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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Arizona United SC Shuts out Vancouver Whitecaps FC

August 23, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Arizona United SC snapped a two-match losing skid at home with a 2-0 shutout win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 at Scottsdale Stadium. The 3,223 fans in attendance were also treated to a special moment: forward Aaron Dennis' first professional goal.

"I've been waiting for it for three games," Dennis said. "Last game I had a few chances and I wasn't as composed as I needed to be. Luckily, for this last one, I was fortunate enough to get the goal."

With Arizona nursing a 1-0 lead late in the match, midfielder Jose "Chiva" Cuevas collected the ball with space in the midfield. He spotted Jonathan Top racing down the right flank of the pitch and sent a long diagonal ball toward the right side of the box.

The ball bounced too high for Top to connect well, but his sideways shot attempt went straight into the ground and bounced over the goalkeeper. Dennis came racing into the box and headed the ball into the back of the net in the 82nd minute to finish off the 2-0 win.

"Oh man, it feels great," Dennis said. "We had a nice little build up. Top got the cross off perfectly and I was right in front of the net. And I was lucky to get it in."

Forward Long Tan opened the match's scoring early in the second half. Teammate Damian Rosales chipped a slick cross into the box from the right to the center of the box and found Tan, who headed the ball past the goalkeeper at the 48th minute.

It was Tan's team-leading 12th goal of the year, which adds another tally to the club's all-time record for goals in a season.

"(Tan) is one of the best players in the league, and he does work that a lot of people don't see," said Arizona United SC head coach Michael Dellorusso. "He pesters the heck out of defenders and he's a pain to play against. Sometimes he doesn't see the glory, but he works for 90 minutes."

The match was scoreless going into the half thanks in large part to goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski, who made five saves.

"I did my job ... that's my job," Woszczynski said. "And in the second half the guys came through, got a couple of goals, and that's all we can ask for."

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