Good To Be Back

Tshuma scores in second appearance of 2015; Tan scores 13th goal of the season

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (August 29, 2015) — Officially Schillo Tshuma had already made his return to Phoenix in a brief, stoppage-time appearance last week.

But in front of 4,241 fans in Scottsdale Stadium (the second-largest in 2015), Tshuma made his presence known with a 90th-minute goal to push Arizona United SC ahead of LA Galaxy II, in a 2-1 victory.

“I saw an opportunity to take a shot on goal,” Tshuma said. “So I just stayed in the box and hung out in the back of the box. And luckily enough, the ball went over everyone and just fell to my feet.”

In the 90th minute, United (10-13-1) had a free kick about 35 yards away from the goal. Defender Scott Morrison send the ball into the box and it was cleared high into the air by Galaxy II (13-9-3). The ball fell near the top of the box to defender Tyler Ruthven, who chipped the ball over the crowd and toward Tshuma.

Tshuma buried his shot.

“It’s a great win,” Arizona United SC Head coach Michael Dellorusso said. “It’s well deserved. You just beat the LA Galaxy (II) for the third time this year. With about half (of the roster filled) with first teamers. It was great. I’m very proud.”

Despite a complete performance for the first 75 minutes of the match, including forward Long Tan’s 13th goal of the season in the 39th minute, Arizona appeared destined for an unwanted result. In the 75th minute, a defensive miscue allowed Galaxy II’s Bryan Olivera to get behind goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski and take an unchallenged shot on net to equalize the match, 1-1.

Five minutes later, forward Aaron Dennis was shown a red card and United had to play a man down. Despite the challenges, Arizona managed to fend of a ferocious LA attack until Tshuma’s game-clinching goal.

“It was good to see, after the team gave up the goal to go 1-1, the team not give up,” Woszczynski said. “We kept our heads high and kept fighting for that goal and it came.”

United finishes the season 3-0-0 against LA Galaxy II with two wins in Los Angeles and one in Scottsdale. The club returns to action at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday, September 5, against Real Monarchs SLC. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at ArizonaUnited.com.

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