Arizona United SC defeats Austin Aztex 3-2

Win snaps four-match winless streak

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 16, 2015) — Powered by a brace from forward Long Tan and a penalty from forward Brad Stisser, Arizona United SC snapped a four-game winless streak with a 3-2 win over Austin Aztex at Scottsdale Stadium in front of 3,229 fans. The win was Arizona United SC’s first win at its new home in Scottsdale.

“It was good, it looked like a confident group,” said Arizona United SC head coach Michael Dellorusso. “The message today was fighting for each other and laying it all out there. I was very happy about that.”

Arizona dug itself into a hole less than ten minutes into the match when Arizona United SC goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski tried to clear out a long throw in in the 7th minute. He redirected the ball right to Austin Aztex forward Kris Tyrpak, who scored his team-leading fifth goal on the season to give the Aztex’s a 1-0 lead.

The match went from bad to worse four minutes later. Austin’s Trevin Caesar won a 50/50 ball along the left sideline and raced toward the Arizona United SC goal. Ceaser cut to his right and fired a shot passed a diving Woszczynski for a 2-0 lead.

Arizona United SC cut its deficit before the half in the 34th minute when Alex Shinsky fought off two defenders on his way into the penalty area before he was brought down from behind, forcing a a penalty call. Stisser stepped to the spot for Arizona and buried his penalty to cut Arizona’s deficit to one at the half. 

That deficit didn’t last long, as just two minutes into the second half, midfielder Milton Blanco corralled an Austin turnover at midfield and spotted Tan making a run at the box. Blanco hit Tan on the run and the club’s leading scorer beat Austin’s goalkeeper Cody Laurendi to equalize the match at 2-2. 

Tan scored his second goal on the evening, and sealed Arizona United SC’s win, in the 69th minute with a penalty of his own. This time it was Blanco drawing a penalty in the box for Arizona. Tan kicked the ball right down the middle, past a helplessly diving Laurendi and Arizona United SC had a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

“They knew what they needed to do,” Dellorusso said. “We knew where we were exploiting them well. We came out right away and did it very well, but all the credit to our boys, they owned that match tonight.”

The comeback win was the second time ever Arizona United came back from a two-goal deficit to win a match. The first time was last season in a 3-2 win over Portland Timbers U23 in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup. Arizona United SC improves to 4-3-1. 

Up next for Arizona United SC is the second round matchup against Chula Vista Futbol Club in the U.S. Open Cup at Scottsdale Stadium on Wednesday, May 20. Tickets start at just $15 and are available at arizonaunited.com/tickets. 

For additional ticketing information that includes season tickets and mini-game plans, contact the Arizona United SC front office by calling 623-594-9606 or email at info@arizonaunited.com. Additionally, all Arizona United SC home matches include free parking.

For more information on Arizona United Soccer Club, follow the team on Facebook www.facebook.com/ArizonaUnitedSoccer,  Twitter @AZUnitedSC and Instagram @AZUnitedSC.

Match: Arizona United Soccer Club vs Austin Aztex
Date: May 16, 2015
Competition: USL
Venue: Scottsdale Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT
Weather: Clear, 70 degrees
Attendance: 3,229

Scoring Summary:
AU – Kris Tyrpak – 7th minute
AU – Trevin Caesar – 13th minute
AZ – Brad Stisser – 34th minute
AZ – Long Tan (assist: Milton Blanco) – 46th minute
AZ – Long Tan – 69th minute

Misconduct Summary:

Lineups:

Arizona United SC: Carl Woszczynski, Alex Shinsky (Scott Morrison – 82′), Tyler Ruthven, Daniel Antunez, Damian Rosales, Joey Dillon, Milton Blanco (Jose “Chiva” Cuevas – 72′), Jonathan Top, George Malki, Brad Stisser (Cameron Vickers – 65′), Long Tan

Substitutions not used: Zak Downes, Devon Grousis, Brock Granger, Spencer Johnson

Austin Aztex: Cody Laurendi, Fernando Timbo (Mikey Ambrose – 73′), Kalen Rydan, Kyle Hoffer, Lance Rozeboom, Mozzi Gyorio, Brendan King (Ryan Roushandel – 84′), Gauraci (Max Gunderson – 62), Kris Tyrpak, Adam Bedall, Trevin Caesar (Drew Yates – 70′)

Substitutions not used: Devin Perales, Travis Golden, Bruan Fekete