Off-season ends for Arizona United SC as training sessions begin.

Arizona United SC head coach Michael Dellorusso oversees the team's first day of 

training.

The long-awaited first day of training for the 2015 United Soccer League season has finally arrived for Arizona United Soccer Club.

The team gathered at Hoy Stadium on the campus of Phoenix College Monday afternoon to work on skills and fitness in front of a group of faithful supporters.

The beginning of training marks the end of the first proper off-season for Arizona United. At this time in 2014 the organization still had not been formed as USL was still struggling with the now defunct Phoenix FC Wolves.

Arizona United owner Kyle Eng strolled across the field surveying a group of more than 30 players - many of them unsigned players hoping to earn a contract with the team.

The off-season has been busy for Eng the Arizona United management team with the announced move to Scottsdale Stadium, the signing of several new and returning players, season ticket sales that have at least quadrupled over last season and the long-awaited announcement of affiliation with FC Dallas for the 2015 season.

Eng admitted the stadium move was a difficult decision to make.

"It was a tough decision for me personally because I'm a Peoria guy, a northwest side guy," Eng said.

"But if you look at what our goal is, it should be to do the best thing for soccer and make it available to more and more fans."

Scottsdale was not the only location considered by Arizona United according to Eng. The team also talked to officials in Mesa who were interested in hosting a team. In the end there was some resistance to altering the Mesa baseball field for soccer.

"Scottsdale has been unbelievable in their support," Eng said. "All they want to do is help."

Long Tan (left) works out during Arizona United SC's first 

training session held at Hoy Stadium at Phoenix College.

Eng went on to say the team is working on forming official partnerships with Scottsdale businesses which could host pre-game and post-game activities on game days.

Key player transactions during the off-season were made to bring what Eng called "winning DNA" to the team.

"Our first goal was to sign Long Tan,"  Eng said. "and [Rob] Valentino made so much sense for Phoenix."

Eng also mentioned the addition of goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski from the Orlando City team as a proven winner.

Carl Woszczynski

Woszczynski said after the workout that he's ready for the coming season.

"Everyone's been looking forward to it for the last four or five months," Woszczynski said. "The organization has done a great job putting a great group of players together. We're just ready to get back out here."

Though new to the team, Woszczynski has the benefit of working with goalkeeper Jacole Turner who is returning to the team this season.

"We'll definitely learn from each other as well as [goalkeeper coach Cory Robertson]," Woszczynski said. "Jacole knows how training here works. He's more comfortable with Cory but did a great job talking with me.

"I'm a bit older than Jacole and I have more games so I can share that experience with him. I think we can teach each other a lot this year."

Jacole Turner

The team will continue to train locally for the remainder of the week and head to Frisco, Tex., on Saturday to train at the FC Dallas training ground.

Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso is looking forward to taking the team to Dallas.

"I think it's great for our two organizations," Dellorusso said following the training session. "Their coaches will be able to see our guys and really assess and be able to know who's here. When they send their guys here they know who they're playing with.

"For us to be able to play them is a great experience for our guys."

Dellorusso has and will continue to work collaboratively with FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja.

"We're going do everything in our power to help his players grow," Dellorusso said. "He's going to do everything in his power to help us win a championship."

Arizona United hosts second round of open tryouts for 2015 season.

Arizona United SC held it's second round of open tryouts for the 2015 USL season on Saturday.

More than 100 hopefuls gathered at Tempe Sports Complex with dreams of winning the opportunity to join Arizona United's roster players when camp begins on Monday, Feb. 16.

Players spread out across three fields at the Tempe complex and formed teams led by Arizona United coaching staff. Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso circulated around the fields observing, taking notes and conferring with his coaching staff through the sessions.

Arizona United SC Head Coach Michael Dellorusso (right) and Assistant Coach Austin Daniels confer during open tryouts for the 2015 USL season.

Saturday's tryout consisted of a higher percentage of soccer-ready players with higher fitness and skill levels than those possessed by players who tried out for the team in November. Arizona United General Manager Kevin Stevenson was pleased with what he saw as he observed the tryouts.

"The level's good," Stevenson said following the morning tryout session. "You can see we've got some talented players out here."

Any tryout players invited to camp, Stevenson said, will contribute to what he feels is a strong core of players that has signed with the team thus far. Thirteen players have been confirmed along with two signees for which the team is expecting league and USSF approval. Additionally, the club has extended invitations to eight players to join the club during camp.

Humberto Soriano

Tryout hopeful Humberto Soriano was a familiar face to those who've followed USL in the Valley since the former Phoenix FC Wolves were in place. Soriano, who was on the roster during the 2013 USL season, was a goalkeeper on a team that saw a revolving door of sorts in the net-minding position.

Soriano said he's spent the past year preparing for an opportunity with a team like Arizona United.

"I've been training on my own; staying fit and trying to see if I can pick up a contract," Soriano said between tryout sessions. " I came out to do my work. It's up to the coaches to decide whether they want to bring me on the squad or not."

In addition to trying out for Arizona United, Soriano said he's also gotten a look from FC Tucson and is invited to their camp.

An opportunity to keep playing is the goal of Soriano and most players trying out for the team.

"As a soccer player we like to get to a higher level," Soriano said. "It's a step in the door."

Verrado girls soccer falls to Campo Verde

Game ends after penalty kicks following 100 minutes of scoreless play

Verrado's Shea Smith lunges toward a penalty kick taken by a Campo Verdo opponent during a penalty kick tie-breaker. Smith made the save on the play.

  

For the second time in three seasons the Verrado girls soccer team fell to the Campo Verde Coyotes in the Division II semifinal game.

  

  The Vipers latest loss to Campo Verde came in a playoff game played at Williams Field High School on Wednesday evening.

  

  The loss ended the Vipers’ bid to repeat as Div. II State Champions.

  

  Campo Verde defeated the Vipers 3-1 on penalty kicks after playing 80 minutes of regulation and two ten minute overtime periods without a goal by either team.
  

  Verrado Head Coach David Hopkinson felt he had the better team.

  “I told the girls after the first half that we had the better team,” Hopkinson said after the game.  “They’re a good team. I thought we were fairly evenly matched. I do think we created more chances”

  

  Verrado outshot Campo Verde but several acrobatics saves by Coyote goal keeper Amanda Canzona kept the Vipers off the scoreboard.

  “[Campo Verde’s] keeper made one of the best saves I’ve ever seen,” Hopkinson said. “Not just for a high school keeper, but any keeper.”

  

  Verrado goalkeeper Shea Smith also had her share of saves by deflecting balls and stopping balls headed toward the goal.

Hallie Shippy

  

  Verrado’s only score during the penalty kicks came off the foot of freshman Hallie Shippy during penalty kicks. Shippy’s shot was initially deflected by Canzano but ricocheted off the crossbar and then off Canzano’s back and rolled into the net. 

  

  Verrado’s keeper Shea Smith faced five Campo Verde penalty kicks and anticipated correctly on most. Two goals were just out of her reach and one was kicked behind her. Shea made one save and another shot hit the post.

  

  “I told the girls we’re a save or two away from winning that game,” Hopkinson said. “Our defense played too good.  Shea’s unbelievable in goal. To play three games and not give up a goal [in open play] is pretty impressive”

  Verrado’s attacks came in waves with some waves challenging Campo Verde multiple times.

  

  “We just couldn’t sustain it for more than a few minutes at a time,” Hopkinson said. “That’s probably on me.”

  Hopkinson added the high level of individual talent led to spurts of activity but the team game had room for improvement.

  “Maybe our issue throughout the season has been we’re so athletic,” Hopkinson said. “We’re so good individually. I don’t know if I did the best job this year to put together a real team game.”

  Hopkinson also acknowledged the success of this year’s senior soccer players. The seniors who played four years went to four state semi finals and won a state championship.

  

  “This might be the last competitive high school soccer game they play,” Hopkinson said. “I told them you can’t feel this bad if you don’t make it this far.

    

  “It still a phenomenal accomplishment. We just came up a little short.”

Verrado's Jessica Farmer pushes the ball toward goal during the first half of Wednesday's girls Div. II Semi-final game.