat to Los Angeles Galaxy II.