Donny Toia’s return not enough for FC Tucson, which falls 1-0 to Richmond Kickers

The Kickers beat FC Tucson 1-0 on a night in which the former Tucson Soccer Academy, Canyon Del Oro High School and Pima College star entered as a sub in the 75th minute.

“It was good. Obviously, it would be more exciting to come on when we’re winning, but still a good feeling to come back, be on the pitch and help out the team as much as possible,” said Toia, a former Major League Soccer standout.

Wednesday’s match was originally scheduled for May 20 — 5/20 — but was rescheduled due to COVID-19 issues with the Kickers. The delay allowed Toia, signed earlier this month, to make his USL League One debut on what the club called “520 Day 2.”

“I’m really happy to see Donny back out there,” said FC Tucson coach Jon Pearlman. “I mean, obviously, he’s as disappointed as anybody (with the loss) — but, again, he’s going to mix it up with the best of them. He’s gonna fight every minute, tooth and nail, for the badge and for the city.”

Kickers forward Jonathan Bolanos scored a 60th-minute goal against the run of play, serving as the night’s only score. FC Tucson outshot Richmond 14-8 and had 57.4% of the possession, but couldn’t break through. Richmond improved to 6-4-3, which Tucson fell to 3-7-2.

“It’s just so disappointing to have that kind of controlled effort against a top team, really absolutely dominate play, absolutely control every facet of the game,” Pearlman said. “But again, it’s a game of the scoring, I’m disappointed for the fans, I’m disappointed not int he effort but just in the final execution, these final moments.”

FC Tucson has last five home matches in a row streak and now has a six-match winless stretch at Kino North Stadium. They are 0-4-1 at home in league play, with the fifth loss coming in Lamar Hunt U.S. Ope Cup play.

FC Tucson opened the season with a 4-0 loss at Richmond. It was the Kickers’ first action since the Men in Black topped them in back to back weeks in Tucson to close out the regular season and in the playoffs.

“I know I sound like a broken record, but, again, we’re a better team than we were,” Pearlman said. “It was 4-0 when we were there, we controlled the game, they were all over the place trying anything they could do to get out of this place alive.”

Toia came on and played forward as FC Tucson were hoping to salvage a point. Pearlman said he’s on 20 minutes as he get back to full fitness.

Toia said in training he’s played offense and defense equally. He played forward in the USL and lower but in the MLS he was a defender.

“I wasn’t expecting to play the No. 9 right off the bat,” Toia said. “Every time I step on the pitch, I’m going to give everything I’ve got and so that felt good.”

FC Tucson returns to action on Sunday, when they host top of the table Greenville Triumph SC (7-4-2) for fireworks night.

• FC Tucson midfielder Charlie Machell, who was slated to start, was a late scratch. He was replaced by Daniel Bedoya. Pearlman said Machell’s allergies flared up.

• Richmond defender Dakota Barnathan and head coach Darren Sawatzky returned to Kino Stadium. Barnathan played for FC Tucson last season and Sawatzky coached the Men in Black in 2019.