U.S. Open Cup Game Report
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A stoppage-time winner capped off an Arizona United Soccer Club comeback that included three goals in the final ten minutes to defeat the Portland Timbers U-23s, 3-2, in the second round of the 101st edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night at Providence Park.
Trailing for more than 73 minutes, Arizona United SC cut the lead in half when defender Daniel Antúnez attacked space and played to Kadeem Dacres inside the Timbers U-23s half in the 84th minute. Dacres turned and charged up the middle of the pitch and fired a shot on the edge of the box that was blocked by a defender. Dacres followed through, and directed his next shot into the far post.
Arizona United SC scored the equalizer four minutes later on a build up out of the back that started with goalkeeper Evan Newton. He connected with defender Bryan Gallego, who then launched a ball over the Timbers U-23s backline. Bradlee Baladez collected the ball near the touchline and whipped a cross into the box. Second-half substitute London Woodberry knocked the ball down with an outstretched leg and placed a low shot past a diving goalkeeper.
The match-winning goal came from the leg of Antúnez five minutes into stoppage time when sustained pressure by Arizona United SC led to a Baladez shot from outside the box that was deflected out for a corner. DelPiccolo curled a corner into the box that that found Jon Okafor, who headed the ball at the net. Timbers U-23s goalkeeper Justin Luthy managed to get a touch on the ball and knocked the shot high in the air. Okafor rose up and headed the ball back towards the goal before it found Antúnez, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
The victory has advanced Arizona United SC to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup that will be played on Wednesday, May 28 against the winner of Oklahoma City Energy FC and Tulsa Athletics on Wednesday, May 14.
The Timbers U-23s goals came off of set pieces in the first half. In the 11th minute Jesse Garcia-Aguilar sent a piecing cross into the box that found the head of Kyle Fisher, who out-jumped Newton for the opening goal. Timbers U-23s struck again in the 45th minute when David Rose’s kick from the right-wing went untouched along its path before tucking into the left-side netting.
Arizona United SC will return to USL PRO league play this Saturday, as they host league leaders Orlando City SC at 7 p.m. at the Peoria Sports Complex.