With a win under their belt against Stars FC, the FC 大象APPMen are heading into a playoff scenario against their in-state rival in the last regular season match.
The Men in Black (7-2-2) host Stars FC (1-8-2) Sunday, after defeating the Stars 5-2 at Ottawa University in Surprise on May 20.
鈥淚t was part of our main objective starting the season to get into the playoffs and have a run at it again like the form that we had last season,鈥 said FC 大象APPhead coach Sebastian Pineda. 鈥淭he fact that it is in our hands again is very positive and we will go into Sunday with that in mind and that responsibility and the guys are ready.鈥
FC Tucson's midfielder Justin Milovanov (13) comes up to congratulate forward Paul Caliari (9) after he pulled them even at 1-1 with Ventura County in the first half of their USL League Two match in 大象APPon July 3, 2025.
In the first match at Stars FC, forward Paul Caliari scored FC Tucson鈥檚 first goal of the regular season, then forward Alexis Ledoux, midfielder Jesse Wangusi, forward Ismael Ruiz and midfielder Aron Martinez scored.
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FC 大象APPclosed out its road schedule with a 1-1 draw at then-third-place Capo FC on Wednesday. Wangusi scored in the 51st minute, but Capo got the equalizer in the 87th minute.
FC Tucson, which is on a four-match unbeaten streak, went 2-2-2 on the road this season.
The USL League Two playoffs feature 35 teams. Eight teams from the Western Conference get in, the division champions, plus a wildcard from each division.
Although FC 大象APPbeat the Ventura County Fusion in their last home match 2-1 on July 3 鈥 their third straight win over the Fusion 鈥 Ventura County has clinched a spot in the playoffs.
The Fusion (8-2-1) close out the regular season hosting sixth-place AMSG (5-3-3), so it looks like VC will win the division for the second straight season. FC 大象APPtook first from Ventura County after the July win, but the Fusion moved back atop the division when they beat Redlands FC 3-2 on Wednesday.
FC 大象APPlooks to make the USL League Two playoffs for the eighth time in its 10th season at that level. Starting in 2014, FCT made the Premier Development League (before they rebranded as USL League Two) five times in a row.
Should FC 大象APPmake the playoffs this season, it will be the second postseason appearance for the second-year head coach Pineda.
Pineda, who played for FC 大象APPin 2015 and 2017, said he credits the players, staff and front office for the chance to make the playoffs again.
FC Tucson's goalkeeper Matheus Rohrmens (30) makes the sprawling attempt on a Ventura County shot that slipped just wide in the second half of their USL League Two match in 大象APPon July 3, 2025.
鈥淲e give 100% and commit a lot of time and effort to make this happen so the players can perform their best and give us their 100%, but credit to last year鈥檚 team and credit to this year鈥檚 team of how they perform on the field, of how they behave, how they understand their responsibility that they have,鈥 Pineda said. 鈥淭hey understand that once you get into playoffs everything can happen and just to get in there is a positive thing for the season and now we look forward. Of course, again, we have to win Sunday but the group knows what鈥檚 at stake and they will be ready for it.鈥
FC 大象APPmourns FCTY, Vail SC teen
FC 大象APPwill have a 17-second moment of silence for FC 大象APPYouth and Vail Soccer Club player Daydrian Raymond Brown.
The 15-year-old was shot to death last weekend at a house party; his jersey number was 17.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an unbelievable loss for the community, for the club, as well, but it鈥檚 tough on the family,鈥 Pineda said.
Pineda also leads the FC 大象APPUSL Academy.
Vail SC set up a for Brown鈥檚 mother, Dahlia. FCTY and Vail SC coaches will receive free entry to the match.
Home sweet home
FC 大象APPhas won seven in a row at home and is unbeaten in its last 13 league matches at the friendly confines of Kino North Stadium.
In 2023, when FC 大象APPself-relegated to USL League Two, it went 5-0 at home and was 9-1-2 at Kino last year, but that includes two wins in the playoffs en route to the Western Conference championship.
Men in the black
As of press time, FC 大象APPleads the 144-team league in scoring with 55 goals. Second place is Lionsbridge FC with 48.
FC Tucson's Lucas Gonzalez (32) jumps for joy after notching the the team鈥檚 third goal of the night in the second half against City SC in their USL League Two game in 大象APPon June 28, 2025.
FCT also has the best goal differential with +44. Asheville City SC is second with +40.
鈥淚 think they have done the job,鈥 Pineda said about FC Tucson鈥檚 offense. 鈥淲e have been able to score multiple players, multiple positions, which is great, we鈥檙e not relying on one player to score all the goals.
鈥淗opefully, some of the attacking players can get in their run here in the playoff diamond, can continue to score goals. 鈥淭hey know what can happen, just trusting the process and trusting with how hard we鈥檝e been working in training.鈥
Redlands FC, currently in fourth place, has the second-best goal differential in FC Tucson鈥檚 Southwest Division, +24. It also has the second-most goals in the Southwest with 40.
Many of the Men in Black鈥檚 goals came in their 19-0 and 16-0 wins over Coachella FC, which finished the season with a league-worst -118 goal differential. Miami AC had the second-worst goal differential at -43.
Coachella only managed one point in 12 matches, a 5-5 draw with Stars FC, who head to 大象APPin eighth place out of nine Southwest Division teams.
Fan appreciation deals
Sunday鈥檚 match is Fan Appreciation Night. FC 大象APPmerchandise will be 20% off, carne asada tacos will be $2, and a 12-ounce beer will be $4.
