Arizona United SC Defeats OKC Energy FC to Advance to U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round

Arizona United Soccer Club is slated to face Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy in what is inarguably the biggest ever regular season game for an Arizona soccer team at any level.

Arizona will face Galaxy in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open at Peoria Sports Complex on June 18.

Arizona gained a berth in the next round by defeating the visiting OKC Energy FC 2-1 in an exciting game played at Peoria Sports Complex on May 28.

After having played to a scoreless tie through halftime and most of the second stanza, Arizona United struck first when forward Jon Okafor headed a cross from Matt Kassel diagonally over OKC goalkeeper Samir Badr. The goal broke the deadlock in the 84th minute.

Jon Okafor 

Arizona United benefited from having a man advantage for most of the second half after OKC midfielder Michael Thomas received a red card for a hard foul on Arizona's Kadeem Dacres.

Arizona's lead lasted as long as it could but was erased at the last moment when OKC scored two minutes into extra time after defender Tarek Morad centered the ball and forward Kyle Greig pounded a diving header past Arizona United goalkeeper Evan Newton's left, sending the game into two 15 minute overtime periods.

Neither team scored during the first overtime period, but Arizona did take the lead seven minutes into the second overtime when Dacres directed the ball toward Bradlee Baladez. Baladez settled the ball and fired a right-footer from 12 yards out. The ball found the back of the net to give Arizona United the 2-1 lead.

Kadeem Dacres, Bradlee Baladez, London Woodberry and Joseph Toby celebrate after Baladez scored the go ahead goal

OKC mounted an attack with eight minutes remaining and Arizona United's one-man advantage was erased when Joey Dillon received red card with six minutes to go in the second overtime.

A deflected OKC shot struck the arm of an Arizona United defender and OKC was awarded a penalty kick during the last minute of overtime.

Arizona goalkeeper Newton read OKC's Christian Duke move and dove to his left and was able to block the shot.

"I just tried to read (Duke) and got lucky," Newton said following the game. "I was fortunate enough to make the save and help us win it."

Evan Newton's diving save on a penalty kick preserved Arizona United's 2-1 win over OKC Energy FC

Arizona United's defensive efforts prevented OKC from scoring through one minute of extra time and the final whistle blew with United emerging victorious.

This was an historic win for Arizona United and the team and coaches were well-aware of the meaning of continuing on in the United States' premier national soccer tournament.

Running deep in to the Open Cup was a goal of the team according to Newton.

"Most of us have all been around and played in this tournament the last few years with other sides," He said. "It's an important tournament and we want to do well and that is something we as a group we decided we wanted to focus on."

Arizona United head coach Mike Dellorusso said "Anytime you bring in an MLS squad, especially like LA, it will be good.

"It's an experience that these guys deserve and that's what they wanted," Dellorusso added "We want to win that game. Its not about just about showing up and playing them.

"It's about getting a result."

Arizona United Falls to Chivas Reserves 4-0

The Arizona United SC soccer team failed to find the spark it needed to challenge Chivas USA Reserves and found itself on the losing end of a 4-0 game played at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday.

Arizona United started well against Chivas; however they quickly fell behind when two goals in less than a minute were scored by the Goats.

During the 13th minute of the game Chivas' Kristopher Tyrpak won a challenge against United's Tyler Ruthven, quickly turned and fired shot from 22 yards out that Arizona goalkeeper Evan Newton had no chance to save.

Arizona United Goalkeeper Evan Newton sprawls in an attempt to block a shot by Chivas USA Reserve's Ryan Finley during the first half of United's 4-0 loss to the goats. The ball, tipped by a block attempt by Joey Dillon, was directed over Newton and into net for Chivas' second goal of the game.

Just moments later, Tyrpak sent in a backward crossing pass from the left side into the penalty area where Chivas' Ryan Finley directed the ball toward net. The ball deflected off of United's Joey Dillon leaving Newton no chance to save the shot and the score was quickly 2-0 in favor of the visitors from Los Angeles.

Then in the 41st minute an attempt clear the ball by Arizona's Daniel Antunez found the chest of Finley. Finley quickly settled the ball down and made a looping kick over an out of position Newton to make the score 3-0.

Arizona United's Daniel Antunez leaps in an attempt
 to head the ball toward the Chivas USA Reserves'
 net during the second half of Arizona 4-0 loss to the Goats.

"We knew they were going to be a dynamic team," Antunez said following the game. "We were a little bit exposed to two or three mistakes we had in the midfield where we couldn't recover.

"If we could have knocked one in or maybe two it would have been a different outcome."

Antunez had to leave the game with an abductor injury during the second half of the game saying the demanding schedule of traveling to games on both coasts and a phyical match against Orlando City was staring to take its toll on players.

Chivas added a fourth goal in the 74th minute of the game when a penalty kick was awarded following a straight red card issued to Tyler Ruthven for contact with Tyrpak in the Chivas attacking penalty area.
Finley took the penalty kick an fired the ball in to Newton's right.

Arizona United Head Coach Mike Dellorusso made it quite clear following the game that he's expecting composure and decisiveness from his team.

"We had better play at the beginning (of the game). Dellorusso said. "But that's about it.

"We looked a little shell-shocked (after the first two goals). We need to be better at dealing with adversity."

Dellorusso also hinted he needs a forward player or players to step up to give the team an offensive advantage.

He said the team "is not being efficient in the attacking third. We'll discuss it and we'll see who wants to score goals."

Next up Arizona United will host OKC Energy FC in the third round of the US Open Cup. Then the team hits the road for games at Orange County and Sacramento.

If United wins its game against OKC their next Open Cup opponent will be the MLS team LA Galaxy whose roster includes Landon Donovan who is arguably the best soccer player in US history.

Arizona United Proves It Can Play With League's Best

One of the newest members of Arizona United SC, Schillo Tshuma (right), pushes past Orlando City Defender Luke Boden during Saturday's USL PRO contest at Peoria Sports Complex. Orland City won the game 1-0.

Arizona United Soccer Club continued to impress by playing a surprisingly even match against Orlando City in a USL PRO League soccer game played at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday night.

Orlando City was atop the USL PRO league table coming into the game with an unbeaten 6-0-3 record and a league-leading 21 points while Arizona was fourth on the table with 10 points.

Save an own goal scored in Orlando City's favor during the game's eighth minute, both teams had a nearly equal number of shots taken during the game - 11 for Orlando City and 10 for Arizona United.

Orlando City won the game 1-0.

The own goal came when Orlando City's Adama Mbengue tried to send a cross in low across the goal box. Arizona United's Bryan Gallego took a lunging kick at the ball in an attempt to clear but the ball was steered toward net instead and looped over Arizona United goalkeeper Evan Newton who had no chance to deflect the ball.

Arizona United goalkeeper Evan Newton makes a leaping save to deflect a shot over the net during Saturday's USL PRO League match at Peoria Sports Complex.

"The first half we gave them a little too much respect," Newton said after the game.  "We got punished on a lucky goal.

"I think the rest of the game it was more in favor of us, especially in the second half."

This game was yet another test of Arizona United, the newest playing franchise in USL PRO.  The team was playing its fourth match in nine days including three games on the road which had the team criss-crossing the country.

Arizona United split two league games in the East, losing to Richmond 4-0 and beating Harrisburg 1-0. Both games were played back-to-back in an inclement weather.

The team then traveled to Portland to play a second round game in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where they faced Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers U-23 team.  Arizona United overcame a 2-0 deficit starting in the 84th minute and scored three goals in 10 minutes to win the game 3-2.

As for Saturday's game, this is yet another learning experience for the young Arizona United team.

"We'll learn from it," said head coach Mike Dellorusso after the game. "It was a good effort. I thought our boys deserved better. 

"But at the end of the day we didn't come out. We played a little bit scared in the first half. This teams got to build on some confidence. We'll learn from it and we'll get better."

Guinness International Champions Cup Moved from Glendale, AZ to Berkeley, CA

Valley soccer fans will not get to see Cristiano Ronaldo (left) following Friday's announcement that the Real Madrid/Inter Milan game has been moved from Glendale, Ariz. to Berekeley ,Calif.

The Guinness International Champions Cup announced today that the July 26 match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan has been moved from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale to California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif.

A press release issued by Relevent Sports, Derris and Company and the University of California announced details of the game to be played in Berkeley. The announce did not disclose a reason for the game's move.

Responses to inquiries made to Relevent Sports and University of Phoenix Stadium as to why the game was moved have not been received.

There has been speculation on social media sites among soccer fans in the valley that ticket sales may have been lagging, thus precipitating a move.

Another consideration is that the scheduled date of the game could conflict with the Arizona Cardinals first public weekend practice if the team was to follow the same training schedule as they did in 2013.  In 2013 the Cardinals had to vacate University of Phoenix Stadium for two days so the field could be prepared for the game between Real Madrid and LA Galaxy.

The game move is a disappointment for Phoenix soccer fans who will miss out on seeing top notch international soccer stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Rodrigo Palacio.

Arizona United an 'Overnight' Success?

All eyes are on the ball as members of Arizona United SC jockey for position against the Charlotte Eagles during a free kick on Saturday, May 3, at Peoria Sports Complex.  Arizona defeated the Eagles 2-1.

Would it be premature to say Arizona United SC has been an overnight success?

Just six weeks out from starting to sign players and field a team, the Michael Dellorusso-led side has managed to score seven points in the USL PRO standings and are currently ranked sixth in the league after playing four games.

The latest three points were added by virtue of a 2-1 win over the visiting Charlotte Eagles in a game played at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday.

Arizona United (2-1-1) took the lead during 42nd minute of the game when Kadeem Dacres found a ball centered by Matt Kassel that richocheted through congestion in front of the net.  Dacres took a quick touch with his right foot to set up the finish with his left that passed over Charlotte goal keeper Brock Duckworth and into the corner of the net.

It was the first professional goal for Dacres who was making his second start for United.

"I would say it's a long time coming because I thought I was going to get it a little bit earlier," said Dacres.

"The ball popped out and I was just focusing on getting it on target.

Arizona United doubled its lead in the second half when yet another cross from the right by Kassel was headed to the left by a Charlotte defender. United's Bryan Gallego quickly sent the ball back into the goal area where Bradlee Baladez directed the ball into net in the 64th minute.

It was an important goal because just 12 minutes later Charlotte's Jorge Herrera scored from just inside the 18-yard area.

United held firm during the remaining 14 minutes of the game. Charlotte pressed hard but could not penetrate the Arizona back line with enough space to gain any strong scoring opporunites.

Arizona now heads to the road where they will play three games in five days. They'll face Richmond and Harrisburg on May 9th and 10th respectively and then will page the Portland Timbers U-23 squad in Portland on May 13 in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Arizona United returns home to face league-leading Orlando City team on May 17.