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Classic Championship Game of the Day: #NMvTAC, October 16, 2019

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 04/20/20, 10:00AM EDT

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Tacoma’s Muse pulled off record-equaling display in remarkable clash against New Mexico

Welcome to the Classic Championship Game of the Day, where today we revisit one of the great individual performance of the 2019 season that saw Tacoma Defiance goalkeeper Trey Muse equal the USL Championship record with 13 saves in his side’s visit to New Mexico United at Isotopes Park.

The game was a crucial one for New Mexico, which was in the middle of a battle for the postseason with the LA Galaxy II, San Antonio FC and Las Vegas Lights FC. Going into the contest, New Mexico was in 11th place, two points back of SAFC for 10th, but this matchup against Tacoma served as their game in hand on the rest of the challengers. Two wins in their final two home games – the second coming against Las Vegas three days later – and New Mexico would be assured of a place in the playoffs in their inaugural season.

The postseason was well out of reach for Tacoma, but that hadn’t stopped the club’s talented young players from finding a late-season upturn in form. A 5-1 home victory against San Antonio had given the playoff race a jolt the previous month, and the Defiance entered its trip to New Mexico on the back of a three-game undefeated streak that included victories against Fresno FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks in its prior two outings. New Mexico might have been a major favorite going into the matchup, but Tacoma was seemingly relishing its role as spoiler.

The scene is set, so sit back, relax and enjoy a classic clash from the Championship’s history.

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