FC Tucson’s late attempt to erase an early deficit came up short and the Richmond Kickers hung on with their first-half goals for a 2-1 win at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday.
Fitting of a match between two coaches with long histories against each other, John Galas’ Men In Black and Darren Sawatzky’s Kickers made the 90 minutes exciting. The two coaches were old foes in their PDL days and Galas served as an assistant to Sawatzky during FC Tucson’s first professional season in 2019.
Fitting to its current season, FC Tucson tried to pull off another amazing comeback, getting a goal back in the 81st minute and making sure every moment after that was full of tension.
FC Tucson came out with a high press to start the second half and received a shot in the arm with the appearance of 55th-minute substitute Azaad Liadi. The former Georgia Southern star didn’t take long to get in the mix with an excellent cross into the box and a sizzling shot from 25 yards that went just wide of the post.
The Men In Black continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 81st when Shak Adams scored with his left foot after receiving a quick slide pass from Charlie Dennis.
FC Tucson piled on more pressure in search of an equalizer only to have its shots saved, blocked or go just wide.
Despite mustering 66 percent of the possession and managing three shots in the first half, the Men In Black (1-3-0, 3 points) couldn’t put the ball over the goal line and watched Richmond take the lead quickly.
The game got off on the wrong foot for FC Tucson when Richmond (2-1-1, 7 points) scored against the run of play. In the eighth minute, Ivan Magalhaes headed home a free kick by Mutaya Mwape to give the Kickers a 1-0 lead.
Richmond made it 2-0 late in the second half. Emiliano Terzaghi slotted home a right-footed, spin-around strike from 6 yards to end a series of shots after the Men In Black failed to clear the ball in the 42nd minute.
FC Tucson will make a quick turnaround and travel to Florida to take on Orlando City B on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The match at Osceola Heritage Park is set to kick off at 4 p.m. (Tucson time).
