Arizona United Arizona United SC defeats Phoenix College 4-1

Tan, Malki, Chin, and Granger all score for Arizona United SC in final preseason match

PHOENIX (March 21, 2015) – A strong second half from Arizona United SC powered the club to a 4-1 victory over Phoenix College on Saturday night in front of more than 1,000 fans at Hoy Stadium.

2014 USL All-League Second Team member Long Tan opened the scoring in the first half, and Brock Granger, Dennis Chin, and George Malki all added a goal after the hour mark in Arizona United SC’s final preseason match.

The match between the two sides was played in the memory of Arizona United SC and Phoenix College fan Nobe Yonekura, who passed away earlier this year. Donations were accepted on behalf of the Nobe Yonekura Foundation, which awards scholarship money to Phoenix College students who play the drums. Before the match, Arizona United SC supporters’ group La Furia Roja 1881 unveiled a special tifo to commemorate the event.

“This is what it was all about. Arizona United SC and Phoenix College coming together for a great supporter of the both of us,” said Arizona United SC head coach Michael Dellorusso. “I’m just glad we could do a little bit to recognize a fantastic life lived.”

Tan opened up the scoring for Arizona United SC in the 7th minute of the match after he danced around the Phoenix College backline and rifled a piercing shot over the goalkeeper. Not to be outplayed at home, Phoenix College stormed back and equalized the match less than a minute later on a questionable penalty call.

Arizona United SC bounced back from the equalizer and proceeded to pound the Phoenix College net for the next 60 minutes. However, timely stops from the Phoenix College defense and unfortunate shots that just missed the mark prevented Arizona United SC from taking back the lead.

It wasn’t until the 64th minute when Arizona United SC’s persistence paid off. Playing in his first preseason match with Arizona United SC, forward Dennis Chin was taken down from behind in the box. Defender Brock Granger stepped up and calmly converted the penalty.

Chin again found himself involved in an Arizona United SC goal, however this time it was his name that went down in the box score. He broke through the Phoenix College backline, rounded the goalkeeper, and tacked on Arizona United SC ‘s third goal.

“It just came in yesterday, but it has been good,” said Chin. “I am familiar with some of the players here. The system is very similar to the one we had in Orlando, so it made it very easy.”

In the 89th minute, Pinnacle High School graduate, George Malki, added the fourth and final goal after he weaved through four defenders and slotted his shot under the diving Phoenix College goalkeeper. Moments later the final whistle was blown.

Arizona United SC opens its 2015 USL season on the road next Saturday against OC Blues FC.

The club makes their home debut on Saturday, April 25 against Portland Timbers 2 at Scottsdale Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PST.

Season and single-game tickets are available at arizonaunited.com/tickets or by calling 623-594-9606. For more information on Arizona United Soccer Club, follow the team on Facebookwww.facebook.com/ArizonaUnitedSoccer, Twitter @AZUnitedSC or Instagram@AZUnitedSC.