Arizona's United Soccer Leagues pro franchise, FC Tucson, announced its 2012 schedule Thursday.
After three games on the road beginning May 5, the club returns to its home field, Kino Sports Complex, for its home opener against the Southern California Seahorses. FCT plays in the nine-team Premier Development League Southwest Division.
The soccer at this level isn't the best caliber in the U.S., but quality nonetheless with a lot of younger talent trying to ascend the pyramid of American pro soccer. Teams from this league also get a shot at the annual U.S. Open Cup tournament that welcomes teams from Major League Soccer, USL and other lower-level leagues to play each other for the championship of American club soccer.
The Seattle Sounders are the reigning Open Cup champions three year in a row.
FC Tucson plays a 16-match regular-season schedule through the heat of summer, May through July 14. The team has been playing against MLS clubs here in Arizona for preseason training. FC Tucson is also the host, but not a participant, of the Desert Diamond Cup this month and next, in which four MLS teams will play each other in a preseason tournament at Kino.
More info here about the team and its schedule.
"Now that Tucsonians know when and where we'll be playing, we hope they plan on seeing some great soccer during the summer," coach Rick Schantz said in a team statement.
Season tickets go on sale Feb. 22, 10 games for $80 for an adult ticket. There will be two other games included in the season-ticket package that are not yet on the schedule, at least one presumably a U.S. Open Cup match.
All who buy season tickets get a team scarf with purchase.