Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

FC Tucson

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Cal United’s stoppage time winner finishes comeback over FC Tucson

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Omar Nuno of California United Strikers scores a goal against FC Tucson in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Cal United Strikers
Omar Nuno of California United Strikers scores a goal against FC Tucson in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Cal United Strikers

The California United Strikers stopped FC Tucson from making club history with a 2-1 comeback win after a stoppage time goal to avoid overtime and advance to the next round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

In his debut for Cal United, Ryotaro Kawashima made his presence known and scored what would end up being the game winner. Both of Cal United’s goals came in the second half.

National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) side Cal United got things started in the match and quickly ripped two shots off but was unable to get them past FC Tucson keeper Carlos Merancio. FC Tucson responded and made their way down the field into Cal United’s defensive third.

In the 17th minute, midfielder Burke Fahling settled the ball and made a quick touch pass to Gio Calixtro who worked his way around two defenders and shot the ball between them from outside the box to give FC Tucson a 1-0 lead.

Cal United threatened to score, winning possession in the first half but was unable to convert any attempts, taking six shots with only two being on goal. They were able to keep the game within reach by not allowing another goal and heading into halftime down 1-0.

“We were disappointed at halftime. I thought we played a really good 35 minutes in the first half, we gave up what we thought was a pretty soft goal. And the guys were a little down, I ain’t gonna lie to you, at halftime. It was frustrating,” Cal United head coach Don Ebert said.

In the second half things fell apart for FC Tucson after their strong start. To open the second half they were aggressive, getting shots off early but were not able to score and struggled near and inside the box only getting two more shots on goal.

Cal United continued to fight and were rewarded for the effort late in the 71st minute. Defender Brady Treinen got possession of the ball near the FC Tucson goal and passed the ball all the way down the field where leading scorer Omar Nuño settled it and slotted the ball past Merancio on the opposite side of the goal to equalize the game at 1-1.

“We haven’t been scoring a lot of goals. So that weighs on you … Omar, when he turned and scored that I could see a whole different team,” Ebert said.

The game remained tied heading into stoppage time after an FC Tucson shot went out past the left side of the goalpost in the 84th minute after it seeming like they had found the goal they were looking for.

Every sign was pointing to the game going into overtime as there were only three minutes of stoppage time added. That all changed with Kawashima who was making his first appearance with Cal United. Kawashima grabbed the loose ball from a cross, took a dribble and shot it past a defender and the goalkeeper to take the lead in the 92nd minute. That goal would seal the game for the Strikers to complete the comeback performance.

“That kid just joined us and for him to make his first start, that was his first game with us after a couple of weeks of training so for him to get that goal, proud of him. They’re happy group right now for sure,” Ebert said.

Cal United now advances to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup, becoming the only NISA team to advance to the round of 32.

“I see a much different team than I saw three weeks ago, where I just told the guys we’re about 70% as far as our overall team speed, fitness, ability to press, counter press, play 90 minutes, but we’re getting there. And listen, there’s nothing like winning, my jobs a lot easier when those guys have confidence and they’re happy,” Ebert said.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: FC Tucson earns first win as pro team, 3-2 over Las Vegas Lights

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Tyler Allen FC Tucson Las Vegas Lights 2022 US Open Cup
Tyler Allen scores what would prove to be the game-winning goal for FC Tucson in a 3-2 win over the Las Vegas Lights in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: FC Tucson

USL League One side FC Tucson beat USL Championship team Las Vegas Lights 3-2. All but one goal was scored in the second half in the match at Tucson’s Kino North Stadium.

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For FC Tucson, they were making their first appearance in the tournament as a professional team after previously qualifying five times (and eliminating two pro teams) as a member of USL League Two. It was the club’s first Open Cup win since 2018.

Las Vegas’ offensive trio of Daniel Trejo, Danny Musovsky and Cal Jennings were left off the starting roster. FC Tucson’s Kaelon Fox and Deri Corfe were out with injuries.

Los Tucsonenses had the lion’s share of possession, but Las Vegas kept them hemmed in. FC Tucson keeper Carlos Merancio had a couple of big saves that helped keep the teams level at zero goals until the final moments of the first half.

In minute 45, FC Tucson’s Daniel Bedoya launched a corner kick into the box that eventually found the head of Luca Mastrantonio. He settled the ball at the foot of Austrian-born winger Jacob Crull. He poked it past Lights keeper Abraham Romero to open the scoring as the first half ended.

Mohammed Traore evened it up for Las Vegas in minute 66. The lead was short lived as FC Tucson kept threatening goal and earning corner kicks with, it seemed, every sally up field. Daniel Bedoya’s 71st minute corner was a near Olimpico, as his kick ended up in the back of the net after the otherwise strong Romero bobbled the ball.

Tyler Adams extended the lead in the 77th minute with an oblique rocket that ended up at the top of the goal. It should have locked the game down right there, but with Traore on the field and a late substitution by league leading scorer Daniel Trejo, two goals wasn’t necessarily a safe lead.

An 80th minute shot from Daniel Christomo caught Merancio off guard with a bit of marksmanship from the edge of the box. Tying it up was tantalizingly close, but the Lights weren’t able to do it.

Often a lower division will score a lucky goal against an upper division team and sit on the lead to earn a “cupset.” That wasn’t the way FC Tucson chose to play.

“We never really had the mindset to sit back and absorb pressure,” said Jacob Crull after the match. “Not having that mindset allowed us to score three goals.”

FC Tucson moves on to the next round and will possibly face Phoenix Rising FC, who owned the team from 2017-2021. The draw will be announced on Friday at Noon ET.

2018 US Open Cup Round 2: Las Vegas Lights win USOC debut, 4-2 over upset-minded FC Tucson

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The Las Vegas Lights and their llamas pose for a team photo before their 2018 US Open Cup match against FC Tucson. Photo: L.E. Baskow | Las Vegas Lights
The Las Vegas Lights and their llamas pose for a team photo before their 2018 US Open Cup match against FC Tucson. Photo: L.E. Baskow | Las Vegas Lights

Las Vegas Lights FC jumped ahead early and rallied in the second half to win their US Open Cup Second Round fixture against FC Tucson.

In front of a nearly sold-out crowd, Matt Thomas opened the action for Lights FC at UNLV’s Peter Johann Field. The speedy winger blazed up the left side before firing a low cross into the box. Sammy Ochoa attracted the defense and Carlos Alvarez buried the chance. Thomas and Zak Drake provided danger all night, running at defenders from their positions on the wing.

Not long after, Alvarez would again play a part in a Vegas goal. His corner kick was met by Marcelo Alatorre and the veteran defender’s header found the back of the net.

The PDL’s FC Tucson would not turn over despite the deficit. Jason Romero took advantage of a quick counter-attack opportunity and pulled a goal back for the visitors. Right before the break, Tucson would have a strike bounce off the post, nearly a brilliant equalizer.

The Las Vegas Lights celebrate a goal against FC Tucson in the Second Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: L.E. Baskow | Las Vegas Lights
The Las Vegas Lights celebrate a goal against FC Tucson in the Second Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: L.E. Baskow | Las Vegas Lights

They would find a tying goal after the halftime. This time, Romero set up Adrian Valenzuela for a score.

Unfortunately for the underdogs, the house would win. Sammy Ochoa headed home his first-ever goal for the Lights. FC Tucson nearly leveled things immediately, but Las Vegas’ goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino stopped a breakaway chance. Ochoa added another goal, tapping the ball past the keeper at the far post.

In a rare play later on, Las Vegas’ goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino took a free kick from just outside the penalty area. His curling effort struck the crossbar and he hustled all the way back to his goal before any damage was done.

The final scoreline was 4-2 in favor of the USL side. With the win, Lights FC join Reno 1868 FC (who won earlier that same evening) as the first Nevada-based clubs to win US Open Cup games in Modern Era. Last year, two Nevada teams (Anahuac FC, Reno 1868 FC) advanced via penalty kicks, which is officially listed as a draw. The Lights move on to take on PDL side FC Golden State Force next week in the US Open Cup Third Round.

2017 US Open Cup Round 2: Colorado Springs Switchbacks surge in second half to topple FC Tucson

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Colorado Springs SwitchbacksThe Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC defeated FC Tucson 2-0 in the Second Round of the US Open Cup on a brisk spring night at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs before a crowd of 1,472.

Switchbacks FC knew heading into their match that they had their work cut out for them. Coming
off a road defeat in USL league play the past weekend to Vancouver Whitecaps 2, and heading into a crucial road match up against Salt Lake City this weekend, Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh knew that he would have some heavy legs on his team, and needed to rest some crucial starters. As expected, a lot of bench players saw game action, which could account for the slow start to the game, as each team tried to figure out where the other stood. Most notable of the changes was Switchbacks defender Sean McFarlane starting at center forward, who played remarkably well despite being lined up drastically out of position. While both sides took venturing stabs into the offensive third, neither side found themselves in any real danger. At the half the two teams went to the locker room knotted up 0-0.

The Switchbacks came out aggressively to start the second half and were immediately rewarded when Jun-Gyeong Park found the back of the net in the 46th minute. Fans barely had time to sit down after celebrating as Diego Gutierrez connected with Kevaughn Frater in the 48th minute to put the home side up 2-0.

“We came out running tonight. The offensive played well, and tonight we really played for each other,” Frater said.

FC Tucson didn’t cave however, as they quickly regrouped and continually applied pressure throughout the second half, including some near misses from Nico Salabarrieta, and Nic Harguindeguy late. Colorado Springs had several opportunities in transition as well, the best being a Jack Jones curler that was deftly parried by FC Tucson keeper Luis Barraza. In the end, FC Tucson could not solve the Switchbacks defense and Switchbacks keeper Dan “Stonewall” Jackson earned the first shutout of his pro career.

“FC Tucson brought a good fight,” former FC Tucson player and current Switchbacks defender Conner Bevans said. “We got off to a fast start in the second half and really took control.”

Added Trittschuh: “It was a good chance for guys who haven’t been playing to get some minutes and rest some of our regular starters. Now it’s onto the next round.”

The Switchbacks win means they will face Oklahoma City Energy FC in the Third Round on May 31 at Weidner Field. The two teams met earlier in league play at Weidner Field, a game that ended in a 1-1 tie.

FC Tucson starting XI; Barraza, Krutzen, Vasquez, Pineda, Hinkson, Perez, Polster, Berumen, Pinheiro, Solabarrieta, Schmitt. (SUB Harguinday 58”, Musovski 58”)

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC starting XI; Jackson, Bevans, Eboussi, Gutierrez, Suggs, Prugh, Kim, Park, Cawsey, Frater, McFarlane. (SUB Jones 62”, King 67”, Argueta 78”)

2017 US Open Cup Round 1: Wild final 10 minutes sends FC Tucson to next round

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FC Tucson logo PDLLate game heroics were the highlight of Wednesday night’s 2017 US Open Cup First Round matchup between FC Tucson and the Colorado Rush.

FC Tucson defeated Colorado 3-1 at Kino North Stadium after scoring the go-ahead goal in the 89th minute and adding another goal in stoppage time in what was a thrilling final 10 minutes of play.

Forward Wedner Delmonte received a clearance near midfield in the 89th minute and used a quick dribble move to get by the lone Colorado defender in his path and ignite the FC Tucson counter attack.

Delmonte spotted midfielder Moshe Perez on the left wing and his pass put Perez in a one-on-one situation with Colorado Rush goalkeeper Shailer Thomas. Perez took a few dribbles before sliding in a curled shot into the bottom right of the net past the outstretched arms of Thomas to give the home team a 2-1 lead heading into stoppage time.

“I was like ‘I’ve got to make that run with Delmonte’ and I knew he was going to play it,” Perez said. “It was two minutes from the end and I had to finish it… and I’m just glad we won.”

Referees signaled six minutes of stoppage time, giving Colorado plenty of time to mount an attack for the equalizing goal.

However, it didn’t play out exactly as the Rush would’ve liked it.

Thomas was called forward to act as an extra attacker during back-to-back corners about four minutes into extra time, leaving an empty net for FC Tucson.

A quick clearance off the second of the two corners left the Rush exposed, as FC Tucson midfielder Afonso Pinheiro made his way up the left flank unhindered and slotted in the empty net goal to give the team a commanding 3-1 lead.

Despite an action-packed ending, the majority of Wednesday’s game saw both teams struggle to maintain possession and flounder when a scoring opportunity opened up.

FC Tucson opened up scoring with a headed goal from defender Gio Vasquez in the third minute of play off a corner kick in the left corner from midfielder Tate Schmitt.

Vasquez received the curled corner at the back post and drove the header across goal to the near post for the opening goal, fooling Thomas in the process.

Colorado would answer back just four minutes later when forward Daniel Wooliscroft found himself in a golden situation in front of goal.

The FC Tucson backline failed to clear a shot from a Colorado attacker and Wooliscroft curled the equalizer into the bottom right pocket of the net on the volley past the outstretched arms of FC Tucson goalkeeper Lucas Valillo.

While FC Tucson came away with the win and advanced to the second round of USOC play, it did not come without controversy.

First year FC Tucson coach Jon Pearlman and one of his assistants were ejected in the 52nd minute after arguing with fourth official Michael Chaison. Pearlman was upset after Delmonte was subjected to a particularly physical foul from Colorado defender Brad Gorham moments before.

Assistant coach Jose Miranda took over coaching duties for the rest of the game and joked after the game about having the highest winning percentage in team history.

“I will always have that streak as long as they don’t let me do it again and as long as Jon (Pearlman) can control himself as we go through the season.” Miranda said.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Arizona United too much for in-state amateurs from FC Tucson

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Long Tan's second goal for Arizona United against FC Tucson in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Sidney Cervantes
Long Tan’s second goal for Arizona United against FC Tucson in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Sidney Cervantes

The history of the US Open Cup is full of scrappy, amateur teams beating experienced, professional sides. We’ve seen it happen more than once this year already.

It did not, however, happen at Kino Stadium on Wednesday night, as FC Tucson fell to their northern neighbors Arizona United SC by a score of 5–0 at Tucson’s Kino Stadium.

It started off well for the hosts, said long time FC Tucson player Dom Papa.

“I thought when we came out we played well,” he said. “For the first twenty or twenty five minutes we controlled the game; we looked good in the midfield. But you know, they are big, they are fast, they play direct. I just think we weren’t ready to handle that kind of play.”

“We gave up one, and the wheels fell apart,” he added.

That “one” came in the 28th minute after a foul just outside the box set up English midfielder Luke Rooney for a free kick. He easily got it past Tucson keeper Borja Angiota.

Long Tan extended the lead for the visitors minutes later, finding the back of the net after slaloming through FC Tucson’s back line. Gibson Bardsley closed out the half with another goal for Arizona moments before the close of the half.

A fourth goal came from United’s Tyler Blackwood just minutes into the second half, but then came a spot of hope for the home team: a red card for Arizona’s Gibson Bardsley for poorly timed tackle on Tucson’s Sean Keith.

It was still hard for FC Tucson to take a shot when they got into the final third, thanks to the work of Arizona center full back Uchenna Uzo.

“There are not many players that are as big as I am on the field, and I think he’s twice my size,” said Tucson’s Papa, who the team has counted on for physical play in past years. “When you have a center back there that can destroy every attack we try to start, well, he’s a different level.”

Whatever spark that gave FC Tucson was extinguished in the 67th minute with Long Tan’s second goal. A flurry of shots from the home team in the closing moments of the match excited the crowd, but still left a zero on the board when the whistle blew.

Interestingly, FC Tucson’s defense only allowed a handful of shots. They went in and that’s what counts says United coach Frank Yallop.

“Our finishing was excellent. We were clinical when we had the chances. That’s the game,” he said after the match. “Long, Tyler Blackwood and Rooney showed their qualities today. I was proud of the whole team but I think they were pretty sharp in front of the goal.”

“We didn’t take the game for granted. We were 4-0 and got a red card and still scored another goal,” he added. “That’s a good sign for our league play.”

Arizona United is scheduled to play Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the next round, which is scheduled for June 1. The winner will play the Colorado Rapids in Round 4.

FC Tucson v Arizona United
Kino North Stadium

Scoring summary
AZU – Luke Rooney (27’)
AZU – Long Tan (33’)
AZU – Gibson Bardsley (45’+)
AZU – Tyler Blackwood (47’)
AZU – Tan (68’)

Misconduct summary
FCT – Dom Papa (27’, caution)
AZU – Gibson Bardsley (41’, caution)
FCT – Sean Keith (43’, caution)
AZU –Bardsley (54’, second caution, ejection)

FC Tucson: Borja Angoitia –Aaron Herrera (Edgar Reyna 77’), Gonnie Ben-Tal, Kyle Adams- Sean Keith, Evan Waldrep, Dom Papa, Musa Morris (Tate Schmitt 45’) – Jon Bakero, Minh Vu, Damian German (Alfonso Pinhiero 45’)

Arizona United SC: Carl Wosczcynski – Daniel Antúnez, Uchenna Uzo, Julian Ringhof, Brandon Poltronieri – Gibson Bardsley (ejected 54’), Miguel Timm (Blair Gavin 37’), Sam Garza – Luke Rooney (Duncan McCormick 58’), Long Tan, Tyler Blackwood (Tony Cascio 77’)

2016 US Open Cup Round 1: FC Tucson pull away from 10-man San Nicolas FC

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FC Tucson's Dom Papa (right) opens the scoring by sending a cross past San Nicolas goalkeeper Jose Miranda. Photo: Dulce Santamaria Vega
FC Tucson’s Dom Papa (right) opens the scoring by sending a cross past San Nicolas goalkeeper Jose Miranda. Photo: Dulce Santamaria Vega

This story also appeared in the Tucson Sentinel.

FC Tucson defeated Pomona’s San Nicolas FC on Wednesday night at Kino Stadium by a score of 3-0. The match was part of opening day of the US Open Cup, with Tucson getting the right to advance in that tournament.

It would be easy to cast the match as a youthful FC Tucson, which like many teams in their league is built on college players, against a veteran San Nicolas squad, except all three of FC Tucson’s goals came from long time players on that team.

FC Tucson quickly established themselves in San Nicolas’s half of the field and earned a free kick in just outside of the box. Minh Vu, a former Rochester Rhinos player and local standout, sent the ball through the box where it seemed to travel by every player that tried to get a touch on it. It finally got to Dom Papa, who goes back to FC Tucson’s first match in 2011, just past the far post. Papa rocketed it into the net to give the local team their first goal.

San Nicolas made a good effort to exploit the inexperience of the FC Tucson back line, but was able to generate few shots. Their first quality chance came in minute 22 when Cesar Rivera, a former player for Orange County Blues, got taken down by Papa just outside the box. The ensuing free kick went straight to FC Tucson keeper Borja Angoitia.

A handball in the box in minute 31 granted FC Tucson their next goal as well as two yellow cards for San Nicolas, both for dissent. Vu took the shot which easily sailed past San Nicolas keeper Jose Miranda.

FC Tucson’s Gordon Hall saw the wrong side of a Cruz Hernandez tackle in minute 37. The former University of Connecticut player was shown an immediate red card and the match was delayed for several minutes as Hall was treated and San Nicolas staff protested.

Despite the card, San Nicolas did a better job of getting behind FC Tucson in the final part of the first half. Rivera earned his team a free kick just outside of the area in minute 42 (this time, a now healthy Hall was the instigator), and took a shot that got bobbled by Angoitia. It took quick thinking by FC Tucson’s defense to keep the ball away from a charging Rivera for what would have been a sure goal. A subsequent attempt by Rivera that beat the keeper was ruled off side.

FC Tucson logo PDLA much more composed San Nicolas side greeted FC Tucson in the second half. Even down to ten men, they made numerous moves into FC Tucson’s final third. Still, it was FC Tucson to hit the net first in the second half. Vu scored in minute 57’ off of a service by Jon Bakero.

A strong chance for San Nicolas came in minute 70 off of a free kick earned just outside of the box. Another former Blues player, Luis Gonzalez, stepped up to take the shot. The wall did its job and San Nicolas stayed off the board.

FC Tucson had a flurry of offense in the next few minutes, with Miranda making several saves that kept the game at the respectable 3-0 level.

Erlys Garcia, one of several Cuban national team defectors playing for San Nicolas, earned a strong shot in minute 78 that went wide.

FC Tucson ended the match on top and earned their first Open Cup win since 2013. After the game, said that going in they knew that the early goal was key.

“We knew we had to come out early and put one in on them,” said Dom Papa. “Especially with veterans, they are going to know how to play. Put one in early, you can control the game.”

The team will host the second round match against Arizona United SC next Wednesday.

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FC Tucson v San Nicolas FC
Kino North Stadium

Scoring summary
FCT – Dom Papa (6′)
FCT – Minh Vu (pk 31′)
FCT – Vu (57′)

Misconduct summary
SNFC – Jose Miranda (caution 22′)
SNFC – Eduardo Barba (caution, 24′)
FCT – Dom Papa (caution, 27′)
SNFC – Erlys Garcia (caution, 31′)
SNFC – Cruz Hernandez (ejection 37′)
FCT – Musa Morris (caution, 76′)

FC Tucson: Borja Angoitia – Sean Keith, Zachariah Joens, Gordon Hall (Gonnie Ben-Tal 76′), Edgar Reyna – Musa Morris (Tate Schmitt 82′), Minh Vu, Jon Bakero (Francesco Bartolillo 88′), Evan Waldrep, Dom Papa – Damian German

San Nicolas FC: Jose Miranda – Erlys Garcia, Diego Jimenez (Gerardo Martinez 63′), Cruz Hernandez (ejected 37′), Oscar Castillo – Noel Castillo (Edgar Espinoza 79′), Amilicar Lopez, Rene Corona – Eduardo Barba (Jose Gomez 66′), Cesar Rivera, Luis Gonzalez

2016 US Open Cup: Is third time the charm for PDL’s FC Tucson?

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FC Tucson's Musa Morris battles with the University of Arizona's Zack Ben Said in a friendly on May 4. Photo: Dulce Santamaria Vega)
FC Tucson’s Musa Morris battles with the University of Arizona’s Zack Ben Said in a friendly on May 4. Photo: Dulce Santamaria Vega)

FC Tucson could say that they hope the third time in the US Open Cup is the charm, but they have already had eye-catching performances in past tournaments.

The team qualified for the 2013 US Open Cup after a strong debut season in the PDL. FC Tucson opened the tournament with a win against Phoenix FC, a USL side. In that match, they got an inspiring performance from Connor Bevans, who had just flown back to Tucson hours before to join his team after a family emergency and scored two goals in the waning moments of the match.

The team beat one more professional side, the now-defunct San Antonio Scorpions. That won FC Tucson the chance all PDL and amateur sides pray for in the Open Cup: the chance to play against an MLS team, facing off with the Houston Dynamo. But even though the match ended in a 2-0 loss, FC Tucson were one of only three PDL teams to make it that far that year.

They hoped to repeat that performance in 2015, but a surprisingly strong performance from amateur side Chula Vista FC knocked FC Tucson out of the tournament in the first round after an extra time loss.

Needless to say, FC Tucson coach Rick Schantz is hoping this year is more 2013 than 2015.

“Chula Vista created a template for us going into this year,” he said. “We can’t have the same mentality as we had with that game. This team is probably going to have four or five really good players and they will work extremely hard. They are probably going to be technically clean. It won’t be easy.

“We have to work on our discipline and not get too stretched out. We aren’t going to turn the game into a track meet.”

Edgar Reyna, FC Tucson’s longtime midfielder, played in both of the team’s previous Open Cup campaigns. He is hoping for a different attitude heading into this year’s first round matchup against San Nicolas.

“This year, we have to go game-by-game,” he said. “Last year, we were looking forward to the games in front. I thought we should have won that easily. Game-by-game, that’s how you have to approach the big tournaments.”

Reyna will be likely be joined in next Wednesday’s lineup by two Phoenix-area players who are standouts at Grand Canyon University: midfielder Musa Morris and forward Damian German. Both players scored in tune-up matches this past week against club teams from the University of Arizona and Arizona State. Tate Schmidt, a former RSL Academy player who started 13 matches for the University of Louisville, is also with the team. Interestingly, Schmidt’s brother Reid is a former FC Tucson player who played for Phoenix FC in that 2013 match.

University of Albany player Pedro Espindola, who scored five goals for FC Tucson in their PDL season last year, is expected to join the team in time for the Open Cup match as well.

Should FC Tucson win, they would face off with in-state rivals Arizona United SC of the USL.

PHOTO: FC Tucson’s Musa Morris battles with the University of Arizona’s Zack Ben Said in a friendly on May 4. (Credit: Dulce Santamaria Vega)

2015 US Open Cup Round 1: Chula Vista win tournament debut in OT, 2-1 over FC Tucson (video)

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Chula Vista and FC Tucson players battle for the ball. Photo: BensonactionFoto | FC Tucson
Chula Vista and FC Tucson players battle for the ball. Photo: BensonactionFoto | FC Tucson

In 2013, FC Tucson completed a remarkable run in the US Open Cup, defeating two pro teams before being stopped by the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. They hoped to repeat that performance this year.

It is not going to happen. FC Tucson saw defeat at home to USASA club Chula Vista FC 2-1.

FC Tucson’s David Clemens, Odaine Sinclair and Brandon Zambrano each had strong chances in the first half that tested Chula Vista’s Sebastian Ortiz. A clean first half ended with neither team scoring.

FC Tucson opened up the scoring in the 58th minute with a shot from Zambrano. The home side started to let Chula Vista have too much of the ball and paid for it in the 82nd minute when Gilberto Perez-Lopez equalized moments after coming on as a substitute. The game would be dragged into a half hour of overtime.

Chula Vista won their first lead of the match four minutes into overtime with a goal from Angel Pinal.

This photo shows FC Tucson's controversial missed penalty kick. The referee ruled that Eddie Sanchez missed the penalty kick. Photo: Joshua Pearson
This photo shows FC Tucson’s controversial missed penalty kick. The referee ruled that Eddie Sanchez missed the penalty kick. Photo: Joshua Pearson

Later in the extra period, a Chula Vista player ran down FC Tucson’s Dom Papa in the box. The ensuing penalty kick became one of many controversies in the overtime. Eddie Sanchez lined up to take the kick, and it seemed to hit the crossbar and bounced out of the goal. Observers in the press box thought it hit the top netting, but the referee ruled that it did not cross the line.

The last portion of overtime was a yellow card laden affair, but Chula Vista outlasted FC Tucson for their very first US Open Cup win.

“My concern was, could we last 90 minutes?” said Chula Vista FC coach J. Hector Diaz. “Then, we had to last a little bit longer. That was the difficult part. We were lucky to get the win.”

“It means a lot. It’s something special,” he said about winning the Open Cup. “These kids understand the importance of the Open Cup…they see the FA Cup and know that this is something special for us.”

Chula Vista FC moves on to face Arizona United SC in Scottsdale on May 20.

Full match replay: Chula Vista FC at FC Tucson

2013 US Open Cup Third Round: Houston Dynamo end FC Tucson run with 2-0 win

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Despite the best efforts of Cinderella upstart FC Tucson, the Houston Dynamo had little trouble advancing to the Fourth Round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, scoring once in each half for a 2-0 win at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Wednesday night.

With their depth hit by injuries and national team call-ups, the Dynamo started two players who have spent time on loan this year: Brian Ownby (Richmond Kickers) and Alex Dixon (Tampa Bay Rowdies). The duo started and finished the game’s opening goal in the 26th minute. Ownby won possession near the halfway line and Luiz Camargo spread the ball to rookie Jason Johnson on the left. Johnson slipped a pass to fullback Mike Chabala making a run to the end line and Chabala cut the ball back to the penalty spot, where Dixon provided a deft one-time finish out of the reach of Tucson goalkeeper Dallas Jaye.

Having allowed the first goal for the third consecutive Open Cup game, FC Tucson stepped up its offensive efforts, with lone forward Saeed Robinson, a Division II all-American last year at Grand Canyon University, firing wide with several looks from the top of the area. Robinson then set up Tucson’s best chance of the half, cutting the ball back for David Clemens, who fired wide from the top of the box in the 38th minute.

The PDL team, which fields a mix of mostly West Coast current and former college players, including several from both the University of San Diego and Gonzaga University, were on their heels most of the night. Houston included veterans like Bobby Boswell, Chabala and Brian Ching (himself a Gonzaga alumnus) in an otherwise reserve-laden lineup that included professional debuts for rookie defender Anthony Arena and teenage signing Bryan Salazar.

Houston had one more good chance in the first half, with Salazar – who otherwise had a quiet evening – feeding a surging Ownby. The second-year man in turn fed Ching for a shot that was knocked away by Jaye, who was fortunate when Houston’s Johnson failed to make solid contact with the rebound.

Houston appeared on cruise control at times in the second half, but Tucson almost conjured an equalizer in the 69th minute when Clemens poked the ball away from the Houston back line. Substitute forward Dakota Collins raced onto the ball in the box, but his left-footed shot from a bad angle was stuffed by charging Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric, who then smothered the rebound at the edge of the penalty area.

From there Houston substitutes Andrew Driver and Giles Barnes combined to dominate the tired Tucson back line, eventually putting the game away in the 85th minute. Tucson’s Brandon Zimmerman was yellow-carded for hauling down Barnes at the top of the penalty area, and Barnes delivered a well-hit free kick just inside the right post from about 21 yards away.

From there, the Dynamo threatened to make it a rout, as Driver and Johnson combined for four close-range chances in the ensuing four minutes, but Jaye made three saves and got help from a defender to clear a soft header off the goal line to stay within two goals.

The win for Houston’s reserves sent the Dynamo to what could be a fierce rivalry game with Dallas on June 12. Both teams are off on the weekend before the match, and Houston is off the following weekend as well, which could lead both teams to pick strong lineups. The in-state rivals last met in Open Cup play in the 2006 quarterfinals, with the Dynamo winning 3-0 in Houston, but FC Dallas won the teams’ prior meeting this year, in Frisco, by a 3-2 score.

Tucson’s run came to an end, but it will not be forgotten in the Arizona desert any time soon. Tucson bowed out of its first Open Cup appearance after eliminating two professional teams – Phoenix FC and the San Antonio Scorpions – but fell short of the $15,000 prize money as the top amateur team in the competition as the Des Moines Menace defeated an NASL club (Minnesota United FC) in regulation. Since the remaining four PDL teams all lost in the Third Round, the tiebreaker goes to the team that defeated the highest level of competition.

FC Tucson vs. Houston Dynamo

May 29, 2013 — BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston TX

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup — Round 3

Scoring Summary:

HOU: Alex Dixon 1 (Mike Chabala 1) 26

HOU: Giles Barnes 1 (unassisted) 85

FC Tucson: Dallas Jaye, Edgar Reyna, Travis Campbell, Greg Carter, Tim Harbison, Connor Brandt (Conner Bevans 64), Brandon Zimmerman, Eli Galbraith-Knapp, Ricardo Velazco, David Clemens (Stephen Poza 79), Saeed Robinson (Dakota Collins 64).

Substitutes Not Used: Michael D’Arrigo, Kevin Gould.

Houston Dynamo: Tyler Deric, Brian Ownby, Anthony Arena, Bobby Boswell, Mike Chabala, Luiz Camargo (Adam Moffat 83), Warren Creavalle, Alex Dixon, Bryan Salazar (Andrew Driver 61), Brian Ching (Giles Barnes 72), Jason Johnson.

Substitutes Not Used: Erich Marscheider, Eric Brunner, Kofi Sarkodie, Will Bruin.

Misconduct Summary:

TUC: Saeed Robinson (caution) 26

HOU: Warren Creavalle (caution) 71

HOU: Andrew Driver (caution) 75

TUC: Brandon Zimmerman (caution) 84

Officials: Referee: Eli Aguilar, AR1: Greg Boles, AR2: Daniel Vehabovic; fourth: Kyle Phillips

Attendance: 2,917

Team Stats

Shots: Houston 21, Tucson 7

Shots On Goal: Houston 9, Tucson 1

Saves: Tucson 7, Houston 1

Fouls: Houston 10, Tucson 4

Corner Kicks: Houston 8, Tucson 0

Offsides: Houston 1, Tucson 1

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