Photos: FC Tucson drops Ventura County 1-0 to reach USL 2 Western Conference final
FC Tucson gets a date in the western conference finals with their 1-0 win over Ventura County in the USL League Two playoffs, July 21, 2024, Tucson, Ariz. FCT is the only team to beat the Fusion this season, notching a tie and a win in the regular season before the playoff victory.
Ventura County's Callen Lewis (2) pops the ball into the face of FC Tucson Jonah Kawamara (24) in the fight for possession in the second half of their USL League 2 western conference playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024. FCT rode a first half score to 1-0 win and a spot in the conference finals.
Ventura County's Cason Goodman (9) makes flying stab at the ball but only gets FC Tucson defender Ellis Jones (4) and a yellow card in the first half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
Ventura County's Mathias Winum (4) gets to the corner kick ahead of FC Tucson defender Thomas Gray (5) in the second half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
FC Tucson midfielder Lars Walczyk (6) loses the race to the ball to Ventura County's Mikkel Goeling (15) at the top of the Fusion box late in the second half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
Ventura County's Cason Goodman (9) grabs a lot of jersey trying to keep FC Tucson defender Thomas Gray (5) the header in the first half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
Ventura County's Mathias Winum (4) makes the sweeping slide tackle to keep FC Tucson forward James Jennings (11) from getting upfield in the second half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
Ventura County's Nicholas Releford (21) leaps in and makes contact with FC Tucson forward Joao Belmudes (10) in the second half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024. The foul was enough for Releford’s first yellow of the night, he eventually picked up his second in stoppage time for a red card.
Ventura County's Siddiq Lezzar (12) flies in with a last gasp block on a shot from FC Tucson forward Joao Belmudes (10) in the first half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
FC Tucson midfielder Lars Walczyk (6) gets squeezed out against Ventura County's Erick Serrano (5) in pursuit of the ball in the first half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
FC Tucson defender Duvan Canchila (14), top, and Ventura County's Cason Goodman (9) collide trying to win the header near midfield in the first half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
Ventura County’s Mikkel Goeling (15) gets the initial block on a shot by FC Tucson midfielder Lars Walczyk (6), but Walczyk would gather the rebound and fire home the would-be game winner in the first half of the teams’ USL League Two Western Conference semifinal playoff match Sunday in Tucson
Ventura County's Palmer Bank (19), left, gets a stud to the ball ahead of FC Tucson forward Imsael Ruiz (20) in the second half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
Ventura County's Nicholas Releford (21) drags down FC Tucson forward Paul Caliri (9) trying to keep him from possession in the second half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
FC Tucson defender Elliot Forestier (3) comes over the top of Ventura County's Buba Fofanah (10) to keep him from gathering in the ball near the FCT box in the second half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
FC Tucson defender Thomas Gray (5) crashes the box but can’t redirect the corner on goal against Ventura County in the second half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
Ventura County's Mikkel Goeling (15) gets sent to the turf by FC Tucson midfielder William Arnesen (7) in the first half of their USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
FC Tucson defender Ellis Jones (4), top, jumps into the arms of defender Thomas Gray (5) as the two celebrate the final whistle and 1-0 win against Ventura County in the USL League 2 western conference semifinal playoff game,Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2024.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
FC Tucson is one of eight teams remaining in the USL League Two playoffs. After defeating rival Ventura County 1-0 Sunday night in Tucson, FCT travels to Peoria, Illinois, host of the next four-team pod, to face Oakland, California's Project 510 in the Western Conference Final.
FC Tucson goes for its first conference championship in unfamiliar territory.
FC Tucson’s historic 2024 postseason run ended Sunday afternoon after a barrage of goals from the host Peoria City. The Men in Black lost 5-1 in the USL League Two national semifinals after the home side scored five times in the second half.