USL Phoenix Rising FC

Two Unbeaten Streaks Clash When Arizona United Takes on Sacramento Republic

June 24, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Arizona United Soccer Club takes a three-match unbeaten streak (two wins and a draw) into tomorrow night's match up with Sacramento Republic FC at 7:30 P.M. at the Peoria Sports Complex. The club comes off a 1-1 road draw on Wednesday against Rio Grande Valley FC.

Arizona United head coach Frank Yallop was encouraged by his team's performance and ability to come back from a goal deficit to earn a tough road draw. He believes that fight will serve them well heading into tomorrow's match, despite the challenge of facing one of the top teams in the league.

"The shame is that Sacramento is not (coming off) a midweek game," Yallop said on Wednesday night. "So they're going to be out on the front foot at our place. But I have a lot of faith in our boys. I think we fight and we scrap and we're looking forward to the game. ... We're not going to lay down die, that's for sure. We're going to try and get three points at home and play our best."

United's most recent turnaround was sparked by back-to-back home wins over OC Blues FC and Saint Louis FC. But keeping the good form going in front of the home crowd will be challenging against Sacramento. United's opponent rides into Arizona on a seven-match unbeaten streak (although only two of those wins were on the road).

Arizona United currently sits at 12th place in the Western Conference with 4-5-4 record. But their 16 points is just two points behind the final playoff spot in the West. (The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs) and just three points behind the fifth-place club in the standings.

Sacramento Republic comes into the match with a 7-3-3 record and sits in second place with 24 points, just four points behind the top team in the conference, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2

Scouting Report: There's no simpler way of putting it: Sacramento is good. The team hasn't lost since April 30 and during its seven-match unbeaten run they've shutout opponents three times and have allowed allowed just one goal and additional two games. They've outscored their opponents 13-6.

The most dangerous player on the field will be the defending USL Player of the Week, Cameron Iwasa. His five goals leads the team and he's coming off a two-goal, one-assist match last week. The club has three more players with at least two goals this season, but Iwasa is the key.

Previous meeting: This will actually be the second time this season Arizona United takes on Sacramento Republic after a mid-week match. In their last meeting, Arizona battled for 80-plus minutes of tight, scoreless soccer. But a an 84-minute goal from Iwasa was the difference in a 1-0 loss.

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