On a day when soccer was on the mind of the entire Puget Sound, it was a Brazil vs Canada exhibition as the main event. For fans that began an eventful day of soccer at Curtis High School for the Tacoma vs Spokane match, the day was kicked off in style. The Tide vs Spiders appetizer yielded five goals, each from a different Tide player.

The Spokane Spiders made their way to Tacoma just one night after a 1-1 tie in Salem, Oregon with the Cascade Surge. So when the Tide controlled possession throughout the first half, it was evident that the Spiders’ goal was simply to defend and hope for a counter attack shocker. Despite a number of corner kicks and opportunities in the box, that first goal seemed like it might not come. All Tide worries were relaxed when Machael David linked up with Chase Tangney in the 37th minute. Just a few minutes after Tangney had set up an apparent goal for Rory Agu, this time he took matters into his own hands and placed the ball into the bottom right corner. The goal came with a small dispute from the Spiders players because Agu was clearly in an offside position on the play. However, the Tide forward did not make a play for the ball so Tangney scooped it up and scored. Tangney’s run had come from an onside position so his goal was legal.

Rory Agu, 5 goals on the season

With the outcome still undetermined a goal right before halftime would have eased tensions; and it did. Dennis Sanchez, who was vibrant all afternoon, in earning Comcast Man of the Match honors, crossed in a driven corner to the forehead of Spencer Schomaker. Schomaker’s diving header banged the ball into the top corner for goal number two.

The rest of the match was all Tide, save a quick counter attack opportunity that landed at the foot of Ben Funkhauser of the Spiders. Funkhauser, one of the Spiders’ best players had a wide open one v one with Jordan Jennings in goal but blasted the ball over the top of the goal in a wasted effort. The Tide responded with goals from Rory Agu, Steve Mohn, and Cam Vickers. The Agu goal gives him 5 goals on the season. Mohn and Vickers’ goals were their first of the 2008 campaign. Jennings had to do little to earn a shutout on the day, but scoreline adds to the impressive 14-1 goal differential for the Tide at home this season.

Tacoma - Jennings (Walker 84), Lee, David (Fadida 82), Tangney, Mohn, Agu, Maxwell (Hoss 68), Sanchez, Orozco (Cox 72), Schomaker (Vickers 84), Scott

Spokane - Flynn, Philip, Realing, Seon, Funkhauser, McMurdie, Peterson, Friesen, Grider, Vela, Davidson