Sports stats



USL Phoenix Rising FC

Defense a Major Key During United's Unbeaten Streak

May 13, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Arizona United Soccer Club goes back on the road this weekend for a clash with Western Conference foe OC Blues FC on Saturday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. And even though the club has scored just twice in its last three matches, its defense has helped Arizona United come into Saturday with a three-match unbeaten streak.

"We work a lot on defense as well as the attack (in training)," said assistant coach Marc Bircham. "It's a team effort. It starts with the strikers and center forwards. If they close, then it makes the defenders job easier."

During its three-match unbeaten streak, Arizona United has allowed just one goal. For the season, United has allowed six goals in seven matches, putting the team firmly in the top half of the conference defensively.

"In preseason we struggled quite a bit and allowed a bunch of goals," said Arizona United defender Julian Ringhof. "And (our season opener) we were poor defensively. but ever since then we sat together as a back four and talked things through. I think we're getting better every week."

One defender who has stuck out recently is rookie Uchenna Uzo. In a rarity for a defender, Uzo provided fans with the highlight of the evening during Arizona United's 0-0 draw with OKC Energy last Saturday.

Late in the match, the Energy's Danni Konig received a through ball and was charging toward the net from the right side of the pitch. Uzo rushed from the top of the box to meet him for a stand up tackle.

After the two players bodied up, Uzo remained upright, standing over Konig who had gone tumbling into the turf. The crowd went wild.

"That was my best pro game yet," Uzo said. "But there's room for improvement. I need to play better than that and I know I ca play better than that."

Added Bircham: "(We want) him to think defensively, not just reaction defending because he's strong and powerful so he can react and get away with stuff. We want him to actually think as a defender so he's one step ahead of (offensive) moves. So if he can do that, (he's) got a great chance to progress. He's coming along nicely."

Scouting Report: This season, OC Blues FC hasn't been beating teams with a powerful offense. They've only scored one goal in each of their three wins. (They also scored just one goal in a draw). In their other three matches this season (losses) they scored a combined one goal.

Previous meetings: Thanks to proximity and USL scheduling, the cubs have played each other eight times in two seasons. The series itself is very even. Arizona United is 4-4-0 in the all-time series. They've gone 2-2-0 in each of the last two seasons.

Check out the Phoenix Rising FC Statistics

• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...

United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 13, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central