Arizona United Finds Goals But Victories Still Elusive

After going scoreless for most of May the Arizona United Soccer Club has had much better luck finding the net, managing to score seven goals in six games during June.

Despite the uptick in tallies United finished June with just one win, two draws and three losses in USL PRO League play.

A second win for the team was within reach during the teams most recent game—a 3-2 loss to the Orange County Blues. The game was played in Peoria.

Arizona found itself in rare territory having jumped out to a two goal lead in the first half off of goals by Jon Okafor and Kadeem Dacres.

Members of the Arizona United Soccer Club celebrat after Jon Okafor (second from left) scored during the first half of a game against the Orange County Blues. Pictured from left to right are: Paolo DelPiccolo, Okafor, Joseph Toby, Joey Dillon, Kadeem Dacres and London Woodberry.

For most of the first half Arizona dominated Orange County with a style of play that eluded the team in their prior game-a 1-0 loss to Sacramento Republic on the road just two days before.

In the Sacramento game  Arizona United seemed to lack rhythm and cohesiveness and struggled to gain any type of momentum or threat.

That struggles was made even more difficult when Widner Saint-Cyr received two yellow cards followed by a red card, leading to an ejection at the 58th minute of the game.

The energy and tenacity United brought to the first 40 minutes of the Orange County game was a welcome site to all in attendance.

However, during the games 41st minute the momentum started to shift when a foul was called against Arizona goal keeper Evan Newton in the penalty area and a penalty kick was awarded to Orange County.

The Blues’ Allan Russell stepped in and fired a rocket to the right post just past Newton to make the score 2-1.

Arizona United Goal Keeper Evan Newton stretches to try to save a penalty kick by Orange County Blues' Allan Russell. The ball got past Newton for OC Blues first goal of the game. The goal came during the 41st minute

Much of the momentum Arizona hoped to take into the locker room at halftime was diminished.

During the second half the teams traded possession, but Orange County was able to tie the game during th 66th minute when midfielder Joshua Suggs chipped a ball over the head of Newton who had come out to try to cut down the angle outside the right post. After clearing Newton the ball hit the side netting for the score.

Arizona appeared to take the lead just as four minutes of extra time were added to the game. A corner kick ricocheted off a group of players in front of the net. Arizona’s Tyler Ruthven was able to redirect the ball toward goal and Dacres headed the ball into the net; however, the assistant referred deemed Dacres offside and the goal was disallowed.  A review of the play appeared to show that Dacres was actually onside, having been pushed forward by Blue keeper Patrick McLain.

The dagger in the heart of Arizona United came a few moments later when Blues forward Andrew Hoxie took a pass from just outside the 18-yard box, dribbled toward goal and put the shot past Newton.

Following the game Arizona Head Coach Michael Dellorusso said the turning point came on simple mistakes.

“We give a team one chance and they make us pay,” Dellorusso said. “It’s the mental moments of the game that we’ve got to get better at.”

Mistakes aside, Dellorusso felt his team played well.

“You look down our team individually our guys had good games,” He said, Adding, “We don’t make teams pay.”

Arizona now heads to the road for three games.

“We need nine points. That’s it,” Dellorusso said.