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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Previous Open Cup Appearances Exhilarating and Upsetting for United

May 18, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Arizona United Soccer Club is set to participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the third time ever. This will be the second time in two years that United will begin their quest for the Open Cup on the road.

Arizona's first Open Cup appearance began on May 13, 2014 against PDL side Portland Timbers U-23. The Timbers team, who ended the 2014 with a 5-5-4 record, was dominant for most of the game as they took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

United eventually found the back of the net after Kadeem Dacres followed up his initial shot and slammed home the rebound in the 84th minute. Four minutes later, Arizona equalized.

With the clock ticking toward the end of the match, United goalkeeper Evan Newton distributed the ball out to defender Bryan Gallego. The defender then sent a long ball over the top of the Portland defense where, eventually, Bradlee Baladez reached the ball near the touchline. He whipped a cross into the box toward second-half sub London Woodberry. After bringing the ball down, Woodberry sent a low shot to beat the keeper and make it 2-2.

Five minutes into stoppage time, United completed its comeback. A corner found the head of Jon Okafor who headed the ball towards goal. After an initial save, Okafor headed the ball toward teammate Daniel Antunez, who buried his shot to make the match 3-2.

It was the club's first-ever U.S. Open Cup win. But, the run was not over.Two weeks later, Arizona kicked off against fellow USL side OKC Energy FC.

United benefited from a red card to OKC Energy FC early in the second half and dominated possession. But it wasn't until the 84th minute that Arizona finally scored off a header from Okafor.

Despite the late deficit on the scoreboard and on the pitch, the Energy managed to pressure Arizona late in the match. Two minutes into stoppage time, OKC's Kyle Greg equalized with a diving header to send the match into extra time.

In the 114th-minute, Arizona went ahead for the second time in the match as midfielder Bradlee Baladez scored off of a well-executed volley. But the goal wasn't enough to put away OKC right away. Two minutes later, United's Joey Dillon earned a red card to even up the two sides. Then the Energy drew a penalty in the 119th minute for a chance to send the match into PKs.

With the hopes of a win in extra time riding on goalkeeper Evan Newton, he dove to his left and blocked the shot with his outstretched arm. United held on for the final minutes to preserve the win and move on to the 4th round of the U.S. Open Cup, setting a record for the deepest run by any club from Arizona.

Unfortunately, the club's 2014 run ended with a fourth-round loss to the LA Galaxy, the eventual MLS Champions. Arizona started off strongly in front of a then-record home crowd as captain Matt Kassel put the team up, 1-0 in 37th-minute. But, in the second half, Gyasi Zardes, who is now a fixture on the U.S. Men's National Team, scored the equalizer in the 51st minute and hammered home the game winner two minutes later.

United's 2015 U.S. Open Cup appearance didn't go as well. Despite playing in front of the home crowd, Arizona fell, 3-0, to Chula Vista FC on May 20, 2015.

Wednesday's opponent, FC Tucson, has participated in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice. Last season, the lost their opening match to Chula Vista FC. In 2013, the club eliminated two professional teams (Phoenix FC and the San Antonio Scorpions) before falling in the third round to the Houston Dynamo.

Last week, FC Tucson won it's opening-round match with a 3-0 win over San Nicolas FC.

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