By Garrett Cleverly
PHOENIX (Monday, July 7, 2014) – FC Tucson clinched its first-ever division title on Friday night in a 1-0 win over Albuquerque Sol FC. Vance Rookwood hammered home the lone goal in the match in the 68th minute.
FC Tucson will now play host to a one-match playoff contest against the second-place team from the Southwest Division. Winner of this match will advance to a Western Conference final four. Highlights from the 1-0 win can be viewed here. FC Tucson has one final regular-season match remaining, which will be played at home on July 12 against the Real Colorado Foxes.
The division title is the first in the three-year history of FC Tucson. In 2010, FC Tucson finished second in the Southwest Division and dropped the first playoff match in club history to the Seattle Sounders U-23, 2-1. The second place finish in 2010 guaranteed FC Tucson a spot in the 2011 U.S. Open Cup in which they defeated Phoenix FC and the San Antonio Scorpions before falling to the Houston Dynamo in the third round. FC Tucson did not qualify for the playoffs in 2011.
Arizona United SC
Arizona United SC’s road woes continued on Friday afternoon in a 4-2 loss to the LA Galaxy II at the StubHub Center on Field 3.
Los Dos jumped out to a commanding lead in the first half and opened up its goal tally in the 16th minute on a Bradford Jamieson finish from inside the box. Charlie Rugg recorded a brace with goals in the 18th and 45th minutes, while Daniel Antúnez accidentally redirected a cross back into Arizona United SC’s net for an own goal in the 41st minute.
The second half was a better showing from Arizona United SC who added a goal in the 76th minute on a penalty from Jon Okafor. Captain Matt Kassel hammered home a screamer in the 90th minute.
Arizona United SC will head out on the road this weekend for a contest against Orange County Blues FC at 7 p.m. Next home match is on July 19 against Orange County Blues FC, and tickets may be purchased at arizonaunited.com/tickets.