Yallop Confident in Squad Heading into Sacramento
April 1, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release
Week 2 - Arizona United Soccer Club concludes its two-city-one-week swing this Saturday, April 2, when it takes on Sacramento Republic FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM and the stream can be viewed at ArizonaUnited.com.
"It's not going to be easy as were coming off a road mid-week game," said Arizona United head coach Frank Yallop. "Sacramento played last week at Seattle, got back, trained all week and have been waiting for us. But I'm sure my guys will be ready to go and to test themselves against a good team that's playing at home. And we're not afraid of anybody."
Yallop pointed out the club's 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Wednesday as an example of how well the team can play on the road. In that match, United started as the more aggressive team. That attack led to two goals within the match's first 25 minutes. Gibson Bardsley hammered home a header in the 16th minute. Chris Cortez doubled the lead in the 24th minute.
Arizona returns to Bonney Field after concluding the 2015 season in Sacramento. In that match, goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski had what he described as the best game of his career. During a tense 0-0 draw, Wosczcynski turned away six shots on net, many of them highlight-worthy. It was enough to earn begrudging respect from the Sacramento crowd.
"I hope he doesn't have to make as many saves this time," Yallop joked. "I think Carl has been good in the two games he's had. I'm very happy with his performances so far. ... And hopefully he has a good performance this Saturday. But as Carl would tell you, it's about the guys in front of him. And he didn't have much to do on (Wednesday night) and it's a credit to the whole defensive demeanor of the team."
Following the club's win on Wednesday night, Yallop spoke about how happy he was with the team's growth. He pointed out that because of injuries to various players on the roster over the course of preseason, the team wasn't able to work together as a unit for very long. But just the jump in improvement from match one to match two is encouraging for Yallop heading into the weekend.
"Tough game this Saturday, but I feel we're ready for the challenge and ready to go," Yallop said.
Scouting Report: Sacramento Republic FC won its season-opening match at Seattle Sounders FC 2, 1-0. In that match, the team scored it's lone goal on a penalty kick from Thomas Stewart. Defensively, the club shut down S2, only allowing one shot on goal the entire match. The defense played so well that defender Chris Christian was named to the USL Team of the Week.
Previous meetings: Arizona United picked up just one point out of a possible six against Sacramento last season, going 0-1-1. The teams have met six time in their all-time series. Arizona United is 1-3-2.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 1, 2016
- Game Preview: Orange County Blues FC vs Saint Louis FC - Orange County SC
- KMYU Adds 10 Real Monarchs Matches to 2016 MLS/USL Television Schedule - Real Monarchs
- Real Salt Lake Calls up Pair of Monarchs for Saturday at Kansas City - Real Monarchs
- Battery Draw Short-Handed Orlando City B in Melbourne, Fla. - Charleston Battery
- Kickers Battle Wilmington to Scoreless Draw - Richmond Kickers
- OC Blues Sign Sacramento Republic's Ivan Mirkovic - Orange County SC
- Sacramento Republic FC Transfer Midfielder Ivan Mirkovic - Sacramento Republic FC
- Game Preview: Swope Park Rangers at Tulsa Roughnecks FC - Sporting Kansas City II
- Arizona United Soccer Club Adds Luke Rooney and Tyler Blackwood to Roster - Phoenix Rising FC
- Rhinos Begin Title Defense against Riverhounds in Week 2 - USL
- Bethlehem Steel FC to Face FC Cincinnati in First Home Game - Philadelphia Union II
- Sacramento Republic FC Receive Mark Sherrod on Loan from MLS Affiliate San Jose Earthquakes - Sacramento Republic FC
- San Antonio FC Announces Broadcast Schedule for 2016 Season - San Antonio FC
- Yallop Confident in Squad Heading into Sacramento - Phoenix Rising FC
- Rhinos Kickoff 2016 Season Saturday in Pittsburgh - Rochester Rhinos
- Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Arizona United SC - Sacramento Republic FC
- San Antonio FC Travels to Seattle for First Match in Club History - San Antonio FC
- LouCity to Open at Home vs. Red Bulls II - Louisville City FC
- Saint Louis FC Looking for First Win against OC Blues Saturday - Saint Louis FC
- LouCity Welcomes Fred Cowgill, Bob Valvano & Jim Wombwell to 2016 Broadcast - Louisville City FC
- Campbell Cleared for Season Opener - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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