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Going up against USL League One leader Greenville Triumph SC, FC Tucson rallied from an early goal deficit and managed to take the lead only to see the South Carolina squad nab a goal in stoppage for a 2-2 draw at Kino North Stadium on Saturday night.

“We played inspired,” FC Tucson coach John Galas said. “We came up against a team that is in great form and has had eight days off and we were playing our third in eight days. It’s disappointing we couldn’t get the win.” 

Greenville dominated possession for the first 25 minutes, rarely letting FC Tucson out of its half. In the 14th minute, the Triumph’s pressure paid off when Lachlan McLean scored his fifth goal of the year.

But the Men In Black slowly grew into the game in the final 20 minutes. They managed a handful of corners and free-kicks in Greenville territory before leveling the match. Roberto Alarcon slashed in a cross from the right side that found the head of Josh Coan for a flash header that accounted for his second goal of the year, beating former FC Tucson goalkeeper Dallas Jaye, in the 45th minute.

The momentum carried over into the second half and FC Tucson struck quickly, netting its second tally in the 47th minute when Giovanni Godoy pounced on a mistake, flicked the ball away from Jaye and beat the former Man In Black to make it 2-1. It was Godoy’s third goal of the season and just the third time that a team had notched two goals against the Triumph. 

Down the stretch, FC Tucson (5-6-4, 19 points) had a few chances to extend the lead, including a breakaway by sub Azaad Liadi that was smothered.

Greenville (10-2-2) made the Men In Black pay in the 91st minute when McLean picked up his second goal of the night by heading in a deflected ball that mathematically eliminated FC Tucson from the playoffs.

“It was a hard pill to swallow because of the significant ramifications for the end of the year,” said Galas, whose team ended Greenville’s string of five straight wins. “But I’m proud of the boys.”

FC Tucson, which has picked up two wins and three draws in its last six matches, will wrap up its season on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a home match against Orlando City B at Kino North Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Rundown

Greenville Triumph SC has not made any major changes to their lineup in recent weeks. They did boost the bench with a defender and midfielder signing, #2 Harri Hawkins in defense and #19 Andrew Booth in the middle of the park. Harri has played in 5 games, starting 2 of those while Andrew has been subbed on in 4 games. Both were without a club before joining Greenville Triumph SC.

The team is coached by former FC Cincinnati head coach John Harkes. During his time in the USL Championship with FC Cincinnati, he led the team to a record of 16-6-8, finishing a third of 29 teams and getting a playoff bid in his first season in 2016. Harkes played at the University of Virginia from 1985-1987 and later became the first American to compete in the English Premier League with Sheffield Wednesday and the second American to score at Wembley Stadium. After the English Premier League, Harkes joined Major League Soccer in 1996 and won the MLS cup twice with D.C. United. He was also a six-time MLS All-Star selection. 

You can view Greenville Triumph SC’s roster here 

 

Team Form

In the last 5 games, Greenville Triumph SC is undefeated with a record of 5-0-0. For away games this season, Greenville Triumph SC has a record of 3-2-1 with the 1 loss coming against the Richmond Kickers at the end of August. Greenville Triumph SC is currently 1st in the table with a record of 10-1-2 and a goal difference of +11. They are 8 points clear of second place.

 

Head to Head 

This is the first time Greenville Triumph SC will face the Men in Black in this season. The last time the two sides met was July 20, 2019, when the Men in Black beat Greenville Triumph SC 3-1 at Legacy Early College.

 

Players To Look Out For

In attack for Greenville Triumph SC keep an eye on #9 Jake Keegan. Jake leads the team in goals with 5 goals and 28 shots in 13 appearances. The 5 goals and 28 shots place him 4th on both lists in USL League One play. 

Just behind Keegan is #7 Alex Morrell. He leads the team with 6 assists in 13 appearances which puts him first in USL league one play. Alex also has 29 chances created, putting him second in the league standings. In those 13 games, Alex has 3 goals.

For defense #3 Tyler Polak has been a rock in the backline the entire season. He has played and started in all 13 games, getting subbed off only once. Tyler leads the team in interceptions with 37 and 29 tackles. Tyler is tied with Noah Pilato for first in tackles won with 15 for Greenville Triumph SC. 

In goal #1 Dallas Jaye has yet to leave from in between the sticks for Greenville Triumph SC. In 13 games Dallas has 22 saves which is 10th in USL League One play. Dallas also has 9 clean cheats, which takes the 1st spot in the league. Dallas has only conceded 6 goals in all 13 games played this season.

 

Fun Fact 

October 10th will be FC Tucson’s 10th year anniversary, so let’s celebrate with a big win.

The right foot of Giovanni Godoy proved to be crucial at both ends of the pitch Wednesday night as FC Tucson defeated South Georgia Tormenta FC 1-0 at Erk Russell Park in Statesboro, Georgia. 

After a scoreless first 30 minutes in which each team had multiple chances, FC Tucson broke through on a curling strike by Godoy in the 33rd minute. With the Men In Black pushing forward, Azaad Liadi slotted a pass ahead to Godoy on his left. The hard-charging Godoy cut the ball back and then unleashed a right-footed strike from just outside the 18-yard box that bent just inside the far post. The 25-year-old was then buried under a pile of teammates after scoring his second goal of the season.

The goal was one of nine first-half shots and one of six shots FC Tucson (5-6-3, 18 points) managed after the hydration break, including a chance where Liadi nutmegged a Tormenta defender and then fired a shot that went wide of the far post.

After two early chances by FC Tucson in the second half, South Georgia (3-6-4, 14 points) dominated play, forcing seven saves from goalkeeper Carlos Merancio, who was making his first start in six games. On one play, Merancio blocked a shot with his feet that popped up in the air and was headed into the goal if not for Godoy, who right-footed it away.

“Obviously we are pleased with the three points on the road,” said FC Tucson coach John Galas. “It was the first time we have gotten a result against the Tormenta. It was a massive win for the boys.”

FC Tucson has picked up a point or more in four of its last five matches. 

The Men In Black will return to Tucson to begin a two-game homestand on Saturday, Oct. 10. Kickoff against Greenville Triumph SC is set for 7:30 p.m. at Kino North Stadium.

The Rundown

Tormenta FC made one move in the transfer window, signing Nova Southeastern University defender Curtis Thorn, who has started three games for the club. In his first start, he had 1 goal and 1 assist while also winning player of the month for Tormenta FC in September.  

The team is coached by Ian Cameron who has been with the club since the 2019 season. Ian is from Glasgow, Scotland and was previously coaching Eckerd College. He was also an assistant coach for Mercer University Men’s Soccer when they won the Southern Conference Championship for the first time. 

You can view Tormenta FC’s roster here.

Team Form

In the last 5 games, Tormenta FC has 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. In their previous match, they lost 3-0 to Union Omaha at home. For home games, the South Georgia side is 1-2-3 with the only home win coming against Orlando City B back in August. Tormenta FC is currently 10th in the table with a record of 3-4-5 and a goal difference of -6.

Head to Head 

This is the first time the Men in Black will take on Tormenta FC this season. The last time they played was in April of 2019 when Tormenta beat the Men in Black 3-1.

Players To Look Out For 

In the attack get ready to see a lot of #7 Luca Mayr coming up from the midfield. Luca has appeared and started in all 12 games while leading the club in goals this season with 3, putting him tied 9th in USL League One play. He also has 1 assist with 13 chances created in those 12 starts. Luca leads his club in shots with 25 which is tied 5th most in USL L1. 

For the midfield, #10 Marco Micaletto has been on par with Luca Mayr. Marco is tied second in goals for the club with 2 while starting all 12 games. He is also tied for assist leader with 2 and is trailing only Luca for shots with 25. Marco not only leads the team but also USL League One with 30 chances created for his side. 

In defense, #5 Josh Phelps has been solid in all 9 starts this season. He leads the time in clearance with 50 which is 4th best in USL L1 play. Josh also leads the team; in blocks with 10, interceptions with 19, and is second in air duels won with 24. 

In goal for Tormenta FC, #1 Pablo Jara is yet to leave the net with 12 starts and 1,080 minutes played. He has 36 saves which is third in USL League One play while only conceding 19 goals. Pablo also has 2 clean sheets which place him tied 7th along with Tucson’s finest Amal Knight in USL L1 play. 

Fun Fact 

Tormenta FC is currently playing at Georgia Southern University’s Erk Russell Park while their new stadium is being built. 

 

Kick-off is set for 4 pm PST. Watch party at Maracana Sports Arena.

Despite having a majority of the possession on Saturday night, FC Tucson struggled to find the target but still managed to eke out a 0-0 draw against Forward Madison FC at Hart Park in Wauwatosa, Wis.

The Men In Black picked up their first away point against Forward Madison. It was only the third time that FC Tucson played to a 0-0 result in its USL League One history.

FC Tucson (4-6-3, 15 points) won the possession battle, holding the ball 57.9% of the time, but could manage just four shots in the 90 minutes. Forward Madison (4-4-3, 15 points) had 19 shots, including the only shot on target for either team.

Late in the match, FC Tucson goalkeeper Amal Knight made the only save of the match when he went to the ground to smother Don Smart’s shot.

FC Tucson will travel to Statesboro, Georgia, to face South Georgia Tormenta FC on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Kickoff at Erk Russell Park is set for 4 p.m., Tucson time.

The Rundown

Forward Madison FC didn’t make many new signings for this season. However, they did extend the loan of three players from Chicago Fire in MLS: Chris Brady (goalkeeper), Alex Monis (right-winger), and Allan Rodriguez (defensive midfielder). 

The team is coached by Daryl Shore, who has 27 years of coaching experience including 15 seasons as an assistant coach in the MLS with Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake. Shore has been with the club for two years.  

You can view Forward Madison Fc’s roster here.

Team Form

Forward Madison FC won their previous game 1-0 over Chattanooga Red Wolves SC at Hart Park. The Flamingos are undefeated at home with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 0 losses. In the last 5 games, they have a record of 3-0-2. Forward Madison FC are currently 5th on the table with a record of 4-2-4 and a goal difference of +6.

Head to Head 

On September 23 the Men in Black defeated Forward Madison FC 2-1 at Kino North Stadium with goals from Elivelton and a game-winning, wonder goal from winger Josh Coan.

Players To Look Out For 

In attack for Forward Madison FC, Wojciech Wójcik #9 is tied for leading goal scorer of the Flamingos with 3 goals in 10 appearances. This puts him tied for 6th on the goals list in USL League One. 

In the midfield, Micheal Vang #8 has been the key man with 2 assists in just 7 appearances. The 20-year-old from Saint Paul, MN also has 3 goals, tying him with Wojciech Wojcik for leading goal scorer of the Flamingos. Vang has 12 chances created in those 7 games and leads their team with an 89.2% passing accuracy and the highest passing accuracy in their own half with 96.4%. 

For defense Christian Diaz #27 has been the go-to man in the back. He has started all 10 games for Madison and has the most minutes played at 839. Diaz leads the team in interceptions with 27 and leads defenders with 12 tackles. 

In goal, the Austrian Philipp Marceta #1 leads the team with 18 saves on 26 shots in 8 appearances. This puts him tied 10th in USL L1 league play for saves. Marceta also has 3 clean sheets in those 8 games which puts him tied 2nd in the league.

Fun Fact 

In 2019 the Flamingos were the only professional soccer team to have a cow at practice for good luck before a game, which they went on to win.

Saturday’s match against Forward Madison FC in Wauwatosa, Wis., will be the 17th game FC Tucson has played east of the Mississippi River.

* FC Tucson had never played a match east of Mississippi before last season when it began playing in the USL League One. Eight of its league opponents play on that side of the United States.

* The Men In Black five wins, eight losses and three draws in those matches.

* Azaad Liadi has three goals and Shak Adams has two for FC Tucson in matches east of the Mississippi River this season. Former Man In Black Kyle Venter had four goals for the club east of the Mississippi last season.

 

TUCSON, AZ. –  FC Tucson goalkeeper Amal Knight has been named to the USL League One Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 11 of the 2020 regular season, the league announced today. Knight recorded 11 saves across two games for Tucson, including a nine-save performance in the club’s 2-1 victory against Forward Madison FC last Wednesday night and a penalty save in this past Saturday’s match against Fort Lauderdale CF.

Knight, a Jamaican Senior Men’s National Team member, has 25 saves on the season, making him the 6th highest on the USL League One saves leaderboard. The Jamaican has an 80 percent save success rate in six games played.

FC Tucson will be back in action this Saturday, October 3rd as the club heads to Wisconsin to face Forward Madison FC.