FC Tucson fought back with a second-half goal to move within minutes of earning a draw on the road against the defending USL League One champions, Union Omaha, before a defensive lapse sent the club home in defeat.
Tucson dropped a tough 2-1 decision Saturday evening at Werner Park.
Jake Crull delivered a textbook header off Louis Perez’ corner kick in the 68th minute to tie the match. Crull had played on Union Omaha’s 2021 championship team.
🅲🆁🆄🅻🅻 ‼️‼️#fuerzatucson 🌵 | #OMAvTUC pic.twitter.com/Pj2bir0JpJ
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) July 17, 2022
The game was disrupted by 12 yellow cards and two reds. After Union Omaha took the lead in the 14th minute, FC Tucson got a man advantage in the 30th when Union Omaha had a player sent off. However, shortly a five yellows in two minutes at the opening of the second half, FC Tucson was sent back to even strength with its own red in the 61st minute.
Related: MATCH CENTER
Still, FC Tucson held 67% advantage and a 16-11 shot advantage and looked to earn at least a point against Union Omaha (4-4-2).
Unfortunately, Union Omaha capitalized on a defensive lapse in the first of eight minutes of added time steal the 2-1 win.
GOALS
- 14′ – OMA – Hugo Kametani (Kemal Malcolm)
- 68′ – TUC – Jake Crull (Louis Perez)
- 90+1′ – OMA – Alex Bruce
QUOTES
- “We continue to stress about key decision making in key moments; managing matches and how the match changes really quickly, and what’s required in those moments. We had the courage to get that (equalizing goal). They’ve got to know when a point is good and what’s required to see that out.” – FC Tucson Head Coach Jon Pearlman
- “This is a great group of guys, and we’re a little snake bitten. We’re leaving a point – sometimes three points – on the table. It’s incredibly frustrating, but we win and we lose as a team. USL League One is tight and we’ll keep on fighting.” – FC Tucson Head Coach Jon Pearlman
FC Tucson returns home for back-to-back home games against North Carolina opponents. The club will play USL League One newcomer Charlotte Independence on Saturday, July 23 at 7 p.m. (BUY TICKETS), before hosting North Carolina FC on Saturday, July 30 at 7 p.m. (BUY TICKETS).
