Arizona United earns first home win in comeback fashion

Arizona United Soccer Club's first home win of the season came in dramatic fashion.

The team was able to overcome a two-goal deficit after the first 14 minutes of the game to beat the Austin Aztex 3-2.

United (4-3-1, 13 points) was able to snap its four-game winless streak, and Austin's (4-4-1, 13 points) three-game unbeaten streak was also snapped.

"It looked like a confident group, which is what we were going for," coach Michael Dellorusso said. "Our message today was fighting for each other, and laying it all out there. I'm very happy with that."

Fourteen minutes into the game, United found itself trailing after two defensive lapses. In the eighth minute, goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski punched out a throw-in, but the defense was unable to clear out the rebound. Instead, Aztex forward Kris Tyrpak punched in the rebound for the 1-0 lead.

Six minutes later the Aztex were able to capitalize on a 2-on-1 breakaway. Aztex forward Trevin Caesar streaked down the far side line, cut it back into the box, and slotted it past Woszczynski.

In the 35th minute, United defender Joseph Shinsky went down in the Aztex penalty box. Forward Brad Stisser buried the penalty to the bottom right corner of the net to make it a 2-1 game.

It didn't take long for United to tie the game up in the second half. Midfielder Milton Blanco played a through ball to forward Long Tan and Tan was able to beat Aztex goalkeeper Cody Laurendi for the equalizer.

"Coach just said we had to push," Tan said. "(He said) we can't lose this game, so we had to push. We had to do everything, give one-hundred percent. We needed these three points."

Tan gave United the go-ahead goal in the 69th minute. Blanco was taken down in the box for a penalty, and Tan was able to convert it for the brace.

Austin nearly tied it up in the 86th minute, when forward Drew Yates had a one-on-one opportunity against Woszczynski. Woszczynski came off his line and was able to deflect the shot off with his legs.

The save proved to be the difference as United was able to hold on to the 3-2 win.

"It's a big monkey off our back," Woszczynski said. "Getting this result, I think we'll continue to build off of this and get a few more at home. At home your home fans are behind you, so as the game gets down to the wire, they give you that energy."

Next up, United will host Chula Vista FC on Wednesday in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.