Arizona United Top Arizona United Soccer Club Moments of 2014: Part 2

As the calendar turns to 2015, join Arizona United Soccer Club as we take a look back at the top moments from 2014, in date order. *Previous entries at bottom of page.

First Win

Arizona United SC fans didn’t have to wait too long to witness Arizona United SC’s first USL PRO victory.

Hosting fellow expansion side Sacramento Republic FC on April 19 in the club’s second match in franchise history, Arizona United SC found itself down a goal on a quick counter attack from Republic FC in the 27th minute. United answered back and gave Republic a taste of its own medicine in the 37th minute on a Brandon Swartzendruber goal from a counter attack.

The play in the second half had all the makings of a draw. However, FC Dallas loanee Jonathan Top had other things in mind. In the 85th minute, Kadeem Dacres headed a long cross from the right wing into the box and right into the path of Top, who tapped in an easy goal for the match winner. Top would go on to be named USL PRO Player of the Week for his performance in the win.

Greatest Comeback Win In Franchise History

It’s not how you start, but how you finish, and nothing exemplifies that saying more than Arizona United SC’s 3-2 road win over the Portland Timbers U-23s on May 13 in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Trailing by two goals at the start of the second half, the possibility of advancing to the next round looked bleak. The Timbers pushed numbers behind the ball and closed down any Arizona United SC attack. However, a moment of hope in the dying minutes of the match sparked what would become the greatest comeback in franchise history.

In the 84th minute, Kadeem Dacres drove into the box and fired a shot that was blocked by a defender. As the Timber defenders tried to locate the free ball, Dacres continued to push forward and fired another shot on target that trickled into the far post for the opening goal. The momentum had shifted to Arizona United SC. Four minutes later, Bradlee Baladez broke through the Timbers back line and collected a through ball near the corner flag. He rifled a piercing cross to second-half substitute London Woodberry, who knocked the ball down and placed a low shot into the back post for the equalizer.

With five minutes of stoppage time tagged onto the end of the match, Arizona United SC’s comeback had come full circle when an unmarked Daniel Antunez redirected a Jon Oakfor header into the back of the net for the match winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Arizona United SC would go onto to defeated Energy FC in the third round and make Arizona soccer history when the club hosted Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy in the fourth round.

Top Arizona United SC Moments of 2014:

Part 1: Dellorusso announced as head coach and first match in franchise history

Part 2: First win in franchise history and greatest comeback

Part 3: Goal of the Year

Part 4: Newton’s save and U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round match vs. LA Galaxy

Part 5: Arrival of Long Tan and four-match winning streak against USL PRO opponents