Following a loss to Capo FC Tuesday night, FC Tucson remained at Kino North Stadium on Saturday night to face California-based Redlands FC — a team it beat on the road a week before.
FC Tucson prevailed over Redlands FC by a score of 5-1 on Saturday after winning 2-1 Redlands last week.
Redlands is 3-3-1 while Tucson is 3-2-2.
Saturday’s game was FC Tucson’s fourth in the span of the last seven days, and the fatigue associated with that many games in such a short amount of time was certainly a concern for Tucson’s players and coaching staff.
Coming into the game, coach Sebastian Pineda knew that his team was exhausted both physically and mentally.
“We were hurt after last game,” he said. “We understood that we had heavy legs, but we still had to go out and show who we are. I’m proud of the guys.”
Boys are on pic.twitter.com/64Fcx0E8if
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) June 16, 2024
Tired or not, Tucson was able to shake off the disappointment of the 2-1 loss to Capo on Tuesday to put together a dominant performance at home against Redlands.
Tucson lined up in a defensive 4-3-3, with midfielder Duvan Canchila serving the role of the single defensive pivot, reminiscent of Manchester City’s midfield maestro Rodri. Canchila often dropped between centerbacks to serve as an additional passing option when Tucson played out from the back.
Conversely, Redlands lined up in a 5-3-2, a formation that is gaining popularity all over Europe for its versatility in allowing wingbacks to push up field in attack, yet remaining defensively solid with three centerbacks to handle any danger.
Against Tucson, that defensive solidity was nowhere to be found. Tucson was absolutely lethal in its counterattacks, scoring two quick goals within the first 10 minutes of play, courtesy of winger James Jennings in the second minute, followed by striker Elias Aguilar in the ninth.
A long throw in to Aguilar kicked off the initial attack, as Redlands appeared unready to deal with the lightning-quick reactions of Tucson’s attackers.
Winger William Arnesan, a freshman who plays collegiate soccer at Old Dominion, collected the loose ball before unleashing Jennings with a pass that cut through Redland’s defense like a hot knife through butter. The Irishman calmly slotted it past the keeper to give Tucson a lead it would never surrender.
A few minutes later, Jennings played a nice 1-2 with fullback Diego Veliz, a Salpointe High School alum, which gave Veliz acres of space down the right flank. Veliz’s ensuing cross ricocheted off the post as Redland defenders desperately tried to clear it, but the lurking Aguilar was the first to pounce, doubling Tucson’s lead.
The remainder of the first half was mostly a quiet affair. Redlands took plenty of shots, but Tucson’s defense ensured that the vast majority of them were low-quality efforts. Tucson keeper Alex Svetnoff was complimentary of his defense after the game.
“My defenders made it easy for me today,” Svetnoff said. “They put me in good positions to make saves by forcing bad shots and forcing attackers into areas where I want.”
The second half was a near-perfect mirror to the first, with two quick Tucson goals. This time the damage was done by Luke Kawabe in the 45th minute, and D’Andre Pickett in the 49th.
A long ball over the defense dropped into a dangerous area between two defenders, and Kawabe took it first time off the bounce to rocket it past the keeper, stunning Redlands immediately after the half.
Tucson's own D'Andre Pickett is tonights @HJ3Composites Man of the Match! pic.twitter.com/t1Xy8pRn1Z
— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) June 16, 2024
Even with a three-goal lead, Tucson kept pouring it on. Defender D’Andre Pickett of Tucson High outleapt everyone after a corner kick to head the ball home, adding to a tough night for the Redlands defense.
Redlands scored a consolation goal after a soft foul in the box awarded them a penalty in the 80th minute, but it was too little too late for Redlands FC.
The win pushes FC Tucson to a tie for third in the table with Arizona Arsenal (3-1-2), both sides winning 11 points so far in the campaign.
FC Tucson’s next challenge comes from the Southern California Eagles (1-6-0) at Kino North Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m.
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