Unlike Friday’s easy win, when FC Tucson blanked Ogden City Soccer Club, the team had to fight throughout Saturday night’s game.
While FC Tucson managed to add a goal in stoppage time of the second half, it fell to Ogden 2-1 at Kino North Stadium.
Saturday marked the fourth consecutive match against Ogden. FC Tucson traveled to Utah last week — where the teams split games — then hosted Ogden in a two-match home set this week.
Keir Cochran, who served as head coach in games Friday and Saturday, said fatigue played a factor in the loss. The plan was to come out fast and score early, but FC Tucson couldn’t execute.
“Credit to Ogden,” Cochran said. “They got an early goal.”
Four minutes into the game, a blocked shot from Tucson’s Dalton Pando allowed Damian German to get in position past the Ogden keeper for a would-be goal, but an on-field official called the score back.
A minute later, Ogden scored when Gui Leme, who plays for Utah Valley University, connected on an assist from Skylar Milne.
A pushing match erupted in the 10th minute between German and Ogden’s Aaron Caprio. After they were seperated, both players were issued yellow cards.
FC Tucson had excellent opportunities to score on free kicks midway through the first half — two by Dalton Prado and one by Miguel Salazar — but were denied all three times.
In the 38th minute, FC Tucson again had an opportunity, this time on a pass from Julian Gaona to German, but the ball sailed wide right.
After halftime, FC Tucson came out with a vengeance and even mounted three consecutive shots on a single play, but the Ogden defense put a stop to the home team’s momentum.
Instead, Ogden added an insurance goal in the 80th minute with a goal by Jarom Farnsworth on an assist from Alex Neff.
“We didn’t finish our chances,” Alejandro Gonzalez said. “They got their little chance out here, 2-0. It was kind of hard to chasing the game after that. We’ve just got to finish, put them away.”
A foul in the 89th minute sparked a second scuffle between both teams, but only FC Tucson was issued a yellow card. Isaias German was given the caution.
During the five minutes of stoppage time, Ogden’s Carlos Becerra was issued a caution for pulling German’s jersey as the forward was moving up the field.
FC Tucson responded with a goal by Gonzalez in stoppage time, but the comeback fell short.
“We played until the final whistle,” Cochrane said. “I don’t look at it like we lost a game, we just ran out of time.”
Corner kicks
•FC Tucson’s women’s team beat the rival San Diego SeaLions 2-1 thanks to a pair of goals by Mariel Gutierrez. The tie-breaking goal was scored in the 87th minute. The win improved Tucson to 2-1.
•FC Tucson welcomed Phoenix native Tate Schmitt into their starting lineup Saturday. Schmitt was a key player in FC Tucson’s division titles the last two seasons. Schmitt, who plays for Louisville, is the PDL’s No. 1 prospect.
