FC Tucson started the season strong with a 3-1 victory over MLS II side Orlando City B. The club scored its first professional goal and secured its first victory in USL League One. The match was billed as the ‘youth’ of Orlando City B youth vs the ‘defense’ of FC Tucson.
Orlando City B started off the match playing aggressively. OCB controlled the tempo and dominated possession throughout the first 20 minutes. FC Tucson’s game plan at the start of the match was to absorb pressure and then hit on the counter. FC Tucson kept their defensive shape, minimized mistakes, and forced Orlando to make low percentage shots. Ledbetter and Wheeler-Omiunu locked down the wings, forcing play to the outside where OCB attacks fizzled out. Orlando ended the match with 12 shots, only 2 of which were on target.
FC Tucson made history in the 22’. The first goal for FC Tucson in USL League One was the result of its tactical system and the near perfect execution from its players. Orlando was caught out of position and Kody Wakasa sent a ball in over the top of the defense. It landed right at the feet of Luis Martinez, who made a perfectly timed run in behind the defense. Luis then made a smart pass to Delgado which led to the tap in.
The match came to a halt in the 44’ with Orlando City B receiving a red card. Defender Randy Mendoza closed down on Zach Wright, but made a reckless diving tackle. The ref called the foul immediately, but took a minute before reaching into his pocket for the red. Wright was down for a few minutes, but eventually able to walk it off. The sending off of Mendoza killed any momentum that OCB had built back up after Delgado’s opener.
In stoppage time, 45+4’, Austin Ledbetter sent a beautiful ball over the top of the defense for Delgado who brought it down inside the OCB box. Delgado faked to the outside and then sent a back-heeled pass into the path of Wright who fired it past Orlando City B GK Mancuso.
In the 54th minute Delgado completed his brace. Delgado made an interception and passed it to Cox who played an exceptional through ball back to Delgado. This put Delgado 1v1 with the keeper. Delgado finished with a chip over Mancuso. Mancuso got a fingertip to the ball, but it wasn’t enough as the ball still found the back of the net.
Orlando City B got one back in the 56th minute after fantastic individual play by Koby Osei-Wusu. Osei-Wusu made a great run in behind Austin Ledbetter and then fought his way into the box past Kody Wakasa. He made a perfectly placed shot that somehow got by Wakasa and Ejimadu. I honestly thought it had hit the side netting and gone behind the goal, it was an amazing effort and finish.
The match ultimately changed when Orlando received the red card in the 44’. Nobody knows how the match would have resulted in both teams were at full strength for the full 90 minutes. Orlando City B was the flashier team for most of the first half, yet they’re were denied shots on target and were ultimately still down 1-0 before the red.
FC Tucson play Tormenta FC in their second match of the season this Wednesday @ 5pm Arizona Time.
