FC Tucson's historic postseason run cut off with 5-1 loss in USL League Two semifinal

FC Tucson’s historic 2024 postseason run ended Sunday afternoon after a barrage of goals from host Peoria City.

FC Tucson (10-3-5) lost 5-1 in the USL League Two national semifinals after the home side scored five times in the second half.

Peoria City forward Luke Persenico scored the opening goal in the 49th minute and then added another one about three minutes later. FC Tucson halved the Flying Carp’s lead with a goal by forward William Arnesen a few seconds later, but Persenico got a hat trick in the 67th minute and Peoria City added goals in the 72nd and 88th minutes.

“We knew coming in we’re playing the home team and it was gonna be tough with the fans. They’re used to the field and everything,” FC Tucson head coach Sebastian Pineda said postgame.

“We came out and performed but unfortunately they were better in the critical moments than us and they take the result.”

The USL League Two’s northern four-team pod was held at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium in Peoria, Illinois.

Peoria City (12-1-3) faces the winner of the other semifinal between the Eastern Conference champions Seacoast United Phantoms (Epping, New Hampshire) and the Southern Conference champions Asheville City (North Carolina). That match was ongoing as the Star went to press.

Pineda, in his first season as head coach of FC Tucson’s first team, led the Men in Black to their first USL League Two semifinals appearance in seven playoff runs and their most postseason wins in a single season.

“I’m just thankful for the club for the opportunity — thankful with the guys because they came in and they represented the club to the highest of their ability and I think there is a lot of positives to take out of the season,” Pineda said. “Of course it hurts to go out the way we’re going out but we fought the whole summer. We came down to only 16 players on the bench for (Sunday) so all that stuff plays a role but it’s not an excuse. I’m proud of the guys and I’m happy to be part of history at the club.”

Pineda took over the head coaching role after FCT went 7-1-4 last season in the organization’s return to USL League Two; that 2023 team barely missed out on the playoffs, with goal differential the deciding factor.

“I think talking with the club, we had an expectation with what is provided for the players and everything, so there was a pressure there,” Pineda said, “but I think once we made it into playoffs that pressure kind of went away a little bit.

“I knew the talented team that we had and that’s what has taken us all the way to this stage.”

Pineda came back to Tucson to become the Men in Black’s Pro Academy head coach and an assistant for the USL League One side in 2022. He also played for FC Tucson in 2015 and 2017.

He said it was difficult to pick who FC Tucson’s most valuable players were during their playoff run.

They all played an amazing role,” he said. “It’s tough for me to say.

“I think of course William — William Arnesen. The stats that he put in with goals and assists through out this summer, and of course the captain Duvan Canchila was a big part of what we are as a club and what we’re trying to do on the field. He’s like a second coach on the field for me.”

Pineda did think their final four appearance will help with recruitment next year.

“Yeah for sure,” Pineda said. “Getting here we’ll have to sit down with the club and get ready for next season when the time comes and I know that more players that are higher level want to come in but we’ll look into that later in the future.”

Corner kicks

FC Tucson’s 10 wins is tied for their third-best mark in USL League Two history. In 2014 and 2016, FCT won 11 matches and the division title but lost in the conference final both seasons.

Five goals is the most FC Tucson gave up all season. FCT scored 40 and gave up 26 in 18 league matches.