Miguel Salazar began playing with FC Tucson in 2012 but only appeared in two games before this season.
The 23-year-old local said he goes wherever soccer takes him.
The same is said for Jason Romero.
Romero joined FC Tucson three months ago but will leave next week to play with St. George in Sydney, Australia.
The endless turnover plagues the league. FC Tucson (2-1) and other Premier Development League teams must adapt quickly, especially with a quick-paced schedule.
“Any team that brings players in and out will always struggle with chemistry just because, in order to play well with someone, you have to play with them frequently,” Salazar said.
FC Tucson will open a two-game weekend series with Ogden City Soccer Club on Friday night. The game is, in many ways, indicative of Tucson’s crazy schedule. The Men in Black haven’t played at home since May 12. Friday’s game marks their third straight against Ogden (1-3) — the teams split a two-match set last weekend in Utah.
James McGhee, a 21-year-old center back from Gilbert, said he’s looking forward to a long stay at home. FC Tucson plays six of its next seven matches at Kino North Stadium.
“I think as we have more practices together and get everybody here that’s going to be able to play, that’s definitely going to help us out going forward,” McGhee said. “We’re looking forward to having some home games.”
The team’s chemistry is solid, a likely result of a few road trips in the team van.
“The first month overall is tough because there’s a lot of new guys coming in,” McGhee said. “We didn’t really have any chemistry or anything like that, so it’s kind of tough to jell together like a team. Being together just more and more time, the better we’re going to get.”
Both Salazar and McGhee agree that good teams win at home. The advantages are as much physical as they are mental: Teams playing at home don’t have to endure van rides, strange hotels and irregular sleep schedules.
“I think we’ll be able to impose our style of play a little better, especially because we have a bigger field,” McGhee said. “We’ll be able to spread the game out a little more and impose our game better.”
Corner kicks
- FC Tucson’s women’s team started its season Tuesday with a home game against LA Galaxy San Diego. Tucson lost 2-1. The team will play at home 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday against SD Parceiro Ladies and the San Diego SeaLions, respectively, before the men’s games.
- The women will close out their home schedule next Friday before playing their last four games on the road.
