TUKWILA, Wash. — Down in SoCal about two-thirds of Tacoma Defiance were tested against Atlanta United’s First Team. It was a big loss. But it was also the opportunity for players like Nick Hinds, Danny Levya and Azriel Gonzalez to start and to learn the difference between the top team in MLS and the USL Championship.
“I think it was a learning curve for him,” Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said after Tuesday’s practice about Hinds start at left back. “On the first goal he could have done a little bit better, but look, he was playing against some good guys.