Arizona United Arizona United SC drops match to the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves

TUKWILA, Washington (Monday, August 25, 2014) – Arizona United Soccer Club’s chances of qualifying for the USL PRO playoff’s took a hit following a 5-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves on Monday afternoon at Starfire Stadium.

Arizona United SC, tied for the eighth and final spot in the USL PRO playoff’s, saw its three-match winning streak come to an end, and its record drop to 9-13-5.

The loss did not eliminate Arizona United SC from the playoffs, but if any of the two following scenarios happen this week, Arizona United SC will be eliminated: The Pittsburgh Riverhounds win both matches against the Charleston Battery, and Charlotte Eagles, and/or the Rochester Rhinos defeat the Harrisburg City Islanders, and/or the Wilmington Hammerheads FC earn any combination of four points against the Sacramento Republic FC and Orlando City SC.

After a strong opening 25 minutes, Arizona United SC suffered a few defensive breakdowns, which the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves benefited from. The first was in the 28th minute on a smart turn by midfielder Sean Okoli in Arizona United SC’s half. He attacked space and played to an unmarked Tristan Bowen, who curled a low cross into the box. London Woodberry was able to get a touch on the ball near the goal line, but failed to clear the danger, which allowed Lamar Neagle an easy tap in from close range.

Okoli doubled the Sounders FC Reserves lead in the 32nd minute when he scored from close range on a misplayed corner by goalkeeper Evan Newton, and recorded a first half brace six minutes later when he hammered home an Aaron Kova cross.

Tristan Bowen extended the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves lead in the 65th minute on a far post finish that was set up by a clever pass by Okoli. Arizona United SC averted a shutout late in the second half when defender London Woodberry headed home a Sam Garza corner, but saw the deficit go back to four goals on a Kenny Copper finish in the 90th minute.

Arizona United SC will close out its inaugural campaign on the road against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on September 6th.

-Arizona United Soccer Club Match Report-

Match: Arizona United Soccer Club vs. Seattle Sounders FC Reserves

Date: Monday, August 25, 2014

Competition: USL PRO

Venue: Starfire Stadium

Kickoff: 1:00 PM PDT

Weather: Clear, and 76 degrees

Scoring Summary 1 2 F Arizona United Soccer Club 0 1 1 Seattle Sounders FC Reserves 3 2 5

Scoring Summary:

SEA – Lamar Neagle – 28

SEA – Sean Okoli – 32

SEA – Sean Okoli (assist: Aaron Kova) – 38

SEA – Tristan Bowen (assist: Sean Okoli) – 65

AZ – London Woodberry (assist: Sam Garza – 75)

SEA – Kenny Cooper – 90

Misconduct Summary:

AZ – London Woodberry (Yellow) – 77

AZ – Tyler Ruthven (Yellow) – 81

Saves Corners Fouls Offsides Shots AZU 4 7 10 3 15 SEA 3 3 10 6 19

Lineups:

Arizona United SC: Evan Newton, Tyler Ruthven (Jalen Robinson – 83), Widner Saint-Cyr, London Wooberry, Scott Morrison, Paolo DelPiccolo, Joey Dillon (George Malki – 60), Matt Kassel (Benji Lopez – 72), Jon Okafor, Brad Stisser (Sam Garza – 46), Long Tan

Did not play: Daniel Antunez, Joseph Toby, Jacole Turner