Jeff Wendt

The Republic | azcentral.com

Arizona United sits three points out of eighth with three matches remaining.

Arizona United defeated Oklahoma City 2-1 Aug. 14 in Oklahoma City.

Jonathan Top and Evan Newton were named to the USL Pro Team of the Week.

Final home game of the season for Arizona United%2C who finish at Seattle reserves and at Pittsburgh.

Three matches remain in Arizona United SC's season, and three wins is what is needed for a possible berth in the USL Pro playoffs.

That stretch starts Friday night when Arizona United hosts Oklahoma City Energy FC in the final home game of the season at Peoria Sports Complex.

"They know," head coach Michael Dellorusso said of his squad's need for all nine points left on the schedule. ""They're a great group. I don't know if I've ever been a part of group like this that believes in themselves and believes in each other and love showing up here every day and get along on and off the field.

"It's been great, so I think hopefully they start getting what they deserve out here."

The teams met Aug. 14 in Oklahoma City, and an early goal from Jonathan Top, followed by a penalty kick goal from Sam Garza led Arizona United to a 2-1 win, keeping them in the playoff race at the time. Top earned USL Pro Team of the Week honors for his goal in that game as well as a goal in Arizona United's 3-1 win over Pittsburgh Saturday night. Dellorusso has been pleasantly surprised with Top's recent play.

"Any soccer guy will tell you that (playing) forward is a lot about confidence," Dellorusso said. "It's a confident position. Once you get into a groove and start feeling it, and start believing in yourself, like he has done, he's become a different player."

Top talked about recent discussions he's had with Dellorusso concerning his play.

"He asked me for a few things," Top said. "He asked for some leadership in the group from me. Another thing he talked to me about was that he saw I needed that little bit of extra confidence, and he gave it to me, and luckily and thankfully I've been able to respond well to that."

Goalkeeper Evan Newton has also stepped up his game in recent weeks, and Newton also earned Team of the Week honors for the first time this season, though Dellorusso feels his play could have earned him honors a couple of other times during the season.

"I think he's been tremendous all year," Dellorusso said of Newton's play. "He won us the game in Oklahoma City last week. We had a breakdown at 2-1 and he came up huge and that's what he's got to do, and he's done that for us most of the year.

It's just if we count on him to make one or two big saves and not rely on four or five, I think we're in a good place."

For Newton, while the honor of making Team of the Week is well-deserved, it's not something he dwells on.

"It's a nice honor, it's cool," Newton said, "but it's all about the team, us doing well and getting wins. It's a team thing. I really don't look into it too much."

Dellorusso sat down with the squad earlier this week and watched the tape from last week's Oklahoma City match to look at where they can exploit Oklahoma City's weaknesses.

"We broke it down completely. I watched the game two or three times, that's what I do with every team," Dellorusso said. "I pick and choose what I want to show them. So we showed them where they found success against us and where we found weaknesses with them.

"But we scored three minutes into that game, and that completely changed the game. Anybody that knows soccer knows that. So there's a different mentality from the outset.

"I think they're good at what they're good at. They try to pull our outside backs out. They try to pull our defenders out, and then play in the space. It's just us being a little more disciplined defensively which I think we are."

Dellorusso said the players know they need to show up Friday night.

"If we show up here with a playoff-type attitude, and obviously be here mentally, and take care of the times when there is a lull in the play, then I think we can be OK," Dellorusso said.