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Jon Pearlman's first match back at the helm of FC Tucson will feature a familiar foe: Fort Lauderdale CF.

Tucson played the reserve club for Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF in May, falling 5-1 in the trip to Florida.

The USL League One rematch is set for Saturday at Kino North Stadium (7 p.m., ESPN+) as the club celebrates Salute To The Troops. The game will be followed by a fireworks show.

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The game will be Pearlman's first after stepping as interim head coach. FC Tucson's Vice President of Soccer Operations, Pearlman served as head coach of FC Tucson, going 18-7-3 in 2016-17.

"We feel great going into Saturday," said Pearlman. "We've got some players back. Really got to give credit to Coach (Mark) Biagi, Coach (Vito) Higgins, helping us settle into today's work.

"We're addressing a lot of things we think will be keys to us in the Fort Lauderdale matchup."

Jon Pearlman’s first match back at the helm of FC Tucson will feature a familiar foe: Fort Lauderdale CF.

Tucson played the reserve club for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF in May, falling 5-1 in the trip to Florida.

The USL League One rematch is set for Saturday at Kino North Stadium (7 p.m., ESPN+) as the club celebrates Salute To The Troops. The game will be followed by a fireworks show.

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The game will be Pearlman’s first after stepping as interim head coach. FC Tucson’s Vice President of Soccer Operations, Pearlman served as head coach of FC Tucson, going 18-7-3 in 2016-17.

“We feel great going into Saturday,” said Pearlman. “We’ve got some players back. Really got to give credit to Coach (Mark) Biagi, Coach (Vito) Higgins, helping us settle into today’s work.

“We’re addressing a lot of things we think will be keys to us in the Fort Lauderdale matchup.”

Tucson will see the return of Noah Franke and Gio Calixtro. The pair sat out the 1-0 loss to Union Omaha last weekend after picking up red cards in the previous week against North Texas SC.

Gio Calixtro is tied for second in the league with three assists, while goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley leads the league with 38 saves.

Fort Lauderdale sits fourth in the league at 5-6-2, having played a league-high 13 matches. The team is coming off three straight matches with Toronto FC II, having gone 1-1-1 in the stretch against the MLS reserve club.

MATCH CENTER: FC Tucson vs. Ft Lauderdale FC

Fort Lauderdale also leads USL League One with 20 goals and is second with a 16% conversion rate, and 5,455 passes – 565 more than the second highest club.

Shaan Hundal is third in the league with five goals, while Venton Evans has four. George Acosta leads the league with six assists and is tied for first with 26 chances created. Acosta had a goal and two assists in the May 16 match against Tucson, including assisting on Abel Caputo's goal just two minutes into the game.

On the defense, Luis Zamudio is fifth in the league with 20 saves.

Tucson will see the return of Noah Franke and Gio Calixtro. The pair sat out the 1-0 loss to Union Omaha last weekend after picking up red cards in the previous week against North Texas SC.

Gio Calixtro is tied for second in the league with three assists, while goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley leads the league with 38 saves.

Fort Lauderdale sits fourth in the league at 5-6-2, having played a league-high 13 matches. The team is coming off three straight matches with Toronto FC II, having gone 1-1-1 in the stretch against the MLS reserve club.

MATCH CENTER: FC Tucson vs. Ft Lauderdale FC

Fort Lauderdale also leads USL League One with 20 goals and is second with a 16% conversion rate, and 5,455 passes – 565 more than the second highest club.

Shaan Hundal is third in the league with five goals, while Venton Evans has four. George Acosta leads the league with six assists and is tied for first with 26 chances created. Acosta had a goal and two assists in the May 16 match against Tucson, including assisting on Abel Caputo’s goal just two minutes into the game.

On the defense, Luis Zamudio is fifth in the league with 20 saves.

TUCSON, Ariz. (June 29, 2021) – FC Tucson and head coach John Galas announced today they have mutually agreed to part ways. Jon Pearlman, Vice President of Soccer Operations, will take over as the interim head coach effective immediately.

“The FC Tucson organization would like to thank John Galas for his dedication and commitment to this club,” said Amanda Powers, president of FC Tucson. “John persevered with us through a very challenging season last year as we all navigated the COVID-19 pandemic together, and his contributions to FC Tucson are greatly appreciated.”

Pearlman will guide FC Tucson for the foreseeable future, and the club will immediately begin its coaching search.

Pearlman previously served as head coach of FC Tucson, going 18-7-3 in 2016-17. He returned to FC Tucson in 2019 as director of soccer operations. He has more than 25 years of coaching experience – including 23 in Tucson – and has his USSF “A“ License.

FC Tucson will host Salute Our Troops Night against Fort Lauderdale CF on Saturday (7 p.m., Kino North Stadium).

TUCSON, Ariz. (June 29, 2021) – FC Tucson and head coach John Galas announced today they have mutually agreed to part ways. Jon Pearlman, Vice President of Soccer Operations, will take over as the interim head coach effective immediately.

“The FC Tucson organization would like to thank John Galas for his dedication and commitment to this club,” said Amanda Powers, president of FC Tucson. “John persevered with us through a very challenging season last year as we all navigated the COVID-19 pandemic together, and his contributions to FC Tucson are greatly appreciated.”

Pearlman will guide FC Tucson for the foreseeable future, and the club will immediately begin its coaching search.

Pearlman previously served as head coach of FC Tucson, going 18-7-3 in 2016-17. He returned to FC Tucson in 2019 as director of soccer operations. He has more than 25 years of coaching experience – including 23 in Tucson – and has his USSF “A“ License.

FC Tucson will host Salute Our Troops Night against Fort Lauderdale CF on Saturday (7 p.m., Kino North Stadium).

After a hard fought 0-0 draw at North Texas SC last week, FC Tucson went back out on the road Saturday night.

This time it was USL League One leader Union Omaha, and although Tucson goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley made five saves, the club fell 1-0.

RELATED: Union Omaha vs. FC Tucson Match Center

The loss dropped FC Tucson to 2-4-3 (9 points), while Union Omaha improved to 6-1-3 (21 points).

After a hard fought 0-0 draw at North Texas SC last week, FC Tucson went back out on the road Saturday night.

This time it was USL League One leader Union Omaha, and although Tucson goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley made five saves, the club fell 1-0.

RELATED: Union Omaha vs. FC Tucson Match Center

The loss dropped FC Tucson to 2-4-3 (9 points), while Union Omaha improved to 6-1-3 (21 points).

Greg Hurst accounted for the game's only goal on a header off a cross from Ferrety Sousa. It was Hurst's sixth goal of the season.

Tucson held 55.7% of the possession and both teams had 12 shots. But Union Omaha had six shots on target to FC Tucson's one, and the latter was stymied in finding the equalizer over the final final 80 minutes.

Greg Hurst accounted for the game’s only goal on a header off a cross from Ferrety Sousa. It was Hurst’s sixth goal of the season.

Tucson held 55.7% of the possession and both teams had 12 shots. But Union Omaha had six shots on target to FC Tucson’s one, and the latter was stymied in finding the equalizer over the final final 80 minutes.

FC Tucson will return home Saturday against Fort Lauderdale CF (7 p.m.) for Salute To The Troops night. The game will be followed by a fireworks show. 

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FC Tucson will return home Saturday against Fort Lauderdale CF (7 p.m.) for Salute To The Troops night. The game will be followed by a fireworks show. 

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FC Tucson heads back out on the road, this time with a trip to Nebraska to face USL League One leaders, Union Omaha.

The club is coming off a hard fought 0-0 tie at North Texas SC. A pair of red cards in that match to Noah Franke and Gio Calixtro will leave them off the roster for Saturday's match (5 p.m. / ESPN+).

MATCH CENTER: Union Omaha vs. FC Tucson

Wallis Lapsley made five saves in the shutout, earning USL League One Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio honors. His stop on a penalty kick in the first half was a finalist for Save of the Week.

"I think the spirit is really good within the group," said Lapsley. "Professional sports is always a next man up opportunity.

"The mindset for the team is to go out and try to win, whether we're playing a team at the top of the table or the bottom of the table. That doesn't really matter to us. Our goal is three points, always."

FC Tucson heads back out on the road, this time with a trip to Nebraska to face USL League One leaders, Union Omaha.

The club is coming off a hard fought 0-0 tie at North Texas SC. A pair of red cards in that match to Noah Franke and Gio Calixtro will leave them off the roster for Saturday’s match (5 p.m. / ESPN+).

MATCH CENTER: Union Omaha vs. FC Tucson

Wallis Lapsley made five saves in the shutout, earning USL League One Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio honors. His stop on a penalty kick in the first half was a finalist for Save of the Week.

“I think the spirit is really good within the group,” said Lapsley. “Professional sports is always a next man up opportunity.

“The mindset for the team is to go out and try to win, whether we’re playing a team at the top of the table or the bottom of the table. That doesn’t really matter to us. Our goal is three points, always.”

FC Tucson has a goal conversion rate of 17% and is ranked first in USL League One. The club is also first in the league with an 85% passing accuracy.

Lapsley also leads the league with 33 saves, and had his first shutout of the season against North Texas.

"It's great to get a clean sheet," said Lapsley. "It's indicative of everybody working hard together."

FC Tucson has a goal conversion rate of 17% and is ranked first in USL League One. The club is also first in the league with an 85% passing accuracy.

Lapsley also leads the league with 33 saves, and had his first shutout of the season against North Texas.

“It’s great to get a clean sheet,” said Lapsley. “It’s indicative of everybody working hard together.”

Union Omaha is 5-1-3 overall and 2-0 at home in Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska.

Greg Hurst leads Omaha with five goals – tied for second in the league – while Evan Conway has a pair. Rashid Nuhu is sixth in the league with 18 saves but has three shutouts.

FC Tucson will play Union Omaha three more times: July 24 and Aug. 14 at home, and at Omaha on Sept. 25.

2021 FC Tucson Schedule

Union Omaha is 5-1-3 overall and 2-0 at home in Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska.

Greg Hurst leads Omaha with five goals – tied for second in the league – while Evan Conway has a pair. Rashid Nuhu is sixth in the league with 18 saves but has three shutouts.

FC Tucson will play Union Omaha three more times: July 24 and Aug. 14 at home, and at Omaha on Sept. 25.

2021 FC Tucson Schedule

FC Tucson’s new Cox Community Corner Initiative has already had some wonderful success reaching the youth in Tucson. 

On June 5, several students from Envision and Toltecalli High School — members of Chicanos por la Causa (CPLC) Community Schools – were treated to a special game-day experience prior to our match against Toronto FC II.

The students are given free transportation and arrive in style to the match, compliments of Top Shelf Transportation. Each student and a guest were greeted at the entrance and led to a shady picnic area where they were joined by FC Tucson President Amanda Powers. They were served a healthy meal by Robb Walker from AZ Fit Kitchen, who talked to them about the importance of proper (but delicious!) nutrition.

During their meal, this group — which was, coincidentally, composed entirely of young women — heard Amanda’s inspiring personal journey that led her to become the second woman in U.S. soccer history to serve as a President of a men’s professional team. The guests also met several players from the FC Tucson women’s team.
 
On June 12, which as FC Tucson’s Pride Night Celebration, the club hosted four different families from Families Transformed of Southern Arizona, which strives “to create and support a network of families embracing their children’s gender non-conformity in a kind and loving manner.”

These families also enjoyed an excellent meal and a visit from Robb before the game, and afterward were escorted to their pitch-side seats by Powers.

These kids were great soccer fans: not afraid to cheer boisterously for their team, or let the refs know when they disagreed with a call! They kept the Cox Community Corner lively and loud all night long, waving their Pride flags and cheering on the team.
 
Just two games in and we are already feeling the love generated from this initiative, creating new fans of the Beautiful Game in general, and FC Tucson in particular.

We are looking forward to continuing this inspiring program, and to filling the Cox Community Corner with future fans.

To quote one of our participating chaperones: “You had this idea of having these kids come to a game for over a year ago. Well, your idea came to fruition last night and will continue in these young hearts forever.”

FC Tucson’s new Cox Community Corner Initiative has already had some wonderful success reaching the youth in Tucson. 

On June 5, several students from Envision and Toltecalli High School — members of Chicanos por la Causa (CPLC) Community Schools – were treated to a special game-day experience prior to our match against Toronto FC II.

The students are given free transportation and arrive in style to the match, compliments of Top Shelf Transportation. Each student and a guest were greeted at the entrance and led to a shady picnic area where they were joined by FC Tucson President Amanda Powers. They were served a healthy meal by Robb Walker from AZ Fit Kitchen, who talked to them about the importance of proper (but delicious!) nutrition.

During their meal, this group — which was, coincidentally, composed entirely of young women — heard Amanda’s inspiring personal journey that led her to become the second woman in U.S. soccer history to serve as a President of a men’s professional team. The guests also met several players from the FC Tucson women’s team.
 
On June 12, which as FC Tucson’s Pride Night Celebration, the club hosted four different families from Families Transformed of Southern Arizona, which strives “to create and support a network of families embracing their children’s gender non-conformity in a kind and loving manner.”

These families also enjoyed an excellent meal and a visit from Robb before the game, and afterward were escorted to their pitch-side seats by Powers.

These kids were great soccer fans: not afraid to cheer boisterously for their team, or let the refs know when they disagreed with a call! They kept the Cox Community Corner lively and loud all night long, waving their Pride flags and cheering on the team.
 
Just two games in and we are already feeling the love generated from this initiative, creating new fans of the Beautiful Game in general, and FC Tucson in particular.

We are looking forward to continuing this inspiring program, and to filling the Cox Community Corner with future fans.

To quote one of our participating chaperones: “You had this idea of having these kids come to a game for over a year ago. Well, your idea came to fruition last night and will continue in these young hearts forever.”