Consider FC Tucson's philosophy for tonight's away match against the Pali Blues as thinking outside the box and inside the box at the same time.
Conventional wisdom says when you're on the road that you play more conservatively and hope to get one point.
But coach Rick Schantz says Tucson's new semipro soccer team will take an already forward-thinking approach and add to it for tonight's 7 o'clock match in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Boosted by his team's domination in the second half of last week's 2-1 loss at Fresno - FC Tucson outshot the Fuego 9-2 in the final 45 minutes - Schantz is hoping for strength in numbers inside the Blues' 18-yard box.
"It'll be on a bigger field" tonight than the field in Fresno, Schantz said earlier this week.
"I think that plays more into our style. I think we'll go with three forwards instead of two.
"I learned a lot about our team (last week). I learned we have a fighting spirit. We're maybe not as technical as I'm used to coaching.
"But we're explosive and we can create lots of chances. We proved we can really get forward in numbers."
In its first match ever in the USL Premier Development League, FC Tucson fell behind 1-0 in Fresno last Saturday. It equalized in the 61st minute only to watch the Fuego take all three points on a freakish 50-yard goal in the 83rd minute.
"We were attacking in waves after our goal, and their goal came completely against the run of play," Schantz said.
"It was a heartbreaker. But we know what it takes to get a win."
Against the Pali Blues, who drew 1-1 at Orange County in their first match of the season last week, it might just take that one extra man in the box.
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