California United's Dylan Kurtz smothers a short-range shot from FC Tucson's Deri Corfe, right, in the second half of their US Open Cup third-round game on Tuesday night.
After its Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run ended in heartbreak, FC Tucson will return to league play with a tall order.
FC Tucson (0-1-1) faces first-place Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on Saturday afternoon in Tennessee. The Red Wolves (2-0-1) play at CHI Memorial Stadium, which opened in 2020 with a 1-0 Chattanooga win over FC Tucson.
βItβs a tough place to play; theyβre right on top of you,β FC Tucson coach Jon Pearlman said. βThey are (within) grabbing distance, so you get to hear some colorful things.
βI enjoy that. I love the away environments that are good, the angrier the fans are, the better, I find that to be challenging and entertaining.β
Saturdayβs match will be available to stream on both ESPN+ and Hulu. FC Tucson will host a watch party at American Eat Co. & Market Bar, 1439. S. 4th Ave.
Pearlman said defender and 2021 club player of the year Kaelon Fox is a week away from making his 2022 debut.
βNot having Kaelon and Tevin and Franco are definitely key pieces for us, but we have other very good players and theyβre going to perform and itβs a great opportunity for them,β Pearlman said. βWeβre not whole yet. Hopefully we will be whole sooner than later.β
Four USL League One sides advanced to the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Two teams beat Major League Soccer opponents. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, a League One expansion team, beat Real Salt Lake 1-0 on the road, while defending USL League One champion Union Omaha knocked out the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.
In the fourth round, two USL League One clubs will face MLS sides. South Georgia Tormenta FC will play at Inter Miami CF, while the Richmond Kickers will host Charlotte FC.
California United Strikers FC, the team that eliminated FC Tucson with a late goal on Tuesday night, will host the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Round of 32.
βHonestly Iβm very jealous that Cal United gets the opportunity to host the Galaxy,β Pearlman said. β(LA head coach) Greg Vanneyβs a mentor/friend and that wouldβve been great for the team and for us. But thereβs lessons to be learned and a light at the end of the tunnel.β
A soon-to-be Duck
On Thursday, FC Tucsonβs womenβs club announced that midfielder Trinity Morales committed to the University of Oregon.
Morales, a Salpointe Catholic High School senior, played for FC Tucson last summer when they won the WPSL Desert Conference championship. FC Tucson Womenβs head coach Kelly Pierce also coaches Salpointe, which has won the last two Class 4A state titles.
The FC Tucson Women open their season May 28 at the El Paso Surf.
Photos: FC Tucson loses to Cal United Strikers in third round of US Open Cup