USL Phoenix Rising FC

Arizona United Prepared for Bounce Back

August 20, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Week 22 - Arizona United Soccer Club hits the road again, this time to Canada, to take on Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, August 21 at 3:00 P.M. It's the second match this week for Arizona United SC and the second time the club has taken on WFC2 this season.

On Wednesday, Arizona United fell to San Antonio FC, 3-2, despite a brace from midfielder Luke Rooney. But, in matches immediately following a loss, Arizona United SC is 5-2-1.

Assistant coach Marc Bircham credited the team's success following losses to the way the coaching staff challenges the players following bad games.

"We like to judge and test our players after they've had a bad game," Bircham said. "That's how you can tell how good players are. If they've not played well, how do they react. Fortunately, throughout the season, we've had a (positive) reaction from the guys when they've not played well. We've told them and shown them where they've gone wrong and they normally react and respond really well."

A quick turnaround time also helps, according to defender Adam West.

"We (don't) have to wait for a week and let (a loss) soak in," West said. "We're just excited to get back on the field and make things right and come out with a better performance."

Despite the Wednesday loss, Bircham said he was encouraged buy the team's performance in the second half against San Antonio FC. Arizona was the better attacking team for much of the half, and missed out on several scoring chances. Creating chances won't be the difficult part on Sunday. It'll be improving the back line.

"Last game, we weren't sharp and we weren't in the right positions," West said. "Whether it was heavy legs or not we need to be where we're supposed (to be). So we just need to clean things up in our shape and how we respond to second balls and, really, our attitude toward defense."

Scouting Report: After spending much of the season comfortably in first place, Whitecaps FC 2 has been caught by at least two teams and could be overtaken if the club keeps its current form. In their last five matches, they've gone 1-2-2 (they lost back-to-back matches heading into this last five-match stretch). Sunday is an opportunity to turn things around and get stronger heading into the postseason. In the three matches all time in this series, the home team has won every match.

Previous meeting: Western Conference-leading Whitecaps FC 2 jumped out to a 2-0 lead over United at Peoria Sports Complex. But two Rooney goals and a game-winner from Chris Cortez in stoppage time allowed Arizona to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

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