USL Phoenix Rising FC

U.S. Open Cup Challenge Could Give Arizona United a Boost

May 31, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Arizona United Soccer Club faces a familiar foe in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup tomorrow evening at Peoria Sports Complex: fellow United Soccer League side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

"We'll know what they're about and they'll know what we're about and it will be a nice little opportunity to get some revenge," said Arizona United midfielder Blair Gavin. "They came here and beat us and we still have some of that sour taste in our mouth and we're going to bring that energy onto the field Wednesday."

The Switchbacks have been a thorn in the side of Arizona United beyond a 3-1 win over the club on May 21. United is 0-4-0 all time against Colorado Springs in league play. But head coach Frank Yallop didn't attribute the previous record to anything Arizona is or isn't doing. The Switchbacks are just good.

"They're a very physical team and I think the set plays and direct plays, that they do, catch a lot of teams off guard," Yallop said. "They're not near the top off the league for any reason other than that they're a good team."

This third round match in the U.S. Open Cup comes at a good time for Arizona. The team doesn't have a match this coming weekend and will not pick up league play again until June 11.

"It's good way to build momentum for the season," said goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski. "Everyone is going to be up for it. ... Getting a win in this game could really propel us going (back) into the season, kind of bounce back from these couple of losses and take that momentum going forward."

Arizona United SC will square off with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Wednesday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. The winner of the match will travel to Colorado to take on the top club in Major League Soccer, the Colorado Rapids, on Wednesday, June 15, in the fourth round.

Notes: Even though Arizona United will take on a fellow USL opponent on Wednesday night, the rules for U.S. Open Cup are slightly different than for USL matches.

Yes, the match will still have a running clock (counting up) and two 45 minute halves. But, since the U.S. Open Cup is governed by FIFA rules and not USL rules, coaches are only allowed to use three substitutions, instead of five. Also, if the match is tied after 90 minutes, the teams will not pack it up and head home. In the event of a tie, the clubs will play two 15-minute halves of extra time (no sudden death). If the teams are still tied after 120 minutes of soccer, they will then proceed to penalty kicks.

So, if the match is tied and the final seconds of stoppage time are ticking away, be prepared for the possibility of 3o minutes of free soccer.

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