Arizona United Arizona United SC defeat Orange County Blues FC

IRVINE, Calif. (Saturday, July 12, 2014) – Goals on either side of the half from forwards Brad Stisser and Jon Okafor propelled Arizona United Soccer Club to a 2-1 win over Orange County Blues FC at Anteater Stadium on the campus of the University of California, Irvine on Saturday night.

The win over Orange County Blues FC snapped a four-match losing streak on the road and in USL PRO league play. Stisser’s goal was his first of the season, and Okafor’s goal was his third in as many matches played. Arizona United SC is now 13th in the USL PRO standings and five points out of a playoff spot.

Arizona United SC dominated possession in the first half and held the majority of chances in the final third over Orange County Blues FC. However, multiple shots that missed the target or were blocked by Blues FC goalkeeper Patrick McLain from newly signed Long Tan and captain Matt Kassel held Arizona United SC from lighting up the scoreboard in the first 30 minutes of play.

Arizona United SC’s persistence and constant attack paid off in the 37th minute when Widner Saint-Cyr played a long ball to Long Tan who then passed to Daniel Antúnez on the right side. Antúnez dribbled around a defender and slotted a ball down the line to Schillo Tshuma who looked up and sent in a long cross. Unmarked on top of the box, Stisser volleyed his shot into the far post for the opening goal.

Okafor was brought on as a second-half substitute in the 64th minute and made his impact on the match ten minutes later when he headed in Scott Morrison’s corner kick to double Arizona United SC’s lead.

Orange County Blues FC cut the lead in half in the 77th minute, but was held at bay by Arizona United SC, who chased down every ball and won multiple 50-50 balls in the dying minutes to hold onto the 2-1 victory.

Arizona United SC will travel to Oklahoma City Energy FC on Thursday before hosting Orange County Blues FC on Saturday, July 19 at the Peoria Sports Complex. Tickets may be purchased here.

-Arizona United Soccer Club Match Report-

Match: Arizona United Soccer Club vs. Orange County Blues FC

Date: Saturday, July 12, 2014

Competition: USL PRO

Venue: Anteater Stadium

Kickoff: 7:00 PM PDT

Weather: Clear, and 79 degrees

Scoring Summary 1 2 F Arizona United Soccer Club 1 1 2 Orange County Blues FC 0 1 1

Scoring Summary:

AZ – Brad Stisser (assist: Schillo Tshuma) –

AZ – Jon Okafor (assist: Jon Okafor –

OC – Enrique Cardenas (assist: Cesar Rivera)

Misconduct Summary:

AZ – London Woodberry (Yellow)

OC – Jacob Barron (Yellow)

AZ – Mohammad Roknipour (Yellow)

AZ – Fabrice Gautrat (Yellow)

Saves Corners Fouls Offsides Shots AZU 1 2 8 4 13 OC 2 3 6 1 7

Lineups:

Arizona United SC: Evan Newton, Scott Morrison, Tyler Ruthven (Jalen Robinson – 68), London Woodberry, Widner Saint-Cyr, Paolo DelPiccolo, Matt Kassel (Joey Dillon – 72), Daniel Antúnez, Long Tan, Schillo Tshuma (Jon Okafor – 63), Brad Stisser (Kadeem Dacres – 87)

Did not play: Jacole Turner, Charles Renken, Bradlee Baladez

Orange County Blues FC: Patrick McLain, Seth Moses, James Turner (Edgar Santana – 46), Fabrice Gautrat, Joshua Suggs, Jacob Barron (Christopher Santana – 73), Stephen Okai, Gabriel Gonzalez, Mehrshad Momeni (Enrique Cardenas – 37), Allan Russell (Andrew Hoxie – 78), Mohammad Roknipour (Cesar Rivera – 64)

Did not play: Aaron Perez, Seung Ju Kim