A couple of familiar faces scored as FC Tucson punched a ticket to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup second round and set up an all-Arizona derby.
FC Tucson dispatched San Nicolas FC of the United Premier Soccer League 3-0 in the first round of the U.S. Open at Kino North Stadium on Wednesday night.
FC Tucson will host Arizona United SC of the USL at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18.
In the sixth minute, midfielder Dom Papa opened up the scoring off a free kick from midfielder Minh Vu. Papa played on FC Tucson’s first PDL team in 2012.
In the 31st minute, former Rincon/University High School and Pima College star Vu drew a penalty kick when his cross was handled. Vu scored the penalty kick after two San Nicolas players — goalkeeper Jose Miranda and defender Erly Garcia — were shown yellow cards for dissent.
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In the 37th minute, San Nicolas went down to 10 men as defender Cruz Hernandez was sent off for a foul on FC Tucson defender Gordon Hall.
Vu scored again after midfielder Jon Bakero slipped a pass past the San Nicolas FC defense in the 57th minute. Miranda made a diving save but Vu got the rebound and scored.
San Nicolas FC had a reputation for being a feisty side as they were suspended for six matches and placed on violent conduct probation for a brawl with rival La Maquina FC in the UPSL quarterfinals.
Last season, Chula Vista FC upset FC Tucson 2-1 in extra time after the Men in Black missed a penalty kick in the 99th minute. Chula Vista FC would make it to the third round, beating Arizona United 3-0 after ousting FC Tucson.
United is in its third year and is based out of Peoria. FC Tucson has only played Arizona United once, in February, in the Desert Diamond Cup.
Arizona United won 3-1, but the friendly was made up of three periods of 30 minutes and most of FC Tucson’s current side had yet to join. During the 2013 U.S. Open Cup run, the Men in Black beat Phoenix FC of the USL Pro.
Arizona United is in 11th place in the 15-team USL west division.