USL1 FC Tucson

FC Tucson Scores Two Equalizers to Earn a Point in Lansing

July 13, 2019 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
FC Tucson News Release


TUCSON - FC Tucson kicked off its six-match road trip with a 2-2 draw against Lansing Ignite FC at Cooley Law School Stadium.

WHAT TO KNOW

- Midfielder Ramone Howell scored his first professional goal in the 36th minute.

- Forward Jordan Jones found the back of the net for the third time this season, tying for first on the club with three goals.

- LAFC loanee goalkeeper Phillip Ejimadu collected four saves in the contest.

FC Tucson started the match on the attacking as foot as forward Jordan Jones recorded two great chances within the first 15 minutes of play. Tucson appeared to be rejuvenated from last week's 3-1 victory over Toronto FC II. Similar to previous matches, FCT came out in a high press in hopes of executing on the counter-attack.

In the 26th minute, a Lansing was awarded a penalty kick which was calmly converted by Robinson Moshebane, giving the home side a 1-0 lead.

Moments later, Phoenix Rising FC loanee midfielder Ramone Howell sprinted past the Lansing backline to beat the keeper to score the equalizer for Tucson.

Howell's equalizer presented the two sides with a tight 1-1 score as they entered the locker room.

LIFC forward Robinson Moshebane netted his second goal of the night in the 49th minute to give the home side a 2-1 lead.

Three minutes later, FC Tucson's Jordan Jones was awarded a chance from the spot after a hand-ball was signaled by the official.

Jones made the most of his opportunity from the penalty spot as he registered FCT's second equalizer of the evening.

The two sides would exchange a few more shots back and forth in the defensive showdown. FC Tucson's backline combined for 31 clearances and ten interceptions.

LAFC loanee goalkeeper Phillip Ejimadu made his return to Tucson following a run in the Open Cup with LAFC.

The 19-year-old keeper registered four stops on the evening.

FC Tucson will be back in action on Saturday, July 20th, when the club travels to Greenville, SC for a showdown against Greenville Triumph SC. This marks the first meeting between the two sides.

Kickoff is set for 4pm and the match will be streamed live via ESPN+.

FC Tucson 2-2 Lansing Ignite FC

Scoring Summary:

LAN: 26' , 23-Robinson Moshebane

LAN: 49' , 23-Robinson Moshebane

TUC: 31' , 95-Ramone Howell

TUC: 56' , 99-Jordan Jones

Disciplinary Summary:

LAN: 50' , 2-Rhys Williams (caution)

TUC: 73' , 13-Luke Hauswirth (caution)

Starting XI: 24-Phillip Ejimadu, 3-José Terrón (2-Austin Ledbetter), 22-Lamar Batista, 12-Kyle Venter (C), 13-Luke Hauswirth, 95-Ramone Howell, 28-Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, 15-Devin Vega, 11-Jamael Cox (19-Zach Wright), 16-Devyn Jambga (9-Guillermo Delgado), 99-Jordan Jones

Subs not used: 7-Roy Abergil, 14-Colin Stripling, 18-Carlos Merancio, 33-Kody Wakasa

Coach Sawatzky quotes:

Opening Statement

"I can't commend the guys enough to battle back and earn a tough road point. There were some interesting calls going in both directions. We executed well enough to find a couple more goals but couldn't quite finish on those opportunities"

On Jordan Jones' late-game equalizer

"We implemented the high-press in the middle of the season to mirror what (Phoenix) Rising is doing on the USL Championship level. Jordan Jones is very similar to PRFC forwards Adam Jahn and Ben Spencer. He's a big striker (6'2, 180 lbs) that can do a lot of good things for us. We would like him to score more goals and I am confident that he will."

On the short training week leading up to the GVL match

"This upcoming week is all about recovery and regeneration. We'll be traveling all day tomorrow so Monday's sole focus will be recovery. We are losing two days of training due to travel so there won't be any strenuous training sessions this week. We will recover from tonight's match, have a successful week of training, and depart to Greenville to grab three points."

Check out the FC Tucson Statistics



United Soccer League One Stories from July 13, 2019


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