2015 TicketCity Cactus Bowl Pre-Game

Players are starting their warm-ups and fans are filing into Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University for the 2015 TicketCity Cactus Bowl.  The game pits the Washington Huskies vs. the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

The Washington Marching Band plays the school fight song at the request of Washington players who were beginning their pre-game warm-ups at Sun Devil Stadium.

Oklahoma State Quarterback Mason Rudolph gets some practice throws in during pre-game warm-ups for the 2015 TicketCity Cactus Bowl. Rudolph is expected to get the start for the game.

Washington Tight End Darrell Daniels works on sideline catches during pre-game of the 2015 TicketCity Cactus Bowl.

Arizona United Still in Quest for Coveted Playoff Slot

The road to a possible USL PRO Soccer playoff berth keeps getting tougher for Arizona United Soccer Club after the team lost its latest game against Sacramento Republic FC by a score of 2-1.

  

Arizona entered the game needing a victory and help from other teams in the league to gain ground in the quest to capture one of eight playoff spots available in the 14-team league.

  

Prior the the game the team had 21 league points.

An Arizona United victory and losses by Orange County and Charlotte would have put Arizona in a three way tie for 10th place and within two points of a coveted playoff spot.

  

Orange County and Charlotte did their part by losing their respective games, but the loss by Arizona and a victory by Pittsburgh pushed Arizona United further down the league table into 13th place.

  

Arizona’s record now stands at 6 wins, 11 losses and 5 draws.

  

To add insult to injury, the team is also feeling the impact of serving a 2-point penalty for inadvertently playing an ineligible player who should have been benched due to yellow card accumulation.

In Saturday’s game, Sacramento seemed to control the ball and tempo throughout the first half. Arizona United Head Coach Michael Dellorusso, however, felt that his team held its own against the fourth-place Republic.

  

“I don’t the intensity was lacking at all,” Dellorusso said. “We knew they would come out fast. They’re a team that like to press and and likes to play quick.

  

“I think our guys did a fantastic job in the first half—staying compact; staying organized.

  

“In the second half the boys did everything I asked of them. What it came down to was them making plays and us not.”

  

The game was scoreless until the 53rd minute when Sacramento’s Jeffrey Koval scored. 

A mental mistake by defender Tyler Ruthven turned the ball over to Sacramento just in front of the goal. 

After a few passes, Sacramento’s Thomas Stewart fed the ball to Jeffrey Koval who slotted the ball into the net to give Sacramento a 1-0 lead.

Arizona United’s Tyler Ruthven (2) walks away dejected after a turnover led to a Sacramento Republic goal.

Arizona was able to even the score just 11 minutes later after substitute forward Jonathan Top took a Jon Okafor centering pass and blasted the ball past Sacramento goal keeper Jacob Gleeson.

Arizona United's Jonathan Top scored a goal in the second half to even the score at 1-1.

“I was able to get in a good spot and thankfully found the back of the net today,” Top said.

  

Unfortunately for Arizona the lead would only last 14 minutes as Sacramento’s Justin Braun scored during the game’s 78th minute. Braun took possession of the ball near midfield after a pass was intercepted by midfielder Dakota Collins. Braun dribbled masterfully around two Arizona opponents and then chipped the ball over onrushing Arizona goal keeper Evan Newton for the score.

Arizona United’s Evan Newton (in green) can only watch a ball chipped past by Sacramento’s Justin Braun sails toward the net to score the winning goal in Arizona United’s 2-1 loss to the Republic.

Asked what he tells his players now, knowing that the opportunities to work into a playoff spot are dwinding, Dellorusso simply said “It’s all or nothing”.

Other Notes:

Bryan Gallego, who was on loan to Arizona United by Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers is currently training with the U.S. Men’s National Teams U-23 team. The team is in the Bahamas for a five day training session that included a game against the Bahamas on Wednesday. The U.S. team won that game by a score of 5-1.

Benji Lopez was called up to the USMNT U-20 team earlier this year and participated in an international tournament held at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., in July.

USL PRO Soccer CEO Alec Papadakis was in Peoria for last week’s Arizona United vs. Sacramento Republic game.

  

Papadakis met with the media prior to the game and praised Arizona United Owner Kyle Eng’s leadership and energy and said he expects Eng to be a leader in the USL PRO community.

  

Papadakis also revealed he was in the state to speak with leaders from FC Tucson, a team in the Premier Development League. He said Tucson and other cities in the Southwest are on the USL PRO radar for future expansion.

  

Papadakis said there may be as many as 22 teams in the USL PRO league next year, due mainly to the fact that many MSL teams will be fielding USL PRO affiliates in place of reserve teams in the coming season. Papadakis said the addition of a Tucson team would make a great rivalry for Arizona Soccer fans.

Arizona United SC's Winless Streak Ends With 1-0 Victory Over Rochester

It's been a long time coming, but Arizona United SC's winless streak in USL PRO competition finally ended after 1-0 victory over the Rochester Rhinos in a game played at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday.

The game was scoreless for 75 minutes before a handball in the penalty area by Rhino defender Patrick Slogic drew a yellow card and a trip to the penalty mark for Jonathan Top.

Top sized up the shot and kicked a low shot to the right post. Rhino keeper Luis Soffner managed to lay a glove on the ball but was not able to parry the ball away and it ricocheted into the back of the net.

The goal was Top's second goal of the season and was scored in his last game on loan from FC Dallas.

Arizona United's Jonathan Top kicks the winning goal on a penalty kick during the 75th minute versus Rochester.

Prior to the win United had not won game since a May 10 game played at Harrisburg.The team had gone 0-3-2 in league play since that time with two victories coming in U.S. Open Cup matches.

Following the game Top talked about the momentum the win will give Arizona United as the prepare to face LA Galaxy in round four of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday.

"Any type of win anywhere gives you a boost," Top said. "Going into the game against Galaxy we not just going to show up. We're showing up to try to win the game.

"I'm just happy my team a little bit of confidence going into that game."

Arizona United goal keeper Evan Newton watches as a shot hits the crossbar late in the game versus Rochester.

Arizona United goal keeper Evan Newton earned his second clean sheet of the season, facing six shots and making two saves.

Arizona United SC Head Coach Mike Dellorusso

United head coach Mike Dellorusso credited Newton for keeping the back four organized during the game which limited Rochester's shooting opportunities.

"If he organizes people in front of him he realizes that makes his job easier," Dellorusso said. "He did a great job with that."

Dellorusso also added that the victory over Rochester will put Arizona's players in the right mindset leading to the LA Galaxy game.

"Obviously going in with a win hopefully these guys have a little bit of confidence," he said.

"Everybody's excited for that."

Arizona United’s Winless Streak Extended With Loss to Dayton

Arizona United SC’s winless streak was extended to five games following a surprising 2-1 loss to the visiting Dayton Dutch Lions in a game played Wednesday at Peoria Sports Complex.

It was a cruel loss, made even more unbearable because of a referee decision to reverse a tying goal by Arizona near the end of the game.

Arizona (3-6-2) started sluggish and had to defend their own goal aggressively for the first several minutes of the game. Dayton’s attack was finding its way through the Arizona back four defenders and challenging United goalkeeper Evan Newton often.

Dayton struck first during the fifth minute with a goal by forward Aaron Schoenfeld during a confusing defensive sequence which allowed Schoenfeld to penetrate the Arizona back line. Schoenfeld’s initial shot hit the right post and ricocheted right back to his feet and he was able to tap the ball in for the score.

Arizona did not stay down for long as a newcomer - Rodney Wallace, on a two-game loan from the Portland Timbers - quickly scored an equalizer on a throw in by Arizona’s Bradlee Baladez that was missed by a Dayton defender.  Wallace settled the ball near the edge of the 18-yard box and drove toward the goal unimpeded and finished with a massive strike that Dayton goal keeper Matt Williams had no opportunity to save, making the score 1-1 in the 18th minute.

“I made the run but the defender got in front of me,” Wallace said after the game. “It looked like I fouled him, but I made a good run and it was a good look by Bradlee and I was able to finish for the goal.”

Rodney Wallace scored a goal during the first game of
his two-game loan from the MLS Portland Timbers side.

Dayton regained the lead 18 minutes later on a second goal by Schoenfeld.  Schoenfeld had a ball kicked away from a United player fall at his feet and he quickly turned and after a few brief touches fired a shot from 25 yards out. Despite a sprawling attempt by Newton to bat the ball away it still found the back of the net and gave Dayton a 2-1 lead.

Arizona appeared to score the equalizer near the end of regulation play when Kadeem Dacres kicked ball into a tangle of bodies in the goal area and the ball was deflected into the net by Baladez. The goal was initially awarded to Arizona, but after much protest from Dayton players and discussion among the head referee and linesman the goal was reversed, leaving Arizona with a 2-1 deficit.

A late game goal by Arizona United's Bradlee Baladez was disallowed on a delayed off side call. 

Following the game Arizona head coach Michael Dellorusso said he was told the linesman thought Bradlee didn’t touch the ball. “So that’s why he didn’t call offsides,” Dellorusso said. “But then when (the referees) discussed it then the center referee said Bradlee had touched the ball.”

The touch by Baladez resulted in a delayed offside and the goal was erased from the board, leaving Arizona with a 2-1 deficit.

As for the game overall, Dellorusso said, “We lost the game. We didn’t deserve to win.

“We did the one thing we didn’t want to do. We gave them confidence. We knew they were a tired team. We came out flat.

“A couple individuals just didn’t step up their game tonight . We’ll learn from it and the guys who want to play will play.”

Arizona United, currently playing with several players on loan, will lose those players soon as MLS teams begin Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play. The departure of some more experienced players is going to leave some gaps.

When asked who is going to have to step up to fill those gaps Dellorusso said, “Everybody. A lot of young guys need to learn what the professional world is all about.”

Next up Arizona United faces the Rochester Rhinos in a game played at Peoria Sports Complex this Saturday.

On Wednesday, June 18, Arizona United will face Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy in round four of the Open Cup.

Arizona United's Jonathan Top attempts to deflect Dayton goal keeper Matt Williams' clearance.

Arizona United's Jalen Robinson (27) has seen limited playing time but played the full 90 minutes against Dayton.

Arizona United goal keeper Evan Newton tracks a crossing ball by Dayton's Cameron Vickers. The ball landed on the roof of the net resulting in a goal kick for Arizona.

Arizona United Proves It Can Play With League's Best

One of the newest members of Arizona United SC, Schillo Tshuma (right), pushes past Orlando City Defender Luke Boden during Saturday's USL PRO contest at Peoria Sports Complex. Orland City won the game 1-0.

Arizona United Soccer Club continued to impress by playing a surprisingly even match against Orlando City in a USL PRO League soccer game played at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday night.

Orlando City was atop the USL PRO league table coming into the game with an unbeaten 6-0-3 record and a league-leading 21 points while Arizona was fourth on the table with 10 points.

Save an own goal scored in Orlando City's favor during the game's eighth minute, both teams had a nearly equal number of shots taken during the game - 11 for Orlando City and 10 for Arizona United.

Orlando City won the game 1-0.

The own goal came when Orlando City's Adama Mbengue tried to send a cross in low across the goal box. Arizona United's Bryan Gallego took a lunging kick at the ball in an attempt to clear but the ball was steered toward net instead and looped over Arizona United goalkeeper Evan Newton who had no chance to deflect the ball.

Arizona United goalkeeper Evan Newton makes a leaping save to deflect a shot over the net during Saturday's USL PRO League match at Peoria Sports Complex.

"The first half we gave them a little too much respect," Newton said after the game.  "We got punished on a lucky goal.

"I think the rest of the game it was more in favor of us, especially in the second half."

This game was yet another test of Arizona United, the newest playing franchise in USL PRO.  The team was playing its fourth match in nine days including three games on the road which had the team criss-crossing the country.

Arizona United split two league games in the East, losing to Richmond 4-0 and beating Harrisburg 1-0. Both games were played back-to-back in an inclement weather.

The team then traveled to Portland to play a second round game in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where they faced Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers U-23 team.  Arizona United overcame a 2-0 deficit starting in the 84th minute and scored three goals in 10 minutes to win the game 3-2.

As for Saturday's game, this is yet another learning experience for the young Arizona United team.

"We'll learn from it," said head coach Mike Dellorusso after the game. "It was a good effort. I thought our boys deserved better. 

"But at the end of the day we didn't come out. We played a little bit scared in the first half. This teams got to build on some confidence. We'll learn from it and we'll get better."

Arizona United SC Drops Inaugural Game at Home

When is a loss not a loss?  If you’re a valley soccer fan that question was answered Saturday night after USL PRO Soccer’s Arizona United Soccer Club fell in its inaugural game against Oklahoma City’s Energy FC by a score of 4-0 at Peoria Sports Complex.

An announced attendance of 2,888 spectators enjoyed a game few could imagine happening just a month ago.

The constant silence of the Phoenix FC Wolves organization and the sudden announcement that the team will no longer be operating a USL PRO franchise burst a bubble that seemed destined to pop as the organization floundered despite having open tryouts for prospective players just weeks before.

But, as soon as all seemed for naught, there was new life infused into soccer supporters as word of Phoenix FC’s demise was quickly followed by news of the formation of Arizona United, fronted by Peoria businessman Kyle Eng.

Eng spent more than 20 minutes with the media prior to Saturday’s game and walked through the chronology of the team’s formation from first contact with USL PRO on Feb. 21, through the announcement that soccer would indeed continue in Arizona on March 13.

During the first meeting with USL PRO it became apparent that Eng and his team would be right fit for ownership of a franchise.

“We want to be Arizona’s soccer team,” Eng said. “We are Arizona’s only professional team in Arizona. We want to be united in that.” Hence the name Arizona United SC.

The next order for Eng and his staff was to hire a coach.  He told his staff to “find a guy who has a winning tradition, who knows how to win on the field and who brings something different.”

They found that coach in Maryland assistant coach and USL PRO veteran Mike DelloRusso.

Earning fans back is important to Eng, who has adopted three mottos: Put a quality product on the field; create a great fan experience; put together a team that people can be proud to cheer for.

“If we can do those three things then we’ve accomplished our goal,” said Eng, “We’ll earn our fans back”

Eng acknowleged it has taken a lot of hard work to pull off game one in such a short period of time and some tasks as formal game uniforms and signage were not quite ready. Other areas such as concessions and merchandise booths will be assessed.

As for the game on the field, Arizona United held on during the first half to take a tie going into the locker room, but Arizona United faced a steep challenge in the second half due to the dismissal of London Woodberry who received two yellow cards in the first half.

It did not take long for OKC to take advantage of the United's one-man deficit.  Just a minute into the second half, OKC's Steven Perry tucked a shot into the right side of the net to give the Energy a 1-0 lead.

Minutes later, Kyle Greig was able to head in a cross to double the score.

Throughout the game, Arizona United struggled to maintain possession; a testament, perhaps, to the scant practice time as a team.  Many players on the United side had one week or less to practice with the entire squad.  OKC added two more goals by Kyle Miller (65') and Adda Djeziri (70') to put the game out of reach.

Arizona United did manage to threaten OKC keeper John Kempin on a few occasions during the game.
Following the game, Arizona United Midfielder Matt Kassel was not making any excuses.  "I don't want to make any excuses," Kassel said. "Everybody's played the game before. They (OKC) have played a few games already. You could tell that," suggesting the match fitness level of OKC gave the Energy the advantage.

"The red card was unfortunate," Kassell added "It's something all of us will learn from. We've got to take it and move forward."
Kassel went on to say he was impressed by the level of support for the team in its first game. He acknowleged the soccer community in the valley and the support demonstrated by the fans and supporters at the game.

Next up, Arizona United will face Sacramento at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday, April 19. Game time is 7:00 pm.

Front: Joey Dillon, Joseph Toby, Paolo DelPiccolo, Jonathan Top, London Woodberry; Rear: Daniel Antunez, Evan Newton, Tyler Ruthven, Jon Okafor, Bradlee Baladez, Matt Kassel

Joseph Toby

Bradlee Baladez

Jon Okafor

Matt Kassel

Jonathan Top

Scott Morrison (23)

Charles Renken

Devon Grousis

Tyler Ruthven

London Woodberry

Evan Newton

Joey Dillon

Paolo DelPiccolo

Brandon Swartzendruber

Arizona’s Pro Soccer Franchise Starts Anew

Arizona’s Pro Soccer Franchise Starts Anew

It has been a whirlwind few months for professional soccer in Arizona.

With less than two months left before the start of the 2014 season, Arizona’s soccer team—Phoenix FC Wolves—lost its franchise rights for its USL PRO team.

The same day it was announced that Arizona United Soccer Club, under the leadership of Peoria businessman Kyle Eng, would the fill void left by Phoenix FC Wolves’ departure.

As Arizona United ramped up for its upcoming season, many questions were left unanswered about Phoenix FC’s departure.

Eng, worked diligently with Director of Soccer Operations Kevin Stevenson to find a head coach who could search out, sign and lead players needed for the upcoming season.

Michael Dellorusso, an assistant coach at the University of Maryland, was announced as Arizona United’s head coaching choice on March 28.

“Michael Dellorusso represents the bright future of soccer in Arizona,” said Eng, “He will bring a winning tradition to the Valley and we look forward to his close interaction with our fans and putting a great product on the field.”

With one week to go before the team’s first game, no players had yet been signed. However, during the past few days a flurry of announcements have revealed the names of 16 players who have come to terms with the team.

Two Coloradans were the first announced as signees with the team—Brad Stisser of Highlands Ranch and Brandon Swartzendruber of Grand Junction, both forwards.

To date, Scott Morrison is the only Phoenix FC
Player to Sign with Arizona United SC
Photo courtesy of Garrett Cleverly/Arizona United SC

Scott Morrison, from Scotland, is the only former Phoenix FC Wolves player who has signed with Arizona SC to this point. Morrison is a fan favorite and offensive threat. He scored three goals from set pieces during the 2013 season.

Stisser, Swartzendruber and Morrison will be joined by thirteen other players, mostly Americans. There are still a few vacancies on the team to fill as of press time.

Other casualties of the turmoil that struck the franchise from transition form Phoenix FC to Arizona United SC were pre-season games and the opening regular season game against Colorado’s Major League Soccer Reserve team.

The first game for Arizona United SC comes this Saturday when the team will host the OKC Energy from Oklahoma City.  OKC is coming off a 2-0 win against the Orange County Blues last weekend.

Arizona United will play its home games in the main stadium at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Game time Saturday is at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at arizonaunited.com