FC Tucson came from behind Saturday twice to secure a 3-2 win over Chattanooga Red Wolves at CHI Memorial Stadium.
Daniel Bedoya converted a penalty kick in the 91st minute to knock off Chattanooga, which entered the match atop the USL League One table.
Bedoya’s game winner was set up by midfielder Elijah Wynder, a late substitute, who made a great run to receive a long ball behind the Chattanooga defense but was taken down as he entered the box.
Bedoya rocketed the ensuing PK past Chattanooga goalkeeper Carlos Avilez.
PENALTY CONVERTED ‼️ ‼️
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) April 24, 2022
TUC 3-2 CHA#fuerzatucson 🌵 | #CHAvTUC pic.twitter.com/sIsduTZsCo
Chattanooga (2-1-1, 7 points) took the lead in the 26th minute after a cross from Moe Espinoza found Jimmie Villalobos in the middle of the box. The forward tapped it in from close range, beating a diving Carlos Merancio.
Tucson (1-1-1, 4 points) didn’t let it keep them down and came out firing in the second half.
A corner whipped into the box from Louis Perez in the 55th minute found the head of Luca Mastrantonio who knocked it into the bottom corner.
LUCA MASTRANTONIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ‼️
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) April 24, 2022
TUC 1-1 CHA#fuerzatucson 🌵 | #CHAvTUC pic.twitter.com/QmCtlqVqde
Chattanooga quickly retook the lead in the 62nd minute when midfielder Raphael Mentzingen slotted home a cross from Espinoza.
FC Tucson kept up its momentum and continued pressing in Chattanooga’s half. The effort paid off when Louis Perez beat off two defenders to rocket the ball into the net from outside the box.
FROM DISTANCE 😱
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) April 24, 2022
Louis Perez makes us level!!!
TUC 2-2 CHA#fuerzatucson 🌵 | #CHAvTUC pic.twitter.com/3ivrg0N5oU
Chattanooga came close to grabbing the lead for a third time with a close range shot from midfielder José Carrera-Garcia. Luca Mastrantonio slid into his path, blocking the shot and keeping the scoreline level.
Luca just doing defender things 🧱
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) April 24, 2022
TUC 2-2 CHA#fuerzatucson 🌵 | #CHAvTUC pic.twitter.com/C13eN6vpAQ
GOALS
- 26′ – CHA – Jimmie Villalobos – WATCH
- 55′ – TUC – Luca Mastrantonio – WATCH
- 62′ – CHA – Raphael Mentzingen – WATCH
- 71′ – TUC – Louis Perez – WATCH
- 91′ – TUC – Daniel Bedoya – WATCH
QUOTES
- “I think we started to impose ourself on the match, I think we grew stronger as the game got longer and considering we had three matches in seven days it just speaks to the absolute will to win of the group.” – FC Tucson Head Coach Jon Pearlman
- “The main thing for us was taking care of the ball in the middle of the field and getting our centrals to get on the ball a little bit more. All the substitutes were tremendous today and it really was a great team win.” – FC Tucson Head Coach Jon Pearlman
- “It was really satisfying to score again from a header, but the blocks are what I take more pride in. As long as we don’t concede goals it’s my most important thing.” – FC Tucson Defender Luca Mastrantonio
NEXT UP
FC Tucson returns home to face off against South Georgia Tormenta FC at Kino North Stadium on Saturday, April 30. Kick off is set for 7:00 p.m. (BUY TICKETS)