Ventura County FC vs Tacoma Defiance - 3/7/2025
Sebastian Gomez (2006, USA/Nicaragua) - LW - Tacoma Defiance
Right-footed. 5’ 8”, left-wing in a 4-2-3-1, contract expires Dec 2025 per Transfermarkt
Gomez is an attacker who played left wing, but also looks to have the ball control, dribbling, and creativity to play more centrally. He would drift inside and deeper at times to allow the left back to make advanced overlapping runs down the left flank. He made a good turn early after making a soft first touch receiving the ball and then sent a through ball on leading to a shot. Gomez is decisive with his actions in the final third. He also positions himself well defensively which helped him when he was tracking the play back into his defensive third and put his foot in for an interception during a dangerous moment against Tacoma. Defensively, Gomez would set deeper in a midblock but would also rush forward into a more advanced pressing position to help try and win turnovers in their attacking third. One of his presses led to a mistake from the goalkeeper and a quick goal off an interception by the center forward De Rosario. Gomez was subbed off after about 55’.
Conclusions: Appeared comfortable getting the ball in multiple areas on the field whether it was wide, deeper in midfield, or in the final third. Trait that stood out the most was his calmness in the final third, and quick decisive action around the box.
Actions: Follow actively
Charlie Gaffney (2003, USA) - RB - Tacoma Defiance
Right-footed. Right back in a 4-2-3-1, contract expires Dec 2025 per Transfermarkt
Gaffney has above average acceleration and speed which he displayed when he needed to track back quickly during defensive recoveries when the left winger was close to being in on goal. He advances forward and sometimes centrally when in possession. He appeared comfortable on the ball even when pressured in the final third and instead of making a bad mistake would bounce it off of a defender for a corner to help relieve pressure and give his team a chance at an attacking opportunity. In the final third he would often drift centrally as a defensive midfielder before shifting back out wide when Tacoma lost possession. Gaffney would combine with his right winger and then quickly make an overlapping run looking for the return pass during middle third build up play, and was willing to drive towards goal from the right half space while also combining with his right wing partner in the final third near the top of the box. Defensively, Gaffney would accelerate from marking one attacker to the other shifting with the ball but would not over commit keeping the ball in front of him; making it difficult for attackers to beat him one-on-one and get in behind. In the second half, he played a good cross in near post that found his forward who put it away for a goal.
Conclusions: Gaffney was good driving forward in possession, most of the Tacoma’s attacks came down his side when they were trying to get back in the game because he was helping occupy space and putting in dangerous crosses and one led to an assist. He looked capable of holding his own defensively with his positioning but more analysis is needed to make a full determination. His workrate on and off the ball was good.
Actions: Monitor loosely
Mateo Tsakiris (2008, USA/Greece) - LB - Ventura County FC
Left back in a 4-2-3-1, no information on contract
Tsakiris played left back in a 4-2-3-1 and was willing to advance high and centrally when in attacking sequences. He would also drift centrally at times to help during build up play. Defensively he was often very aggressive and was willing to get stuck in which patient attackers were able to punish him for when they could handle his pressure by working the ball into the space that he left open behind him. In the second half Tsakiris appeared to display a little bit more patience when defending holding his position in the backline rather than attacking the ball carrier quite as much.
Conclusions: Tsakiris was a very aggressive player willing to get stuck in defensively and run forward in the attack. His aggressiveness at times left space in behind him vulnerable and he looked to make adjustments in the second half, but that might have also been to help protect their lead. More analysis is needed to get a more thorough determination on all of Tsakiris’ traits
Actions: Monitor loosely
Jeorgio Kocevski (2002, USA/North Macedonia) - DM - Ventura County FC
Right-footed. 6’ 1”, defensive midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 double pivot, contract expires Dec 2025 per Transfermarkt
Kocevski is a defensive midfielder with average to below-average speed. He was tasked with taking corner kicks. Received the ball well with a soft first touch, even in situations where he was receiving a poor pass he was capable of reeling the ball in and keeping it close to his feet. Off the ball, Kocevski did a good job of scanning to make sure he would find a track the most dangerous advancing off the ball run.
Conclusions: Appeared to scan the field well and tracked runners off the ball using his ability to scan and identify where runners were attempting to sneak in behind. In possession, he also made efficient movements to work his way into space. His technique was good when receiving the ball.
Actions: Monitor loosely
Kaito Yamada (2006, Japan) - CB - Tacoma Defiance
Right-footed. 6’ 2”, left center back in a 4-2-3-1, on loan from Vissel Kobe (contract exp. June 2028), loan contract expires Dec 2025 per Transfermarkt
Yamada looked most comfortable playing the ball out of the back with his right foot, but also had moments where he was under pressure and was able to play the ball out with his left. Lost a marker while defending a transition but kept the play in front of him and deflected the ball out of play.
Conclusions: Appeared comfortable on the ball and looked athletic enough to make recovery runs back when his backline was vulnerable. More analysis is needed to get a thorough read on Yamada.
Actions: Monitor loosely
Dylan Vanney (2007, USA) - AM - Ventura County FC
Right-footed. Attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, no information on contract
Took on multiple defenders cutting in from the left half space towards the top of the box before taking a low shot from distance that was tucked away as the goalkeeper dove to his right. This was Vanney’s second goal of the game. Was subbed off in 90’.
Conclusions: Had a strong game with a special second goal which ended up being the game-winning goal. Was not focused on his play for most of the game so will need to focus in on his overall game during next screening to get a more complete picture but initial thoughts are that he has some very special traits.
Actions: Follow actively