USL PRO Game Report
Saturday, June 28, 2014
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Three unanswered goals, including a stoppage-time winner in the 94th minute, propelled the Orange County Blues FC to a 3-2 victory over Arizona United SC on Saturday night at the Peoria Sports Complex.
Arizona United SC took a two-goal advantage in the first half on goals from Jon Okafor in the 19th minute and Kadeem Dacres in the 36th minute, but as Arizona United SC pushed for a third goal before the halftime break Orange County Blues FC countered in the 41st minute and drew a penalty after goalkeeper Evan Newton clipped Enrique Cardenas. Allan Russell stepped up to take the penalty, and calmly cut the lead in half.
Orange County Blues FC equalized in the 66th minute on a James Turner long ball that sailed over the Arizona United SC backline to an unmarked Josh Suggs, who chipped Newton inside the box.
Arizona United SC looked as if they took the lead back in the second minute of stoppage time on a Dacres header inside the box from Tyler Ruthven’s service, but Dacres was deemed offside.
The Blues completed the comeback in the fourth minute of stoppage time when a lofted ball over the Arizona United SC backline found a streaking Andrew Hoxie, who dribbled into the box, cut a defender, and finished into the far post.
The loss was Arizona United SC’s eighth on the season, and snapped a two-match undefeated streak at home.
Okafor’s goal was the first on the season for him, as Paolo DelPiccolo provided the assist on free kick from the left wing. Dacres’ goal was his second on the season, and was setup from a brilliant ball by London Woodberry, who split the Orange County Blues FC backline. Dacres dribbled into the box, and finished into the far post.
Arizona United SC will head out of the road for its next three-matches. Next match is July 4 against LA Galaxy II, before a road contest against Orange County Blues FC on July 12. Arizona United SC will wrap up the road trip against OKC Energy FC July 17, and will then return home to host Orange County Blues FC Jul7 19.