Arizona United SC defeats Real Monarchs SLC

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (June 27, 2015) — Facing the prospect of suffering lost points, Arizona United SC’s Scott Morrison came to the team’s rescue and scored a highlight-reel goal from 20 yards out for a 2-1 win over the Real Monarchs SLC at Scottsdale Stadium.

“You got to have trust and faith in your players,” said Arizona United SC head coach Michael Dellorusso. “They showed why they’ve been working so hard, and they deserved some things to go their way.”

The match was level at 1-1 in the 93rd minute when Arizona United SC made a final push toward the Real Monarchs’ net. A long cross into the box appeared to be cleared away by the Monarchs’ defense, but forward Jonathan Top came up with the ball and found Morrison outside of the box. Morrison then fired home the game winner.

“It was chippy, especially the first half. We talked at halftime to stay on our game, keep our heads and to keep chipping away at them,” said Dellorusso.

Arizona United SC opened the match scoring in the 55th minute. Forward Dennis Chin beat his defender along the left side of the penalty area. Just before he reached the touchline, he centered a pass to forward Long Tan, who scored his third goal in as many matches (his seventh goal on the season).

Neither team created many dangerous chances following the goal. But in the 80th minute Real Monarchs defender Jordan Murrell nearly equalized off a corner. But his near-post header was punched away by Carl Woszczynski and the match remained 1-0.

That scoreline wouldn’t last long. Roughly two minutes later, Real Monarchs’ Darion Copeland tied the match. The former UAB teammate of Woszczynski cut his way through the crowd of players and found himself at the end of Ricardo Velazco’s free kick. Copland buried the shot and tied the match, 1-1. Morrison’s game winner would come in the third minute of a four-minute extra time.

“They (Real Monarchs SLC) were organized,” Dellorusso said. “They got numbers behind the ball and plugged the middle of the field, and then our speed of play went down.”

Arizona United SC goes back on the road this coming Thursday with a match at Portland Timbers FC 2. The club then returns home on Sunday, July 5, with a match against OC Blues FC. Arizona United SC has already played the blues twice this season. They won their first meeting, 2-1 and lost their second meeting, 3-0. This will be the first time Orange County travels to Phoenix this season.