BVN Sports: Arizona United Earns a Draw Against LA Galaxy II

Arizona United SC gained a point in the USL PRO standings by rallying to earn a draw against LA Galaxy II in a game played in front of 2,818 at Peoria Sports Complex Friday evening.

Galaxy II came into the game ranked second in the USL PRO standings with a 3-1-1 record, while Arizona United was 1-1-0 after its first two games against OKC Energy and Sacramento Republic respectively.

LA (3-1-2) tallied the game's first goal during the 35th minute when Galaxy II defender Oscar Sorto picked United's Daniel Antunez's pocket near midfield and had an open field run until he sent a crossing pass to sprinting midfielder Raul Mendiola. Mendiola used his second touch to fire a shot on goal. Arizona United's goalkeeper Evan Newton came out to cut down the angle and deflect Mendiola's shot which still hit the net just inside the far post.

United (1-1-1) started slow for the second straight game, conceding possession to Galaxy II during the first 20 minutes of the game.

Following the game United Head Coach Mike Dellorusso discussed the focus and leadership he expects from the opening kickoff.

"The first half is the players half and they need to get a little bit more ownership; demand a little bit more out of each other," Dellorusso said. "It's all a learning process," he added. "We weren't forcing the game at all. The harder we made it on them then the game opened up and we were able to keep the ball a little better.

"I needed somebody to show some sort of leadership out there and we had a lot of guys step up in the second half and do that."

Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso

That leadership paid off in the second half as Arizona was able to tally the equalizer during a sequence in which Joseph Toby and Jon Okafor teamed up to quickly move the ball down the left side. A pass from Okafor to Brandon Swartzendruber drew LA defenders to the top of the 18-yard box and Swartzendruber was able to find Paolo DelPiccolo in space. DelPiccolo initially overran the ball but was able to turnback and wrap his foot around the ball to and beat LA goalkeeper Cody Laurendi with a shot to the far post.

Arizona United Midfielder Paolo DelPiccolo (6) wraps his foot around the ball before LA Galaxy II's Aleksander Djokovic can block a shot attempt. DelPicollo's shot found the back of net to tie the game a one goal apiece.

"It's big. It's big to equalize." DelPiccolo said after the game. "We came out slow.

"To get a goal and even things up and then push for the win, it was big."

DelPiccolo went on the say the biggest change in the second half was attitude. "We were just a little tense in the first half; not energized enough. When you're more focused more things work in your favor."

Focus is what Dellorusso is counting on.

"Now we just have to take that to our next game and hopefully they can start with that attitude Saturday," Dellorusso said.

Arizona United's next game is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, against the Charlotte Eagles at the Peoria Sports Complex. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Click here for BVNSports' gallery of photos from the game.

Members of Arizona United's supporter organization - La Furia Roja - parade through the infield prior to the start of Saturday's match against LA Galaxy II.