OREM, Utah – Arizona United SC scored three second-half goals as the visiting side defeated Real Monarchs SLC 3-0 on Friday at Clyde Field. Chris Cortez and Tyler Blackwood scored back-to-back in a span of eight minutes and United goal-scoring leader Long Tan put the match well out of reach when he converted an 86th-minute penalty kick. It marked United’s first road win since April 15, which also happened to be against the Monarchs at this same locale on the campus of Utah Valley University. These are the only two Monarchs home matches at Clyde Field this season. With the victory, Arizona improved to 5-7-6 (21 points) overall and 3-5-2 on the road while ending a five-game winless streak (0-2-3). The Monarchs fell to 6-19-4 (22 points) overall and 2-5-2 at home.

Scoring:
49’ – AZ – Chris Cortez
57’ – AZ – Tyler Blackwood (Long Tan)
86’ – AZ – Long Tan (penalty)

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. After a scoreless first half, it was all Arizona in the early going of the second. United’s Long Tan crossed the ball in from the right side near the end line and Monarchs goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez tried to intercept. The ball popped out and Chris Cortez beat a pair of Monarchs defenders to the ball as he fired top-shelf for a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute. Then in the 57th minute Arizona countered well, with Tan providing a perfect ball from midfield to lead Tyler Blackwood. Blackwood’s low shot eluded Fernandez and found the inside of the right post for a two-goal cushion.

• 2. Arizona dictated play throughout much of the game and made it a busy night for Fernandez. Despite three goals conceded, Fernandez overall had plenty of strong moments, which is a scary thought considering what the final score line turned out to be. He turned away Tan on a number of occasions, including back-to-back stops in the 51st and 53rd minutes. The first of these two, Fernandez batted the ball away with his right glove while he was looking into the sun. Then two minutes later, Tan made a nice run to gain a brief one-on-one opportunity against Fernandez, and the Monarchs goalkeeper won the battle again as he turned away Tan’s attempt toward the near left post. Fernandez stuffed another Tan attempt in the 83rd minute, but Tan eventually found his goal with a PK in the closing minutes for his seventh of the season.

• 3. Friday night marked the return from suspension of Arizona United SC midfielder Matheus Silva. The San Jose Earthquakes loanee originally was issued a three-game suspension by the USL Disciplinary Committee for his actions during a 1-1 draw against the Swope Park Rangers on July 9. United appealed the suspension and it was reduced to one game, as he served during Arizona’s 3-2 loss against Seattle Sounders FC 2 last week. Silva had an early impact in just the fourth minute Friday when he stole the ball in the midfield, beginning a sequence that generated a left-footed strike from Blackwood on the left side of the box. Fernandez had to lunge back with his own left foot to make the save as Arizona could have gained the early advantage.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Long Tan, Arizona United SC – Tan scored his team-leading seventh goal and added a beautiful assist to set up Tyler Blackwood as he was United’s most active player in the final third.

Upcoming Games:
Real Monarchs SLC at Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Aug. 1, 10:30 p.m. ET, Starfire Stadium
Arizona United SC vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC – July 30, 10:30 p.m. ET, Peoria Sports Complex