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.