Matches with 1-0 scorelines have become the norm for FC Tucson, but the lack of goals hasn't kept the team's games from oozing drama and excitement.
Saturday night's 1-0 win over the Fresno Fuego was no different.
Before 686 at Kino Sports Complex North Field No. 5, the men in black played one of their most dominating halves of the season in the first 45 minutes and then survived a chippy second half in which they struggled to put the Fuego away.
Four of the last five FC Tucson matches were 1-0 wins.
FC Tucson eventually did reach the final whistle to run its winning streak to five in a row overall and four straight in the USL Premier Development League. The club is now tied with Fresno for the third place with 12 points. Fresno has played four more matches than Tucson.
"These guys are trying to give me a heart attack," FC Tucson coach Rick Schantz said. "We were really happy with the flow of the play (in the first half). But we're still missing that final ball and we're missing the quality on the end of our attack."
FC Tucson had eight clear opportunities at a goal before its goalkeeper, Brendan Roslund even touched the ball. It finished the half with eight shots to just one for Fresno.
The Tucson backline handled just about everything with aplomb in the first half. Fresno put so little pressure on the four defenders that they were handling the ball as often as the midfielders and forwards.
"I've got to give the guys in front of me a lot of credit," Roslund said. "They made it easy on me tonight."
The 90-minute clean sheet ran FC Tucson's scoreless streak in league matches to 366 minutes. The last time it gave up a goal in the PDL was May 5 at Fresno.
FC Tucson was rewarded in the 34th minute Saturday. Reid Schmitt's corner led to a scramble in front of goal in which defender Kareem Smith managed a strike that was blocked by the midsection of a defender standing at the post. Kevin King had a second bite at it, and another deflection went to Dom Papa for a easy tap-in.
"There was a little bit of a scramble," Papa said. "You're always trying to fight and kick and see if you can put one in. I just happened to get the last touch through the guy's legs."
For Fresno, the loss extended its winless streak in the league to six matches. The Fuego has taken just three out of a possible 18 points since its 2-1 win over Tucson last month.
FC Tucson will be on the road for its next two matches, playing the division's two Utah teams. It will face BYU on Tuesday and then take on the Ogden Outlaws on Thursday. The club's next home match will be June 14 against the L.A. Misioneros at North Field No. 5. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
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