FC Tucson Secures Playoff Berth, But…

FC Tucson wrapped up their season with a 1-1 draw against Coachella FC on Sunday night at Kino North Stadium. The match faced delays due to inclement weather and a lost team bus.

Head coach Sebastian Pineda expressed his concerns post-match. “The guys know that we struggle against this type of opposition,” Pineda said. “If we perform like this next weekend, it’s not going to be enough.”

Coachella’s Vicente Silva opened the scoring in the first half. His shot, through a congested penalty box, eluded FC Tucson’s goalkeeper Nils Roth, who was filling in for Alex Svetanoff.

During halftime, Pineda made crucial tactical changes. The team had difficulty adapting to Coachella’s 3-5-2 formation, similar to the tactic Argentina used under Carlos Bilardo to win the 1986 World Cup. “Our backline was dropping too much, allowing too much space,” he noted. Adjustments were made to close down these spaces more effectively.

The second half saw FC Tucson limit Coachella’s chances, resulting in heightened frustration for the visitors. Coachella FC received multiple yellow cards, including a second yellow for center-back Alberto Villa.

FC Tucson’s D’Andre Pickett equalized just before the hour mark. A long-range shot from Duvan Canchila earned a corner kick, which Pickett headed home after a precise delivery from Canchila.

Despite the goal, Coachella’s goalkeeper Josiah Emerson delivered a standout performance, preventing further goals from FC Tucson. The match concluded with shared points, and Coachella supporters joined the team for a vibrant post-match celebration.

By the end of the match, FC Tucson players were aware of Ventura County’s 3-0 victory over ASMG FC. They secured a playoff spot regardless of their match result. “We wanted a better result, but we’ll take the tie,” Pickett remarked. “We’ll get to work on Tuesday and be ready for Friday.”

Kino North Stadium will host the first and second round playoff matches, featuring teams from the Southwest and Mountain Divisions. Ventura County will face Albion SC Colorado on Friday at 5 p.m., followed by FC Tucson against Flatirons Rush SC at 7:30 p.m. The winners will advance to a match on Sunday at 7 p.m.