PEORIA, Ariz. – Mackenzie Pridham scored in the final minute as Sacramento Republic FC grabbed a 1-1 draw against Arizona United SC on Saturday night at the Peoria Sports Complex. Arizona had the first big chance as Long Tan was played in at the top of the penalty area, but Sacramento goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek made a big kick-save to deny him. Sacramento then came close four minutes before the break, but Tyler Blackwood tracked back to clear Cameron Iwasa’s shot off the line with a header. Tan came close again four minutes into the second half, but his shot hit the left post and was cleared, but five minutes later Blackwood controlled beautifully on the left side of the penalty area, and fired home a low finish for a 1-0 lead. Sacramento pushed for an equalizer late on, and after some good pressure it finally arrived in the final minute as Pridham headed home Danny Barrera’s cross to earn his side a point.

Scoring:
54’ – AZ – Tyler Blackwood
90 – SAC – Mackenzie Pridham (Danny Barrera)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Tyler Blackwood’s second goal of the week may have given Arizona the lead early in the second half, but the young English forward’s biggest moment of the game may have come in the first half as he tracked the run of Sacramento’s Cameron Iwasa from midfield as he broke into the penalty area, and then positioned himself perfectly to head away Iwasa’s shot to make a last-gasp clearance and keep his side on level terms just before halftime.

• 2. Sacramento had taken its chances well in building a seven-game undefeated streak over recent weeks, but on Saturday night Republic FC’s scoring touch went astray until the final minute of the contest when Mackenzie Pridham’s late equalizer allowed the streak to continue. The goal was arguably deserved with the manner in which Sacramento had pressed in the closing stages, and was a tough blow for Arizona as it fell just short of its third consecutive win at home.

• 3. Just short of the halfway point of the season of its season, the changes Arizona made this offseason appear to be coming to fruition as the team takes a five-game undefeated streak on the road for the USL Game of the Week against Tulsa Roughnecks FC next Friday. The toughness and work-rate instilled by Coach Frank Yallop appears to be taking hold, and while the side conceded a late equalizer on Saturday night, it appears well equipped to make a run in the second half of its season.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Tyler Blackwood, Arizona United SC – Blackwood put in a big two-way performance, including a clutch goal line clearance and the opening goal of the game, as Arizona extended its undefeated streak to five games.

Upcoming Games:

Arizona United SC at Tulsa Roughnecks FC – July 1, 8:30 p.m. ET, ONEOK Field

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2 – July 2, 11 p.m. ET, Bonney Field