Photos: FC Tucson falls to Union Omaha in their first home match of the 2020 season
FC Tucson hosted Union Omaha in their first home game of the USL League One season and the return of team sports to Southern Arizona following several months of COVID19 restrictions. Tucson lost 2-1 on two second half Union goals.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson goalkeeper Carlos Merancio Valdez (1) gives up the game opener, getting beat to the near post by Union Omaha's Lucas Hauswirth (2) in the second half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020. FC Tucson ended up falling 2-1.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
Union Omaha Elma N'For (15), left, and FC Tucson Elivelton Oliveira (6) collide while trying to win a midfield header in the second half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
Union Omaha Devin Boyce (20), left, tangles with FC Tucson Esteban Calvo (5) and picks up a yellow card for persistent infringement in the second half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson's Roberto Alarcon (7) dribbles out of the reach of Union Omaha's Ethan Vanacore-Decker (7) on a run through the midfield in the second half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson's Raheem Sommersall (44) gets clipped from behind by Union Omaha's Devin Boyce (20) in the second half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
Union Omaha's Elma N'For (15) takes a ball to the head while holding off FC Tucson's Derrick Silva (33) in the second half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson's Shak Adams (77) dribbles into the box against Union Omaha's Devin Boyce (20) in the first half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
Union Omaha's Sebastián Contreras (10) takes a knee with the players from both teams during the national anthem before the USL League One game against FC Tucson at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson's Charlie Dennis (10), right, can't quite make the tackle from behind against Union Omaha's John Scearce (17) in the first half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson's Niall Logue (20), left, out jumps Union Omaha's Ethan Vanacore-Decker (7) to win a defensive header in the first half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson's Joshua Coan (11) flies in for a futile attempt to win the ball from Union Omaha's Evan Conway (11) in the first half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson's Roberto Alarcon (7) attempts to come in from behind and poke the ball from Union Omaha's Sebastián Contreras (10) in the first half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson's Raheem Sommersall (44) threads his way past Union Omaha's Evan Conway (11), left, and Devin Boyce (20) in the first half of their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
FC Tucson vs Union Omaha
FC Tucson Ramone Howell (95) gets in some pre-game ball control work as the team gets ready to go up against Union Omaha in their USL League One game at Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2020.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
The out-of-stadium setup of FC Tucson's drive-in watch party made for a whole new experience, with some traditions living on and some new ones born, including pickup soccer games at halftime.
FC Tucson (1-2) begins its longest stint away from home for the season with three straight away games, starting with a showdown against the Richmond Kickers (1-1-1) in Virginia. The Men in Black have lost their last two matches by one goal apiece; the season appears to be at an early tipping point.
The Men in Black lost Saturday's home opener by a final of 2-1 at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson's first professional sporting event since mid-March, when the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports leagues worldwide. The match was played in an empty stadium. FC Tucson's fans congregated downtown as part of a drive-in watch party held at El Toro Flicks.
While the Men in Black take on Union Omaha at Kino North Stadium, fans will be able to watch from a "Drive-in Watch Party" at El Toro Flicks downtown.