Verrado grad Sergio Rizo among Bears who played against pros
Arizona United Soccer Club finished pre-season play with a 3-1 record following the team’s 4-1 victory over Phoenix College’s men’s team at Hoy Stadium in Phoenix on March 21.
Four different players scored for Arizona United—Long Tan, Brock Granger, Dennis Chin and George Malki.
The outcome of the game between a pro side and a community college team was not unexpected; however, the game also served as an opportunity to celebrate the life of one of Arizona United and Phoenix College’s biggest supporters—Nobe Yonekura—who passed way this past January.
Yonekura was raised in Japan and New York and served as a judge in Gila County as was also an accomplished musician. A fund-raiser during the game supported the Nobe Yonekura Foundation which will provide scholarships to percussion students at Phoenix College.
Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso, who did not have the benefit of an off-season or regular pre-season last year, is now looking forward to getting the regular season started.
“It’s too long,” Dellorusso jokingly said about the pre-season following the game. “Now the guys are just anxious. We did everything we wanted to as far as getting them physically ready and mentally ready.
“Now we’re looking forward to the important stuff.”
Two players on the Phoenix College squad had Buckeye ties.
Midfielder’s Sergio Rizo and Dean Brune both played for Phoenix College during the 2014 season. Both players led Verrado’s boy’s team to its only state championship game appearance in 2011.
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Former Verrado High School soccer standout and Phoenix College midfielder Sergio Rizo (15) jostles for possession against Arizona United’s Scott Morrison during the first half of a pre-season game played at Phoenix College on March 21. Arizona United won the game 4-1.
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Rizo played approximately 45 minutes during the game against United while Brune did not make an appearance.
Rizo said he felt honored to be playing against a pro side in an pre-season game.
“It was a great feeling playing these guys,” Rizo said following the game. “Just knowing the level at which soccer can be played and how hard soccer can get...It’s one of the best feelings ever.”
Rizo, who just signed to finish his college career at Colorado State University-Pueblo, also said playing against players with USL and MLS experience “puts me on the spot knowing how much better I need to get.”
Rizo added playing after college is not out of the question for him, citing familiarity with MLS and USL clubs in the West and knowing that USL teams generally host open tryouts.
“I want to at least get my Bachelor’s degree so I can have something to fall back on,” Rizo said. It would be awesome to play here in Arizona for a team like Arizona United.”
