FC Tucson Heading Down To Georgia.
Tonight’s match versus Tormenta SC is FC Tucson’s first real opportunity to play against a USL League One playoff favorite. Both sides are coming off a short week. Tormenta played Friday night at home, while FC Tucson played Saturday night in Orlando. I imagine that the preseason conditioning and depth of both rosters will be put to the test tonight.
South Georgia Tormenta SC:
Tormenta SC played in USL League Two last season, they went undefeated in their division. Tormenta decided to carry this success into USL League One by signing a good portion of their League Two squad onto their current roster. This gives Tormenta an advantage by allowing the team to instantly have a high degree of chemistry.
Tormenta Coach Miglarese employed an attacking style of play in League Two. There has been speculation that Tormenta’s attack will be toned down this season to adjust for the longer, more demanding professional schedule. Tormenta’s lone goal last week came off a fast paced counter. FC Tucson’s fullbacks will have their hands full tonight.
Tormenta is a far more experienced team than Orlando City B, they shouldn’t make the same mistakes that led to defensive breakdowns.
FC Tucson:
In their opening match Saturday, FC Tucson showed they can adapt their style of play. Orlando City B was high-tempo and attacking, so FC Tucson ceded possession but dictated where that possession would be. Coach Sawatzky has said that FC Tucson will be a chameleon and change up their style of play until the club established their own identity over the course of the season.
Look for Tucson to slow down the match and build up play through the wings.
Tonight might bring the debut for FC Tucson’s first loan from Phoenix Rising FC, Devin Vega. Vega would fit perfectly into Luis Martinez’s role at attacking-midfielder. Given the short week, I see Vega starting. I am hoping for a midfield duo of Martinez and Vega, but I doubt that will come to fruition. FC Tucson will need an aerial presence in the midfield against Tormenta.
Starting XI:
It will be interesting to see what changes Coach Sawatzky makes this week. I imagine with the travel and the short week, we will see 4-5 changes. Raheem Somersall, Zach Wright, and Philip Ejimadu picked up knocks in Saturdays match, I’m expecting them to be on the bench.
Cox Delgado Eti
Jambga Vega
Stripling
Wheeler-Omiunu Bjornethun Hauswirth Ledbetter
Merancio
Prediction: FC Tucson 2-2 Tormenta SC
Watch FC Tucson play, tonight @ 5pm on ESPN+
Featured Image: Mark Thorstenson
