With the Dynamo set to face FC Tucson next Wednesday at BBVA Compass Stadium in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, here is background on the third-year club.
Official name: FC Tucson
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Founded: 2010 (Arizona’s first PDL team)
Division: USL Premier Development League (also known as the PDL), the top-level men’s amateur soccer competition in the U.S and fourth tier of the U.S. Soccer pyrmaid. The PDL features 62 teams divided into four conferences.
Stadium: Kino Sports Complex. The stadium capacity is approximately 2,000. Construction of a new stadium is currently underway and is expected to be finished by November 2013.
Manager: Rick Shantz has managed the team since its founding in 2010. He has over 15 years of coaching experience after playing at the University of Portland and with the Tucson Amigos of USL.
Premier Development League Success: In its debut season the club went 9-3-4, earning 34 points in 16 matches. It finished in second place in the Southwest division, just seven points behind the Ventura County Fusion. The club was named the 2012 PDL Rookie Franchise of the Year by United Soccer Leagues and the Premier Developmental League.
Current Campaign: FC Tucson is currently in second place in the Southwest division with 4 points and a record of 1-0-1.
