With a win under their belt against Stars FC, the FC Tucson Men are heading into a playoff scenario against their in-state rival in the last regular season match.
The Men in Black (7-2-2) host Stars FC (1-8-2) Sunday, after defeating the Stars 5-2 at Ottawa University in Surprise on May 20.
“It was part of our main objective starting the season to get into the playoffs and have a run at it again like the form that we had last season,” said FC Tucson head coach Sebastian Pineda. “The fact that it is in our hands again is very positive and we will go into Sunday with that in mind and that responsibility and the guys are ready.”
FC Tucson's midfielder Justin Milovanov (13) comes up to congratulate forward Paul Caliari (9) after he pulled them even at 1-1 with Ventura County in the first half of their USL League Two match in Tucson on July 3, 2025.
In the first match at Stars FC, forward Paul Caliari scored FC Tucson’s first goal of the regular season, then forward Alexis Ledoux, midfielder Jesse Wangusi, forward Ismael Ruiz and midfielder Aron Martinez scored.
FC Tucson closed out its road schedule with a 1-1 draw at then-third-place Capo FC on Wednesday. Wangusi scored in the 51st minute, but Capo got the equalizer in the 87th minute.
FC Tucson, which is on a four-match unbeaten streak, went 2-2-2 on the road this season.
The USL League Two playoffs feature 35 teams. Eight teams from the Western Conference get in, the division champions, plus a wildcard from each division.
Although FC Tucson beat the Ventura County Fusion in their last home match 2-1 on July 3 — their third straight win over the Fusion — Ventura County has clinched a spot in the playoffs.
The Fusion (8-2-1) close out the regular season hosting sixth-place AMSG (5-3-3), so it looks like VC will win the division for the second straight season. FC Tucson took first from Ventura County after the July win, but the Fusion moved back atop the division when they beat Redlands FC 3-2 on Wednesday.
FC Tucson looks to make the USL League Two playoffs for the eighth time in its 10th season at that level. Starting in 2014, FCT made the Premier Development League (before they rebranded as USL League Two) five times in a row.
Should FC Tucson make the playoffs this season, it will be the second postseason appearance for the second-year head coach Pineda.
Pineda, who played for FC Tucson in 2015 and 2017, said he credits the players, staff and front office for the chance to make the playoffs again.
FC Tucson's goalkeeper Matheus Rohrmens (30) makes the sprawling attempt on a Ventura County shot that slipped just wide in the second half of their USL League Two match in Tucson on July 3, 2025.
“We give 100% and commit a lot of time and effort to make this happen so the players can perform their best and give us their 100%, but credit to last year’s team and credit to this year’s team of how they perform on the field, of how they behave, how they understand their responsibility that they have,” Pineda said. “They understand that once you get into playoffs everything can happen and just to get in there is a positive thing for the season and now we look forward. Of course, again, we have to win Sunday but the group knows what’s at stake and they will be ready for it.”
FC Tucson mourns FCTY, Vail SC teen
FC Tucson will have a 17-second moment of silence for FC Tucson Youth and Vail Soccer Club player Daydrian Raymond Brown.
The 15-year-old was shot to death last weekend at a house party; his jersey number was 17.
“It’s an unbelievable loss for the community, for the club, as well, but it’s tough on the family,” Pineda said.
Pineda also leads the FC Tucson USL Academy.
Vail SC set up a GoFundMe for Brown’s mother, Dahlia. FCTY and Vail SC coaches will receive free entry to the match.
Home sweet home
FC Tucson has won seven in a row at home and is unbeaten in its last 13 league matches at the friendly confines of Kino North Stadium.
In 2023, when FC Tucson self-relegated to USL League Two, it went 5-0 at home and was 9-1-2 at Kino last year, but that includes two wins in the playoffs en route to the Western Conference championship.
Men in the black
As of press time, FC Tucson leads the 144-team league in scoring with 55 goals. Second place is Lionsbridge FC with 48.
FC Tucson's Lucas Gonzalez (32) jumps for joy after notching the the team’s third goal of the night in the second half against City SC in their USL League Two game in Tucson on June 28, 2025.
FCT also has the best goal differential with +44. Asheville City SC is second with +40.
“I think they have done the job,” Pineda said about FC Tucson’s offense. “We have been able to score multiple players, multiple positions, which is great, we’re not relying on one player to score all the goals.
“Hopefully, some of the attacking players can get in their run here in the playoff diamond, can continue to score goals. “They know what can happen, just trusting the process and trusting with how hard we’ve been working in training.”
Redlands FC, currently in fourth place, has the second-best goal differential in FC Tucson’s Southwest Division, +24. It also has the second-most goals in the Southwest with 40.
Many of the Men in Black’s goals came in their 19-0 and 16-0 wins over Coachella FC, which finished the season with a league-worst -118 goal differential. Miami AC had the second-worst goal differential at -43.
Coachella only managed one point in 12 matches, a 5-5 draw with Stars FC, who head to Tucson in eighth place out of nine Southwest Division teams.
Fan appreciation deals
Sunday’s match is Fan Appreciation Night. FC Tucson merchandise will be 20% off, carne asada tacos will be $2, and a 12-ounce beer will be $4.
