Jonathan Top with the lone goal for Arizona United SC

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 9, 2015) — Jonathan Top’s second goal in as many matches helped snap Arizona United Soccer Club’s three match losing streak on Saturday night in a 1-1 draw with the Tulsa Roughnecks in front of 2,858 fans.

“I think we played well,” said head coach Michael Dellorusso. “We kept the ball well. Again, we didn’t make a play on either side of the ball.”

Top’s goal came in the 19th minute when midfielder Jose “Chiva” Cuevas blasted a shot from near the top of the 18-yard penalty box that was initially saved by Tulsa goalkeeper Zac Lubin. He couldn’t hold on to the ball and Top collected the rebound and tapped the ball into the net for the easy goal.

Arizona United SC continued pressing the Tulsa defense for the remainder of the first half. In the 42nd minute, a Top cross into the box found forward Long Tan, who headed the ball on target but was denied by Lubin. At the 56th minute mark, defender Tyler Ruthven was clear at the far post, freed by a Milton Blanco free kick, but his header went wide of the post.

Less than ten minutes later, defender Rob Valentino won a 50-50 in the air and played a ball to Tan, who created some space and fired a shot on target before being denied. Tan later played the creator, instead of the shooter, freeing teammate Brad Stisser in space to the right of the goalkeeper, but Stisser fired his shot wide.

“We had the game in hand, we did exactly what we wanted to do, but we didn’t capitalize on the chances we had,” said captain Rob Valentino. “We talked at halftime, if we don’t score in this (second) half, it’s simple we won’t win the game. Unfortunately we gave up a chance and they scored.”

Tulsa tied the game in the 90th minute when midfielder Gibson Bardsley beat his defender and ran along the goal line from the left side of the field and drove his shot past Arizona United SC goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski. The draw is Arizona’s first tie of the season as the team moves to 3-3-1 with 10 points.

“It’s tough, it felt like we played well and controlled most of the game,” said goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski. “I don’t think it was our best performance, but I felt we did enough to win, unfortunately we weren’t able to do it.”

Up next for Arizona United SC is the Austin Aztex on May 16 at home.

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.