Let Dan Tanna know: FC Tucson earns 7th league win

Las Vegas goes down thanks to Sinclair brace; Velazco, Ramos with assists

Posted Jun 15, 2014

Ted Prezelski
TucsonSentinel.com

It wasn’t the strongest performance from FC Tucson, but it got the job done as the local men defeated the Las Vegas Mobsters 2–0 at Kino North Stadium on Saturday night.

“Championship teams get it done even when they don’t perform well,” said head coach Rick Schantz. “We are 7-1-1 in conference. They’ve had quite a few shutouts. We are a good team with good talent … we talk about national championships not division championships.”

For the first time, the pairing of Odaine Sinclair and Vance Rookwood started up top. They were, as usual, supported by attacking midfielder Ricardo Velazco. Putting that trio together paid of quickly with Rookwood threatening early, and Velazco and Sinclair combining for the first goal in the eighth minute.

Las Vegas found space for their own chances too, but got few on frame. Forward Danny Musovski had an early shot that dinged off the crossbar. In all, Musovski had two shots on frame.

Tucson didn’t add to their lead in the first half, but Las Vegas grew increasingly and visibly frustrated with their inability to score. A tussle between Velazco and Mobster Sergio Burgos, who ended the match with five fouls, earned him a yellow card. It took only a few minutes before Kevin Partida earned his place in the referee’s book for a slam that sent Velazco into the air near the touchline at midfield.

Burgos got another yellow again in the 64th minute and earned an early shower, leaving his team a player down for the last part of the match.

It took a few minutes of pressure on the undermanned side, but Tommy Ramos, after coming on as a substitute, dished the ball to Sinclair who scored his second of the evening in minute 69.

Las Vegas wasn’t giving up. They had two shots in stoppage time, both saved by Billy Thompson.

FC Tucson next takes on Southwest Division team Ventura County Fusion. The Fusion are in fourth place in their division with 9 points out of 7 matches. That match will take place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Kino North Stadium.