This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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PDL side FC Tucson scores first but can’t hang on
There’s a reason why teams play pre-season games; the rust has to come off at some point.
It took FC Edmonton a while to get into the game but in the end, they were able to salvage a draw through an own goal in the 72nd minute against FC Tucson at the Grande Sports Complex in Arizona.
The home team opened the scoring early off the boot of Donny Toia in the 10th minute. But FC Edmonton quickly went on the attack after the goal and Paul Craig was unlucky not to tie the game minutes later after being fouled outside the 18-yard box.
The PEI-native stepped up to take the free kick but narrowly missed, banging the ball off the outside of the far post.
FC Tucson was able to hang on to the lead for the remainder of the half and FC Edmonton made some changes during the break.
Chris Kooy came on to replace Dominic Oppong in the midfield and John Smits made his first appearance for a pro team between the posts replacing Team Canada-bound Michal Misiewicz.
The teams went back and forth at the beginning of the second half but FC Edmonton began to take control.
Shortly after the hour mark the Eddies made two more substitutions bringing striker Kyle Porter on for Michael Cox and Matt Lam made his return to the blue and white replacing Niko Saler on the left side of midfield.
FC Edmonton was unfortunate not to have tied the game minutes after the subs as Elvir Gigolaj won a free kick from 25-yards out. Lam stepped up to take the kick and bent it into the box, Lester Benelli got a head on it and guided it towards goal but an FC Tucson defender knocked it over the bar, with what appeared to be his hand, but no call was made by the referee.
Shortly after the 70th minute mark, left-back Barry Rice attempted a deep pass for Craig on the right side. An FC Tucson player broke off the pass with his head but the ball eluded the keeper and ended up in the back of the Tucson net for an own goal.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw and FC Edmonton will take on the University of New Mexico tomorrow.
FC Tucson Starting 11
GK-Mike Selmo, D-Conor Spence, D-Nick Sykes, D-Kareem Smith, D-Kyle McQuown, M-Matt Armstrong, M- Reid Schmidt, M-Kevin King, M-Phillipe Garre, F-Donny Toia-, F-Travis Sanchez
FC Edmonton Starting 11
GK-Michal Misiewicz, D-Diaz Kambere, D-Lester Benelli, D-Jonathan Joseph-Augustin, D-Barry Rice, M-Dominic Oppong, M-Kenny Caceros, M-Paul Craig, F-Niko Saler, F-Michael Cox, F-Elvir Gigolaj
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