FC Tucsonβs postseason chances washed away as another weather delay literally rained on their parade.
After a 2-hour, 49-minute weather delay, Central Valley Fuego FC beat FC Tucson 2-0 on Wednesday night, eliminating the home team from the USL League One Playoffs. FC Tucson needed to win its final three matches and get some help to advance to the postseason.
βWe had to play a lot of players and push really hard to get back to where we got an opportunity and weβve driven guys very far, and tonight it looked a little bit like heavy legs,β said FC Tucson coach Jon Pearlman.
The Fuego (10-12-7) spoiled Southern Arizona Heritage Night. So did the rain, which spoiled a supportersβ walk that was set to start at 6:30 p.m. The Cactus Pricks, FC Tucsonβs supporters logo, had planned the parade before the key match.
In the 50th minute, Fuego midfielder Zahir Vasquez scored. Then in the 68th minute Fuego forward Christian Chaney added an insurance goal.
βJust disappointing I think, thatβs the first thing that comes to mind,β said FC Tucson defender Jacob Crull. βI think we had a good opportunity tonight. Just as a whole, as a team, I donβt think we performed the way we needed to, simple mistakes, goals that could have been prevented.β
Wednesdayβs match was FC Tucsonβs fifth home contest to be delayed by lightning. The weeknight match started at 9:49 p.m.
βItβs tough: Youβre starting games very late here. Weβve had basically five neutral-site games here,β Pearlman said. βOur crowd wants to be here, we want to have them here, the weather doesnβt cooperate and you need that when youβre home, that kind of lift, that kind of push wouldβve been so helpful tonight.β
Crull said the delays can be a hard but βweather isnβt always perfect.β
βItβs definitely something thatβs been frustrating for the season with how often itβs happened,β Crull said. βI think our guys handle the delays well though, we find things to do, we find things that we enjoy doing together in the locker room.β
Fuego outshot FC Tucson 15-14 and 5-3 in shots on target. The loss ended FC Tucsonβs six-match unbeaten run and four-match win streak at home.
βRight now youβre not thinking about how impressive you were β youβre just thinking about disappointed you are that you didnβt get to show your best hand and your best game tonight for your fans,β Pearlman said. βBut yeah of course, Iβm so pleased with themβ
FC Tucson heads to Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (10-10-9) on Saturday. The Men in Blackβs season finale is on Oct. 15 at home against Forward Madison FC (7-10-11).
Corner kicks
The Fuego won the inaugural Western Clasico trophy, a revived rivalry with FC Tucson. They drew the first match on June 18 0-0 and Central Valley won the second, 3-2, on Aug. 31, both were in Fresno, California.
The first-year expansion club Fuego FCβs name is a nod to a previous club called Fresno Fuego, who had a rivalry with FC Tucson when they were in the USL Premier Development League βThereβs great history there and obviously giving them a trophy feels even worse,β Pearlman said. βThereβs nothing to feel good about tonight but again I give credit to (Fuego head coach) Martin (Vasquez) and their team.β
FC Tucson goalkeeper Carlos Merancio is a finalist for League One Player of the Month for September. Merancio had 19 saves and a 0.40 a goals-against average.
Photos: FC Tucson falls at home to Central Valley Fuego FC, 2-0, USL League One