IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County Blues FC and Arizona United SC played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at Anteater Stadium in a game that saw the host hit the woodwork five times as the game ended level. The Blues twice went close to opening the scoring in the first half as Pavle Popara struck the left post early, and Didier Crettenand the right post late as the game remained scoreless at the halftime break. Crettenand then hit the crossbar just before the hour-mark, but a minute later Arizona took the lead as Luke Rooney drove home a finish from 20 yards into the left corner of the net. Orange County found an equalizer with 12 minutes to go, however, as Baccielo volleyed home Roy Meeus’ back-post corner from the right. Baccielo then hit the crossbar with three minutes to go as Orange County looked for a winner, but the honors ended even.

Scoring:
59’ – AZ – Luke Rooney (Miquel Timm)
78’ – OC – Dan Baccielo (Roy Meeus)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Orange County will leave this game wondering what it had to do to earn all three points. With the number of times the Blues hit the woodwork, you would think they had a sponsorship deal with Black & Decker, but instead three points slipped away as the frame of the goal proved Arizona goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski’s best friend on the night.

• 2. As much pressure as it sustained throughout the game, Arizona easily could have stolen victory on the road in front of an impressive contingent of travelling support. Luke Rooney’s goal was a beauty, and both Tyler Blackwood and Rooney had chances that were denied after the Blues had tied the game up.

• 3. While it took a while to get going, once the game found its feet it provided fantastic entertainment at either end. It would have been easy for Arizona to try and shut up shop after the Blues found an equalizer with just over 10 minutes to go, but instead the visitors went after a winner strongly late on as well as the hosts, giving fans the sort of entertainment that everyone hopes will come about when they arrive at the stadium before the game.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Dan Baccielo, Orange County Blues FC – Baccielo’s first goal for the Blues earned his side a point, but he was a solid threat throughout the game and almost gave his side victory in the final five minutes, only to be denied by the crossbar.

Upcoming Games:

May 21: Orange County Blues FC at Real Monarchs SLC, 9 p.m. ET, Ute Soccer Field

May 21: Arizona United SC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 10:30 p.m. ET, Peoria Sports Complex