Whittier, California – For the second time in 3 years, Calgary Foothills FC are the PDL Western Conference Champions after soundly defeating FC Tucson 2 – 0 tonight in California.  Unlike the back and forth semi-final yesterday against the Colorado Rapids U23 when Foothills left it until the 83rd minute to secure the victory, tonight the team dominated the match from the beginning and never looked back after taking a first half lead.

Foothills FC Head Coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr was pleased with his teams effort “We played possibly our most complete team performance at the perfect time of year, when it counts.  The boys did what they can do, played on the front foot and took the game to FC Tucson.” 

Wheeldon made a couple key adjustments to the starting lineup that proved to be two of the difference makers in todays match. “I was delighted for Willy (Akio) getting a goal and an assist for Ali (Musse’s) goal.”   Willy Akio and Ali Musse were both new additions to the starting squad today and made the most of the opportunity by scoring a goal each to lead the team to victory.   

This was a game that Foothills FC seemed in control of at all times, even when they took the lead they never sat back and defended, instead they continued to attack which made it very difficult for FC Tucson to create ay momentum moving forward.  The Foothills midfield and full backs were almost impenetrable as Tucson tried to get forward to mount their attack and the few times they did break through late in the game, the always reliable trio in the back of Zator, Wheeldon, and Carducci were there to close the door.   

Captain Dominick Zator commented after the game, “We were dominant again tonight. Another clean sheet under our belt, which I think is now 5 in a row. Also the midfield unit worked their socks off in front of us to connect the play and disrupt FC Tucson.  This feels like a stronger team than when we won the Western Conference in 2016”.

The win is the club’s 9th straight victory and 5th consecutive clean sheet.  The team and keeper Marco Carducci have now grown the teams streak to 535 minutes without conceding a goal.  Calgary Foothills FC will now compete in the PDL Semi-Final next Saturday, July 28th at home in Okotoks against the Central Conference Champion Chicago FC United at 7:oopm.  Tickets are available online at www.foothillsfc.ca or at the gate.   

“This truly is a special group,” Coach Wheeldon added, “and I’m proud of the commitment each of them have put in, whether it’s the lads who had to play every minute, the players who saw just a few minutes to the lads that are injured or didn’t travel, they hunt together for a shared goal.  Now onto the final four.”