US Open Cup Game Report
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
PEORIA, Ariz. - Arizona United Soccer Club's run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup came to a close on Wednesday night following a 2-1 loss to Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy in front of 4,018 fans at the Peoria Sports Complex.
Arizona United SC captain Matt Kassel put the home side up a goal heading into the halftime break, but a second-half brace from LA Galaxy midfielder Gyasi Zardes ultimately ended Arizona United SC's run in the fourth round of the knockout tournament.
When Arizona United SC defeated OKC Energy FC, 2-1, on May 28, the first-year franchise became the first team in Arizona's soccer history to advance to the fourth round.
Arizona United SC enjoyed a strong start to the match and held the majority of the possession in the first half. The payoff occurred in the 37th-minute when converted defender Daniel Antúnez won a 50-50 on the right-touchline in the LA Galaxy half and played a diagonal ball to forward Kadeem Dacres, who then charged into the box. He whipped in a low cross that was then redirected into the net by Kassel for his first goal in all competitions.
The Galaxy emerged the stronger side after the restart, and Zardes got the team going moments into second half when goalkeeper Evan Newton smothered his shot in the 46th minute.
Zardes eventually found the back of the net twice, and both goals scored were from cross-and-headers on opposites sides. Defender Robbie Rogers recorded the assist on the first goal in the 51st minute and midfielder Stefan Ishizaki noticed the second assist in the 53rd minute.
The Galaxy then peppered the Arizona United SC goal for the majority of the half until the final 10 minutes when Arizona United SC started to deploy more players forward.
Okafor had a look in the 80th minute that went wide, and had the best chance for an Arizona United SC equalizer in the 88th minute when a loose ball broke through the LA Galaxy backline. Okafor got a touch on the ball, but goalkeeper Jaime Penedo made a huge diving save to preserve the victory.