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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Preview: Arizona United Ready to Begin 2016 Season

February 19, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Real, actual soccer is finally here! Arizona United begins its 2016 campaign with its first preseason match this Saturday, February 20, at the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup. The club will play fellow USL side Swope Park Rangers KC.

Opponent: Swope Park Rangers KC (USL affiliate of Sporting Kansas City)

While this is Arizona's first preseason match of the year, this will be Swope Park's second. They played on opening night of the Desert Diamond Cup and notched an impressive 3-1 win over MLS side Colorado Rapids. And the game winner?

Not too shabby.

This will be the first meeting between the two clubs, but some of Swope Park's players have played against United.

Forward Kris Tyrpak scored two goals in three matches against Arizona for the Austin Aztex.

Defender Christina Duke faced United twice last season as a member of OKC Energy FC, playing all 180 minutes in two shutout wins against the club. (Defender Jacob VanCompernolle was a teammate of Duke's at OKC and played in one match against Arizona).

And goalkeeper Zac Lubin started between the pipes in one game for the Tulsa Roughnecks against United. He allowed just one goal in a 1-1 draw.

Date/Time: Saturday, February 20, 4:30 p.m.

Official Roster*:

Goalkeepers (1): Carl Woszczynski

Defenders (5): Brock Granger, Damian Rosales, Eduar Zea, Julian Ringhof, Scott Morrison

Midfielders (3): Blair Gavin, Jose 'Chiva' Cuevas, Peter Kelly

Forwards (2): Sam Garza, Long Tan

*These are players officially signed for the 2016 season

News and Notes:

This week, Arizona United officially began their preseason training. And what's the beginning of preseason training without the beloved beep test? ... Blair Gavin and Sam Garza, two of United's newest signings, spoke about what they expect for 2016 and what fans can expect from them. ... Following a day of fitness training to begin preseason, players were excited to finally get their feet on a ball in 2016. ... The club announced it signed former Rochester Rhinos defender Julian Ringhof. He will not be with the club for Saturday's match.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from February 19, 2016


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