USL Phoenix Rising FC

Arizona United Soccer Club Affiliates with Major League Soccer's FC Dallas

Published on February 9, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 9, 2015) - Arizona United Soccer Club - the state's only professional soccer team - will develop players for Major League Soccer's FC Dallas through an affiliate agreement, the clubs announced today.

The partnership allows FC Dallas to send a minimum of four players from its first team to USL PRO franchise Arizona United SC during the 2015 season. The affiliation is part of the 2013 landmark agreement between MLS and USL PRO, which encourages collaboration between the two leagues to help further the development of professional soccer in the U.S. and Canada.

As part of the comprehensive partnership between the two teams, Arizona United SC will train with FC Dallas in Frisco, Texas from February 21-27.

"This is a major step forward in our efforts to help Arizona players achieve their dream of playing at the highest levels of professional soccer," said Arizona United SC owner Kyle Eng. "FC Dallas has shown over time that it is a national leader in developing soccer players. This partnership allows our players and coaching staff an opportunity to learn from some of the best soccer minds in the business."

"This agreement is a key step in fostering the development of our academy and reserve players," said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. "FC Dallas has one of the top academies in North America. We have signed the most players from our youth academy in league history. This initiative now allows FC Dallas to accelerate the improvement of those young players."

Connections between the two clubs spring from last year, when former FC Dallas defender Michael Dellorusso was named head coach prior to Arizona United SC's inaugural campaign.

After leading the University of Maryland to the 2005 Men's Soccer Division I title, Dellorusso was selected by FC Dallas in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. He appeared in 11 matches from 2006-09. During his four-seasons in Dallas, Dellorusso formed a close bond with then-assistant coach Oscar Pareja, now the FC Dallas head coach.

"My relationship with Oscar stems back to when he was an assistant coach during my first couple of years as a professional player with FC Dallas," said Arizona United SC Head Coach Michael Dellorusso. "Oscar has been an integral part in my development as a coach. We have extremely similar philosophies on the game, which is a major reason this affiliation will be so beneficial for both clubs."

Pareja became FC Dallas' head coach in 2014 and guided the club to its first MLS Playoff appearance after a two-year absence. FC Dallas defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 in the Knockout Round before being eliminated by the Seattle Sounders in the Conference Semifinals.

Arizona United SC enjoyed a productive first USL PRO campaign which wrapped up in September. The club finished one position out of a playoff berth and became the first Arizona team to advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. The club averaged 2,400 fans per home game in Peoria Sports Complex in 2014. In December, Arizona United SC announced Scottsdale Stadium as its home for the 2015 season.

Arizona United makes its 2015 regular season home premiere at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday, April 25 versus Portland Timbers FC 2 at 7:30 p.m.

For full season ticket prices, call the Arizona United Soccer Club front office at 623-594-9606, visit arizonaunited.com/tickets or email info@arizonaunited.com . Season tickets start as low as $12 per game.

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