Arizona’s Pro Soccer Franchise Starts Anew

Arizona’s Pro Soccer Franchise Starts Anew

It has been a whirlwind few months for professional soccer in Arizona.

With less than two months left before the start of the 2014 season, Arizona’s soccer team—Phoenix FC Wolves—lost its franchise rights for its USL PRO team.

The same day it was announced that Arizona United Soccer Club, under the leadership of Peoria businessman Kyle Eng, would the fill void left by Phoenix FC Wolves’ departure.

As Arizona United ramped up for its upcoming season, many questions were left unanswered about Phoenix FC’s departure.

Eng, worked diligently with Director of Soccer Operations Kevin Stevenson to find a head coach who could search out, sign and lead players needed for the upcoming season.

Michael Dellorusso, an assistant coach at the University of Maryland, was announced as Arizona United’s head coaching choice on March 28.

“Michael Dellorusso represents the bright future of soccer in Arizona,” said Eng, “He will bring a winning tradition to the Valley and we look forward to his close interaction with our fans and putting a great product on the field.”

With one week to go before the team’s first game, no players had yet been signed. However, during the past few days a flurry of announcements have revealed the names of 16 players who have come to terms with the team.

Two Coloradans were the first announced as signees with the team—Brad Stisser of Highlands Ranch and Brandon Swartzendruber of Grand Junction, both forwards.

To date, Scott Morrison is the only Phoenix FC
Player to Sign with Arizona United SC
Photo courtesy of Garrett Cleverly/Arizona United SC

Scott Morrison, from Scotland, is the only former Phoenix FC Wolves player who has signed with Arizona SC to this point. Morrison is a fan favorite and offensive threat. He scored three goals from set pieces during the 2013 season.

Stisser, Swartzendruber and Morrison will be joined by thirteen other players, mostly Americans. There are still a few vacancies on the team to fill as of press time.

Other casualties of the turmoil that struck the franchise from transition form Phoenix FC to Arizona United SC were pre-season games and the opening regular season game against Colorado’s Major League Soccer Reserve team.

The first game for Arizona United SC comes this Saturday when the team will host the OKC Energy from Oklahoma City.  OKC is coming off a 2-0 win against the Orange County Blues last weekend.

Arizona United will play its home games in the main stadium at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Game time Saturday is at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at arizonaunited.com