FC Tucson News Release -- www.fctucson.com
Saturday, June 23, 2012
TUCSON, Ariz. — Back on June 5, FC Tucson beat BYU to take over first place with 15 points (5-0-1 record) and Orange County Blue Star was in second place with 14 points (3-0-5). It appeared the stars were aligning just right for a top-of-the-table showdown between the two teams for this Saturday, June 23.
But a lot has happened since then. Neither team has matched the high bar they set for themselves to begin the year: FC Tucson has gone 1-0-3 since that night while OC Blue Star has lost four straight matches.
Yet FC Tucson head coach Rick Schantz doesn’t believe for a second that this game will be easy.
“This is a very rich division,” Schantz said “Every team is capable of beating the next. In order to win we will have to play our very best. I'm sure OC is excited to get a shot at us...the target is forming on our back. Being at the top will do that. We are ready for anyone, anywhere, anytime.”
Despite FC Tucson’s winning streak being snapped, the team is still in the middle of a nine-game unbeaten streak thanks to three consecutive ties last weekend. At the end of its three-games-in-five-days stretch last weekend, FC Tucson looked vulnerable for the first time all season. The LA Misioneros’ creative front line had little trouble creating chances against a defense with heavy legs.
But after a week of training at home, and no games, Schantz is confident heading into tonight’s match.
“The guys have worked very hard this week in training,” Schantz said. “We have been able to recover from small bruises and soreness. With some key additions — Aaron Long, Carlos Montes, and Wes Culver — as well as Eli Galbraith-Knapp [returning from suspension], I expect that we will be more than ready for [tonight’s] game.”
Galbraith-Knapp, a midfielder, returns after the red card he received against Ventura County on June 16. He had played 156 minutes in four appearances prior to his suspension.
Long is also returning, although not from a suspension. He rejoined the team during its most recent road trip and notched FC Tucson’s lone goal against the Misioneros on June 18. This season he’s played 288 minutes over five appearances.
Montes and Culver, who are teammates at Sana Clara, joined the team for the first time last weekend. Montes, a forward, appeared in both games and played a total of 135 minutes. Culver, a defender, did not make an appearance.
FC Tucson squares off against OC Blue Star on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Kino Sports Complex, Field No.5. Tickets are $12 and can be bought at the gate beginning at 5 p.m. They can also be purchased online at www.TicketForce.com or on the team's Facebook page at Facebook.com/FCTucson.