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."