USL Phoenix Rising FC

New Faces Sprinkled into United Lineup

June 27, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Arizona United in Action
Arizona United in Action
(Phoenix Rising FC)

Saturday's 1-1 draw with Sacramento, saw Arizona United head coach Yallop mix new faces into his starting lineup. Yallop added new signing Adam West to the backline and inserted loanee Matheus Silva into the midfield.

West is a recent signing from Louisville City FC and despite only a handful of practices with United, played 62 minutes against Sacramento.

"I've known Adam for a long time," Yallop said. "Known him from a few camps when I was in San Jose. I've always liked his style. He is a strong kid, gets up and down, his work rate is great. I think he did great. He's only trained a few days with us and I think he did a great job."

Silva, playing in his third game with United, played the full 90 minutes. Silva is on loan from Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes.

"I've known him in preseason and he was once in San Jose playing," Yallop said. "We don't have an affiliation with them but he is one I like and I spoke to (San Jose Earthquakes coach Dominic Kinnear) and we've had him in for a few games and he's done a nice job. He is more comfortable in the middle but he does a job all over. It is good to have him."

Offensive Upswing: Early in the season, Arizona United struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just seven goals in their first ten games of league play. After that difficult loss to Colorado Springs, the offense has started to find its rhythm with goals coming early and often.

United has scored six goals in their last four league matches. In three of those matches, United has scored the match's first goal.

A lot of the offensive production has come from Tyler Blackwood, who has three goals in three straight games. With Chris Cortez's recent return from injury, combined with the ever-dangerous Long Tan, United's top line appears to hitting their stride.

"Yeah I mean it takes awhile and usually goals come in bunches and they are certainly coming for Tyler right now," Yallop said. "I mean Long should have scored too, one tonight and one in the other game on Wednesday night, he should have scored. So really to be honest they both could be on the score sheet. But they both look dangerous, they are getting good chances and that is the main thing."

Turning things around: After a 3-0 loss to the Colorado Switchbacks in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, Arizona United players held a players-only meeting to regroup in order to take on the second half of their season.

Since then, United is now unbeaten in their last four games.

"Yeah I said a few things (to the team)," Yallop said. "They had a players meeting as well. You just have to figure it out. There is no blame, I don't blame anybody but at some point you draw a line in the sand and say 'Look we can't keep doing this. (It's) not good enough.' We've come a long way since that. ... All in all we picked ourselves up from those results and now we look like a decent side."

Busy Schedule: This past week marked the third time this season that United has played three games in the span of a week. But, it was the first time the club picked up a point in all three games.

Arizona now has five days to rest before traveling to Tulsa to take on Roughnecks FC on Friday night.

"We'll just get the guys regrouped and get ready for the next game," Yallop said. "We've done well in the last four games; two wins and two ties. It could have been three but you can't dwell on it, you've just got to look to the next game."

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Arizona United in Action
Arizona United in Action
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 27, 2016


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