FC Arizona Defeats ASC San Diego 2-1 in Opener

By FC Arizona

In a well-contested match between FC Arizona and ASC San Diego, FC Arizona came out victorious with a 2-1 victory after 93 minutes of play under the charge of newly appointed head coach Noel Castillo.  

Both teams worked hard in the first half to figure out the vulnerabilities of their opponent and demonstrated nimble attacks, deft touch, and crisp passing.  FC Arizona was finally able to crack the scoreline after a foul in the box.  FC Arizona forward Tobenna Uzo was up to the challenge and buried the shot in the lower left corner to put FC Arizona up 1-0 at the half. 

The second half began aggressively with both sides earning opportunities.  

Through the 80th minute, play was even with both sides showing an admirable quality of play.  ASC San Diego had a clear opportunity on a shot that the FC Arizona had to parry away over the bar.  In the 74th minute, San Diego found the net after a give and go left forward Marcos Rodrigo Celestino Marin with a simple strike to the right corner past the FC Arizona keeper.   

FC Arizona scored in the 82nd minute after a terrific counter with wing midfielder Ayden Von Essen playing a perfect ball to the top of the box where Uzo found his brace in the lower right corner.  In the 84th minute, ASC San Diego had another chance with a bouncing ball in front of a keeperless net but central defender Eric Panzer cleared it away at the last minute.  

The last few minutes of added time held few other opportunities for either team and FC Arizona prevailed over ASC San Diego 2-1.

Photo credit: Arianna Grainey