FC Tucson weathered a two-hour lightning delay, only to give up a quick strike from Christopher Hegardt in dropping a tough 3-2 USL League One decision to Charlotte Independence Saturday night at Kino North Stadium.
Donny Toia and Kaelon Fox scored for FC Tucson in the first half to erase a 1-0 deficit and build a 2-1 lead.
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Toia headed home a cross whipped in by Tyler Allen in the 11th minute. It was the third goal in four matches for the Tucson native and former Major League Soccer standout.
Donny Toia coming through.
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) July 24, 2022
The hometown kid just can't stop scoring!#fuerzatucson 🌵 | #tucvclt pic.twitter.com/gHWZNfnCTO
FC Tucson added a second goal just eight minutes later when Fox headed home a corner from Louis Perez.
NOVA Home Loans Sunrise Branch Corner Kick = GOOOOOOAAAALLLL!
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) July 24, 2022
Kaelon Fox. All 6 foot 3 of him. The captain.
The lead. 2-1.#fuerzatucson 🌵 | #TUCvCLT pic.twitter.com/YgPJnPvjeW
Charlotte opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a goal by Omar Ciss. After FC Tucson nearly went up 3-1 on a laser by Daniel Bedoya, Charlotte found the equalizer from Tresor Mbuyu before halftime.
The teams battled for the first 35 minutes of the second half to a draw before weather interrupted the match.
After a two-hour lightning delay, the teams returned to the field to restart the match in the 81st minute. Two minutes later, Hegardt delivered the game winner.
FC Tucson pressed for a third goal, but had a final chance from Tevin Shaw glance off the goalpost.
FC Tucson (3-9-4) will take the Kino North Stadium field again on Saturday, July 30, when it takes on North Carolina FC (5-8-3). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (BUY TICKETS)
