Tucson, Arizona — FC Tucson will host the 2023 FC Tucson Desert Showcase, presented by Visit Tucson, February 8-18, 2023 at the Kino North Complex in Tucson, Arizona.
The pre-season friendly will feature two former MLS champions. Headlining the event are Real Salt Lake, featuring Tucson native Justen Grad, and Chicago Fire FC, featuring Swiss World Cup goalscorer and former Liverpool player Xherdan Shaqiri.
Additionally, Lamar Hunt US Open Cup finalists Sacramento Republic FC, USL Championship finalists Louisville City FC, Western Conference finalists Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, El Paso Locomotive FC and New Mexico United. There are seven USL championship clubs, including , Detroit City FC and Phoenix. Rising FC.
This is the 13th straight season that FC Tucson has hosted an MLS preseason team.
“We are opening this era of FC Tucson ownership with the continuation of professional football matches in Tucson, and a huge summer with the Women’s World Cup, FC Tucson’s USL League 2 Men’s Football and FC Tucson’s Women’s Football. We are excited to energize the Tucson football community ahead of the WPSL team,” said FC Tucson founder and new owner John Perlman in a statement. “Jeff and I would like to thank the Pima County Stadium District, Visit He Tucson, our dedicated staff, our partners, and all the clubs who have helped make this event happen this year.”
FC Tucson also announced that Tucson native Marc Biagi will head coach the USL League 2 team and Kelly Pearce will return for a third year as FC Tucson Women’s head coach.
