Arizona United SC Re-signs Three More

Arizona United SC continued its active offseason into 2015 with the re-signing of midfielder Joey Dillon and defenders London Woodberry and Tyler Ruthven. The moves continue for the club after officially making the huge announcement the team was moving from Peoria to Scottsdale Stadium Dec. 16.

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With the recent contracts for Dillon, Ruthven and Woodberry, the club has brought its roster to nine since early Nov. Woodberry, who enters his fourth professional season in 2015, re-joins Arizona United SC after scoring three goals in 26 appearances in 2014. Woodberry notched his first professional goal in Arizona’s 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers U-23s in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.

“London had a very successful year for us in 2014,” Arizona United SC coach Michael Dellorusso said. “He is beginning to come into his own at the professional level. He is a valuable player for our club and will play a big part in our success this season.”

Feb 18, 2014; FC Dallas defender London Woodberry poses for a portrait photo. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Ruthven amassed over 1,500 minutes in 21 league appearances in his first year at Arizona United SC. Ruthven appeared in three of Arizona United SC’s U.S. Open Cup matches, and was named to the starting lineup against the Timbers U-23s and LA Galaxy.

Ruthven joined Arizona United SC after splitting time with Swedish side Brage, and Finnish club KuPS in 2013. Ruthven first turned professional in 2010, signing with the Harrisburg City Islanders before moving over to North American Soccer League’s Atlanta Silverbacks in 2011. Ruthven moved to the top division in North America when he signed with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer in 2012.

Ruthven was quick to credit United owner Kyle Eng and general manager Kevin Stevenson for their work last season and so this offseason, making the decision an easy one to resign with the club.

“I trust the front office and that made my decision to return very easy for me,” Ruthven said. “I am excited about the new additions and cannot wait for the season to get started.”

Jun 18, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes (11) takes a shot past Arizona United SC defender Tyler Ruthven during the second half of the U.S. Open Cup match at Peoria Sports Complex. The Galaxy won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

As for the news of the sudden move across the valley, the team’s move across the valley to the east side comes after it saw an average of 2,395 at its inaugural season at the Peoria Sports Complex. The move doesn’t come as much of a surprise since majority of its — vocal — season ticket holders live in the east valley.

“This is the next step in professional soccer’s evolution in Arizona,” Arizona United Soccer Club owner Kyle Eng said via a release. “Our mission is to serve the entire Arizona soccer community, and this move will bring the beautiful game to a wider audience. With Scottsdale Stadium’s proximity to restaurants and nightlife in Downtown Scottsdale, our supporters will enjoy a game day experience that is second to none.”

In Scottsdale Stadium, the plan is for the soccer pitch to run north and south, with the north goal in front of the left field wall and the south goal along the first base line (basically the same setup the club had at the Peoria Sports Complex).

The hope is that the club will draw larger numbers given the east valley attracts a much higher tourism and general interest rate than the west valley.

“We are grateful to the City of Peoria and the Peoria Sports Complex for their support and hard work in our first season,” Eng said. “With their help, we provided a first-class venue for our players, fans and partners.”

Open Tryouts, Round 2

Arizona United announced it will hold its second open tryout of the off-season Feb. 14 at the Tempe Sports Complex. Five players from the first tryout: Alexander Nita (Phoenix, Ariz), Manuel Campos (Mesa, Ariz), Carlos Gardea (Calif.), Trevor (TX) and Edmund Owusu-Ansahhave (Ghana) moved on to the second round and will compete for free.

“We’re always looking for that hidden gem that can be a part of our team,” Dellorusso said. “There are a lot of players in this part of the country. This tryout gives us a chance to see players who may have slipped through the cracks.”

USL PRO and Arizona United SC’s season gets underway in April. Stay tuned for more Arizona United offseason news.