Tucson, AZ – The Greenville Triumph Soccer Club continued to spin their wheels in a push towards the playoffs, as a 2-1 road loss to FC Tucson marked their fourth consecutive loss. A late start for the Triumph got even later, with the start of the match pushed back an hour due to severe weather in the area. The match kicked off an hour late, with the clubs each looking for a big boost to their respective playoff chances as they looked up from below the playoff cut line.
After turning back a few early attacking runs from Tucson, Greenville hit an offensive stride midway through the first half that saw a series of corner kicks and shots on goal. Greenville nearly broke through a few occasions, highlighted by a JJ Donnelly attempt barely saved out of goal by an outstretched Wallace Lapsley. Just before the half, though, a lapse by Greenville’s defense allowed Tucson’s Shak Adams to find an open lane inside the box that he powerfully finished to put the home side up 1-0 at the half.
In the 58th minute, Shak Adams struck again, as Tucson took a 2-0 lead. Adams’ goal marked the fourth straight match the Triumph have given up two or more goals. Greenville tried their best to fight off fatigue and claw back in the late stages, with a great chance at goal in the 81st minute on a cross from Abdi Mohamed that just missed Don Smart one-on-one with the keeper. The dying embers of the match saw Greenville cut the deficit in half, as Don Smart scored to tally the first Triumph goal since their August 7th loss to Tormenta. Smart’s goal was not enough, however, as time ran out on Greenville’s comeback attempt and cemented a 2-1 win for Tucson.
As they look ahead in hopes of snapping the losing streak, Triumph SC kicks off a run of six of their final nine matches at home as they host Toronto FC II Friday, September 3rd at 7:00 PM from Legacy Early College. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
