Arizona United SC Resigns Three

Winning doesn’t come to those who wait, but does come to those who put the pieces in motion in order to attain it.

Arizona United SC decided it’s not waiting to ring in the new year to put the pieces back together that nearly took the franchise into the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup, the farthest any soccer club from Arizona has gone in the prestigious tournament, and the pieces that nearly led the first-year club to the eighth and final league playoff spot.

Throughout the month of October, United general manager Kevin Stevenson resigned forwards Long Tan and Brad Stisser, and defender Scott Morrison all to multi-year deals.

All three signees were critical in Arizona’s success a year ago.

Tan was the first to resign with the club back on Oct. 21. When Tan joined Arizona United in July, the team was struggling to move the ball in the midfield, but Tan’s presence changed all of that almost instantaneously.

With Tan, who joined Arizona United SC after appearing in seven matches for the Chinese Football Association’s Super League’s Harbin Yiteng FC in 2014, helped Arizona United post a 6-4-2 record – including closing the season with a four-game winning streak and co-leading the team with five goals (forward Jonathan Top also had five).

“We focused our energy in ensuring that Long Tan would be part of our club for many years to come,” General Manager Kevin Stevenson said via a release. “We believe Long is a player we will build a playoff team around. Long is a fan favorite and in just two short months established himself as one of the best players in USL Pro.”

Next for United was securing its defensive leader, and its overall most-vocal leader, Morrison. Morrison inked a multi-year deal (likely a three-year deal like Tan’s was) Oct 30.

Jun 18, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Arizona United SC forwars Brad Stisser (17) warms up before facing the Los Angeles Galaxy in a U.S. Open Cup match at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Morrison is way more than just the defensive wall the club so desperately needs. Morrison’s other attractive quality is that he not only can score goals, but he looks to do so — often.

He provided two goals this last season, one of which saved United on June 11 from a potential 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy II. His other was a game-winner Aug. 22 over the Oklahoma City Energy FC.

Morrison, an unquestioned fan favorite, comes to Arizona from Aberdeen, Scotland. He made his professional debut in 2003 for hometown club Aberdeen F.C., where he logged 40 appearances for the Dons in two seasons.

“Scott is the perfect example of how we want our players to be on and off the field,” Stevenson said. “His leadership on the field, presence in the locker room and constant interaction with fans made this decision to bring him back a no-brainer.

“He was a big piece in the puzzle for us during our inaugural season, and we expect the same from him for years to come.”

United took off again Nov. 5 by resigning Stisser, an integral piece on the typical three-forward line of Arizona’s 4-3-3 formation.

Stisser scored two goals and notched one assist in 17 league appearance this last season. With Stisser in the starting 11, Arizona United was 8-3-6, and it outscored its opponents 24-22.

Stisser went pro in 2010 when he signed with AC St. Louis of the USSF Division II Professional League. He played for the Rochester Rhinos and Charlotte Eagles of USL Pro, before helping North American Soccer League’s Atlanta Silverbacks finish as the Soccer Bowl Runner-Up in the 2013 NASL season.

“Brad is a player who really stood out and distinguished himself during our push to qualify for the playoffs,” Stevenson said. “He came in, had the right attitude, and worked hard to earn a starting spot. He is another piece to the puzzle of what we are trying to build here.”

Stay tuned as Stevenson, head coach Michael Dellorusso and owner Kyle Eng look to move quickly and have a number of last year’s club resigned by Jan. 1.