It has been a big week for FC Tucson.  It began with a flood of player announcements, and then capped off with six FC Tucson players featuring for Phoenix Rising in a preseason friendly.

FC Tucson signed eight players this week, bringing their total to nine on the roster. The players are a good mix of youth, hunger, and experience. Coach Sawatzky has said that he wants to, “Bring in a group of people that want to fight for the city and be an asset to the community. While at the same time making sure people know that they felt like they were slighted, and that its their time to move up.”  It is clear that Coach Sawatzky wants players that feel like they have something to prove, and he wants to give them every opportunity to showcase their quality.

AM – Moshe Perez

The first professional signing for FC Tucson was 24 yr-old Attacking Midfielder Moshe Perez (Not Moshi). Moshe played for FC Tucson during the 2017 season where he earned the CARF International MVP award. Moshe has a history for making excellent runs off the ball and he can finish, which his 13 goals during the 2107 season proves.

In the friendly against Minnesota United, Moshe subbed on at the start of the second half.  He immediately made an impact with runs in behind the defense, and put defensive pressure on the midfield.  Moshe made at least 4 key passes during his time on the pitch.  Against less stout non-MLS defense, those easily could have been assists.

F – Guillermo Delgado

Guillermo Delgado is a 24-yr-old Center Forward with USL Championship experience. Guillermo spent time in the Sounders U-23 system with Coach Sawatzky before being drafted in 2017 by the Chicago Fire.  Last season Guillermo played with Rio Grande Valley FC in the USL Championship where he made 7 appearances, scoring 1 goal in 296 minutes.  I am eager to see what Guillermo can do with more minutes when reunited with Coach Sawatzky.

M – Karsten Hanlin

Karsten Hanlin is a 25 yr-old Midfielder who most recently played for Colorado Switchbacks FC and Real Monarchs in the USL Championship. Karsten is versatile, he can play in the center or either side of the midfield. He has great vision and a knack for well placed crosses.

Karsten was another of the six players to suit up for Rising FC in the friendly on Saturday.   He started the second half on the right side of the midfield, where he had instant chemistry with fellow FC Tucson player RB Austin Ledbetter.  They had a few passing sequences down the right side that led to Karsten sending crosses into the box, two of which forced corners for FC Tucson.  Later in the second half, Karsten switched over to the left midfield.  Coach Sawatzky will definitely make good use of his versatility.

RB/CB – Kody Wakasa

Kody is a familiar face to Phoenix Rising fans. He has been in the Rising system for 2 years, but has had trouble locking down a starting role. This is an opportunity for him to get regular minutes and to continue to grow.  I can see him being a player that is regularly called up if Phoenix has an injury to their back-line.

In the friendly on Saturday, Kody looked solid at center-back next to Doueugui Mala.  He kept his mistakes to a minimum and passed the ball well while under pressure.  His only big error came when he won an aerial challenge, but sent the ball to the feet of an opposing attacker which led to a dangerous shot that barely went over the crossbar.

RB/CB/DM – Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu

FC Tucson can boast that they have a MLS Champion on their roster. Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu is a 24 yr-old RB who played last season for Atlanta United. He is a solid defender who is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet. While he was with Atlanta United and ATL UTD 2, he played a few different positions including; RB, CB, DM, and CM. It will be interesting to see how FC Tucson uses him before Phoenix Rising inevitably calls him up.

Andrew was subbed on for Raheem Somersall at Defensive Midfielder in the 75th minute of Saturday’s friendly.  He showed composure and played quick accurate passes when under pressure to by pass Minnesota’s press.  He looked and acted like a seasoned veteran, FC Tucson is lucky to have in the squad.

DM – Raheem Somersall

Raheem Somersall is a 21 yr-old Defensive Midfielder who has made 6 appearances for the senior Saint Kitts and Nevis national team. Raheem spent time in the PDL and most recently played for Appalachian State University.  Raheem’s specialty is winning standing tackles and playing a smart pass to launch a counter attack. His legs almost always seem to find the ball and dispossess and an opposing attacking player.

Raheem really impressed during the second half of the friendly.  He locked down the midfield and had good distribution.  In the ‘rising system’ he played the ‘Musa’ role very well.  He shielded the back line, won aerial duels, and cleanly won a few standing tackles.  Before being subbed off in the 75th minute, he played a very good ball to Perez which led to a scoring chance.

GK – Kienan Weekes

Kienan Weekes is a Goalkeeper that played for the University of Portland. Weekes broke into the starting XI his senior year and helped lead the Pilots to a 12-3-2 record.  Something to watch for is who else will FC Tucson brings in at GK for competition.

CB – Austin Ledbetter

Austin Ledbetter is another returning player to Tucson.  The 23 yr-old defender played for FC Tucson during the 2015 season. He was drafted by FC Dallas in 2017 and spent the last 2 years with St. Louis FC. His main position is CB but he has played both RB and DM for St. Louis to cover for injuries.

Austin played the entire 45 minutes of the second half of the friendly on Saturday at right back.  He pushed forward to initiate a lot of the Rising attacks, often overlapping and playing in crosses into the box.  He made smart decisions when pressured, and had some great interplay with Hanlin and Perez.

LB – Kyle Bjornethun

Kyle is a 23 yr-old Left back with plenty of USL Championship experience. He spent a few years with the Sounders U-23’s under Coach Sawatzky, I feel he wont be the last Sounders U-23 to be signed this season. Kyle has since played for Timbers 2, and Toronto FC II.

This brings the FC Tucson roster to 1 Forward, 3 Midfielders, 4 Defenders, and 1 GK

Ed Note: Since the article was submitted, FC Tucson has announced the signing of Israeli forward Roy Abergil and Defender Kyle Venter