Dellorusso names roster for COS Pro Soccer Kickoff

PEORIA, Ariz. (Wednesday, October 15, 2014) – Arizona United Soccer Club head coach Michael Dellorusso has named an 18-player roster that will compete against the LA Galaxy II in the COS Pro Soccer Kickoff held by the USL PRO expansion club Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

The one-match friendly will be held at the newly upgraded Sand Creek Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Saturday, October 18 at 6 p.m.

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The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC are one of eight new teams that will begin USL PRO regular season play in 2015. The other seven teams that have been announced are: Austin Aztex, Charlotte Independence, Louisville City, Portland Timbers 2, Tulsa Roughnecks FC, St. Louis FC, and Seattle Sounders 2.

“It’s been great to see how USL PRO has grown. Going from 14 teams in our first season to now 20 in 2015,” said Arizona United General Manager Kevin Stevenson. “When Ed Ragain called me six weeks ago and presented this opportunity to us, we knew we could not turn it down.  I’ve been very impressed with the ‘pay it forward’ mentality that a lot of teams have adopted.  With only 28 days to launch our team, we had to rely on the help of several different people and organizations.  Now it’s our turn.  The ownership group in Colorado Springs is great and they deserve to have a successful first year.  It was a no brainer for us to accept their invitation.  It gives us a chance to play against a very tough side in Galaxy II and it gives us a chance to help one of our fellow franchises.  Events like this help grow the professional game and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

Arizona United’s roster includes 14 players from Arizona United’s 2013 inaugural season. Among the group are team point leaders, Long Tan who finished second with 10 points (5 goals), and Jon Okafor with nine points (4 goals, 1 assist).

The four additional players Dellorusso has named to his team are: midfielders Minh Vu, Zach Barnes, Kenny Tribbett, and defender Tyler Pasher.

“It will give our players an opportunity to get together during the offseason and allow us to begin to form our team for next year,” Dellorusso said.

Arizona United and LA Galaxy II squared off four times in USL PRO regular season play with the LA Galaxy II holding a 2-0-2 advantage. Arizona United SC finished ninth in the final standings, one position shy of a playoff berth, and the LA Galaxy II finished in third place. This will be the first ever USL PRO match played in Colorado Springs, and tickets are available at switchbacksfc.com.

ARIZONA UNITED ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Evan Newton, Jacole Turner
DEFENDERS (5): London Woodberry, Scott Morrison, Tyler Pasher, Tyler Ruthven, Widner Saint-Cyr
MIDFIELDERS (7): Daniel Antunez, Joey Dillon, Minh Vu, Sam Garza, Zach Barnes, Kenny Tribbett, Paolo DelPiccolo
FORWARDS (4): Brad Stisser, Jon Okafor, Kadeem Dacres, Long Tan