
FC Tucson erased a 1-0 deficit with a goal in the first 40 seconds of the second half to salvage a 1-1 draw with Forward Madison on Fan Appreciation NIght presented by Pueblo Vida Brewery on Saturday night at Kino North Stadium.
Midfielder Joao Delgado scored for the first time this season when he easily guided in the ball after Madison keeper Raiko Arozarena came out to punch the ball and was involved in a clash of players. The ball found its way to Delgado who made the most of his opportunity in the first minute of the second half.
Joao with the POKE and we’re even. Right place, perfect time.
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) October 16, 2022
And we’re back level.#fuerzatucson 🌵 | #TUCvMAD pic.twitter.com/1zwH7lG9Tt
Forward Madison took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute on a counter attack after Arozarena made a diving stop on an Tyler Allen shot that was headed into the low corner.
RELATED: MATCH CENTER
With both teams trying to break the deadlock in the final 30 minutes, Madison (7-11-12, 33 points) threatened when Justin Sukow hit the post with a rocket shot. Allen curled in a shot that went just wide in one of many chances for Tucson, which finished with a 5-2 advantage in shots on target. Madison also cleared a Tevin Shaw rocket off the goal line in the 73rd minute.
QUOTES
- “Obviously, we wanted to win. I think sending the fans home with three points, jumping to ninth place would have been beneficial, but I can’t thank the fans enough for the support we’ve had throughout the whole year. The team has really enjoyed the atmosphere and energy that you guys have given us.” – FC Tucson captain Kaelon Fox.
- “It just speaks so much to the Tucson community, where we’ve come soccer-wise, to come out to a game that doesn’t really have value in the standings but they wanted to see these guys. The frustration we had with so many games without fans, and how great and electric the fans were all night in celebrating the guys.” – FC Tucson head coach Jon Pearlman
FC Tucson finished the season in 10th at 8-14-8 (32 points). In the final nine matches of 2022, Tucson had four wins and three draws.
Honored to have @ussoccer legend & Tucson resident Hank Steinbrecher in our hospitality tent tonight.#fuerzatucson 🌵 | @soccerhof pic.twitter.com/6wMXlZmsa2
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) October 16, 2022