FC Tucson’s drought of scoring early was greeted by a waterfall of goals as the Men In Black scored four times in the first half en route to a 4-1 USL League One win over Orlando City B at Osceola Heritage Park in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday night.
FC Tucson forward Azaad Liadi scored twice, Roberto Alarcon netted his first goal of the season and Shak Adams took his goal total to 2 on the year in a dominating first half.
For the first time this season, FC Tucson took an early lead. Charlie Dennis perfectly timed a through ball to Liadi in stride. Liadi, dribbled down the right side, and stroked the ball past goalkeeper Austin Avizu to give the Men In Black a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.
But the lead lasted just 12 minutes as defender Mateo Rodas converted a penalty in the 18th minute after Moises Tablante drew a foul in the box. FC Tucson goalkeeper Carlos Merancio guessed correctly, to his right side, but the penalty shot sailed past his outstretched arms.
FC Tucson (2-3-0, 6 points) responded quickly, retaking the advantage in the 21st minute. Left back Derrick Silva came up with a steal and fed Adams, who came charging down the left side before zinging a cross to the far post just inside the box that Alarcon rocketed it into the net.
Liadi picked up his brace with another nice run after beating the Orlando City B defense and then slotting it past Avizu for a 3-1 lead in the 26th.
Adams made it a quartet of first-half goals with cheeky flick to himself and then a strong right-footed shot from 12 yards in the 41st minute.
The barrage was the first time FC Tucson scored four goals in a half in league play since June 8, 2018. The Men In Black netted four in the final 45 minutes against Colorado Pride Switchbacks U23 in a 5-0 win.
In the second half, FC Tucson’s defense kept quiet an Orlando City B attack that brought on three substitutes at halftime. In the scoreless second half, the Men In Black limited Orlando (1-2-1, 4 points) to a few corners and Merancio was there to make sure any threats were extinguished..
Tuesday night’s win means FC Tucson remains perfect in matches played in Florida. The Men In Black are 4-0 in the Sunshine State.
FC Tucson will wrap up a three-match road run with a game against Union Omaha on Aug. 29 at Werner Park in Omaha, Nebraska. Kick-off is set for 5 p.m.
