A 78th-minute goal by a substitute denied FC Tucson from gaining some revenge in Saturday night’s 2-1 loss to Union Omaha at Werner Park in Omaha, Neb.
Fifteen minutes after coming on to the pitch, Christian Molina latched on to a through ball on a counterattack and slotted home the winner for the home side. It was the second time this season the Men In Black dropped a 2-1 result to Omaha.
In the first 15 minutes of the game, FC Tucson’s defense absorbed Omaha’s constant pressure before Devin Boyce curled in a shot past the reach of shielded goalkeeper Carlos Merancio in the 16th minute.
The goal flipped the switch on FC Tucson (2-4-0, six points) as the Men In Black began pushing forward and would spend much of the rest of the first half in Union Omaha territory. It would pay off in the 33rd minute when Shak Adams curled one in along the ground and just inside the far post to make it 1-1.
That goal made Adams the 11th player in club history to score in three or more consecutive matches. The former Florida Gulf Coast University star has three goals and two assists in his last 262 minutes on the field. The FC Tucson record for most consecutive games with a goal is four, held by three players.
Early in the second half, FC Tucson survived a rare indirect free kick from 6 yards after the Men In Black were whistled for a back-pass violation. The 50th-minute kick appeared to bounce off three FC Tucson players on the goal line before going out of play.
In the second half, FC Tucson put together numerous forays down the right side while Union Omaha’s offense mustered up a handful of corners that ended up going begging.
But it would be the Owls (3-0-3, 12 points) who would finally capitalize as Molina latched onto a pass and scored.
With some new legs on the pitch, FC Tucson pushed forward for the equalizer but couldn’t find the net.
FC Tucson will try to get back on the winning track when it opens a three-match homestand against the Richmond Kickers on Sept. 5 at Kino North Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
