FC Tucson continues building form for the start of the USL League One 2022 season Saturday at Wild Horse Pass Stadium, facing off against USL Championship side Phoenix Rising FC.
The match had a bit of historic connotations as two of the founders of FC Tucson – FC Tucson’s Jon Pearlman and Phoenix Rising FC’s Rick Schantz – faced off as head coaches of opposing professional teams.
FC Tucson deployed its starters and several trialists in the first half to build up match fitness. Phoenix Rising, which opens the regular season next week, deployed its starters for the full 90 minutes.
FC Tucson midfielder Daniel Bedoya opened the game’s scoring a free kick from just outside the box in the 12th minute. The shot went over the wall and off the inside near post and into the net behind Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Ben Lundt.
Former Union Omaha forward Greg Hurst scored Rising’s first goal in the 29th minute. Rising midfielder Baboucarr Njie sent a cross into the area to Hurst who deflected the ball into the net.
Rising’s second goal came in the 38th minute when a header from Hurst was sent wide and found the feet of Phoenix forward Marcus Epps. He knoeck the ball into the back of the net to give Phoenix a 2-1 lead.
Rising had a shot early in the second half when Epps passed the ball to forward Santi Moar. The ball curled around the defenders towards the net, but FC Tucson goalkeeper Carlos Merancio made an incredible finger-tip save to keep the score line at 2-1.
Phoenix Rising grabbed three goals in the final 15 minutes of the match against FC Tucson’s reserves and Pro Academy players to bring the game to a 5-1 final. Moar grabbed the third goal after finishing a cross from Epps. Epps finished off his hat trick by grabbing the last two goals of the match.
Rising came into the match with experience from two closed-door matches in Phoenix, one in Tucson against MLS side Houston Dynamo and one open match against USL Championship Louisville City in Phoenix.
FC Tucson will play its third preseason match against Grand Canyon University on Saturday, March 12, at Kino North.
