PEORIA, Ariz. – Arizona United SC has strung together back-to-back wins for the first time this season, defeating Saint Louis FC 2-1 on Saturday at the Peoria Sports Complex. United’s Tyler Blackwood and Long Tan provided the offense while the defense shut down a Saint Louis side that was one shy of matching the single-game goal-scoring record the previous week. United goalkeeper Jordan Stagmiller nearly earned a second straight clean sheet, but a defensive miscue in second-half stoppage time put Sagmiller in a predicament as Jordan Roberts put Saint Louis on the score sheet in the waning moments. Arizona improves to 4-5-3 overall (15 points) and 2-1-2 at home. Saint Louis drops to 5-5-4 overall (19 points) and 3-5-1 on the road.

Scoring:
9’ – AZ – Tyler Blackwood (Luke Rooney)
58’ – AZ – Long Tan (Peter Kelly)
90’+ – STL – Jordan Roberts

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. After enjoying one of the most dominant victories in USL history – a 7-1 drubbing of Tulsa Roughnecks FC – Saint Louis FC was certainly put in its place in the opening minutes against United. Arizona’s Luke Rooney intercepted a long errant pass by STLFC and pushed things the other way, providing a nice through ball to Tyler Blackwood. He tucked the shot inside the right post for a 1-0 United lead. For the third time this year and the second time in two matches, Arizona has scored multiple goals. Veteran Long Tan gave his side a two-goal cushion in the 58th minute, alertly lofting the ball over Saint Louis goalkeeper Mark Pais.

• 2. While this trend is coincidental at the moment, Arizona has performed admirably in back-to-back games against teams that posted their best performance of the season in the previous match. On Saturday it was Saint Louis FC, which enjoyed a seven-goal performance against Tulsa, only to be held in check against Arizona. United’s previous result was a 2-0 win against Orange County Blues FC, and the Blues were coming off a stellar 5-2 comeback victory against Seattle Sounders FC 2 the previous week.

• 3. Saint Louis’ attack was a bit slow to start, but the opportunities grew as the match progressed. The frame was the visiting side’s worst enemy in two instances. Chad Bond made the goal frame reverberate in the 30th minute. His free kick attempt from 23 yards out clanged off of the crossbar as Arizona goalkeeper Jordan Stagmiller did not even move. Then in the 65th minute, Jamiel Hardware’s volley was flush from the right side, but it struck the crossbar and went out for a United goal kick.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Luke Rooney, Arizona United SC – Rooney provided a textbook setup to Tyler Blackwood for the opening goal and threatened the Saint Louis net on several occasions throughout the night.

Upcoming Games:
Arizona United SC at Rio Grande Valley FC – June 22, 8:30 p.m. ET, UT Rio Grande Valley Soccer Complex
Saint Louis FC vs. Portland Timbers 2 – June 25, 8:30 p.m. ET, World Wide Technology Soccer Park