ASU FC Wins Season Opener in the UPSL

MESA, Ariz. - Nov. 16, 2015 - PRLog -- The best part about playing club soccer in Arizona, hands down, was the season openers. Driving early mornings half way across the state to CAP Basin seemed to be a regular ordeal, but when it’s the first match of the season it’s so much sweeter. As many Arizona natives know the cool early morning breeze and glistening dew on the grass is almost orgasmic for the die-hard soccer player. The matchup between ASU FC and AZ Scorpions was no different.

These two Arizona competitors have kicked off an astonishing start to a brutal and unforgiving season with top notch competition in the UPSL.

Unlike games in the past, ASU FC fell behind early in the game off of the AZ Scorpion’s vigilance. The Scorpions identified a sense of lackadaisical defending after a quick set piece and with a chip over the back line, they scored a beautiful goal which seemed to light the pitchforks of the Sun Devils. Moments after, ASU FC’s Stefan Speno responded in a Ronaldo-esque fashion. On a set piece just outside the eighteen, a left footed free kick specialist, Stefan rips the ball around the wall and into the back of the net.  Speno scores an equalizer and gives ASU FC some breathing room. Just before the conclusion of the first half, defender James Shockey was waiting back post and bangs the ball in when it magically falls to his feet. ASU FC heads into half time with a 2-1 lead after falling short early to a 1-0 deficit in a 3-5-1 formation.

Starting off a little shaky, ASU puts a firm foot on the “grass” pedal in the second half. In the first few minutes of the game, it was apparent the organization wasn’t at the level it has been all season. With a great half time speech by Coaches Phil and Matthew Marek, ASU FC was the obvious leader in shots and possession. The coaches must have given forward Ali Tarawri a big bag of Skittles because he went absolutely BEAST MODE! For the second week in a row Ali has earned a hat trick in the run of play. Utilizing his 99 awareness and 99 speed, he always seems to be at the right place and at the right time. Ali finishes the game with 90 minutes played and three goals scored.

At one point in the second half the score read 3-2 favoring ASU FC. More goals could have been accounted for if it wasn’t for the outstanding performance by the flying squirrel and goal keeper Jorge Acosta for the AZ Scorpions. The final score for this heated match up was 6-2.

Final Thoughts:  Although the final score did not properly demonstrate the physicality and competitiveness throughout the match; it was a fantastic season opener. With more goals than you can shake a stick at and a team coming back from adversity, this was only a glimpse to what the future of this season holds for ASU FC and the other teams of the UPSL.  When speaking with Assistant Coach Matthew Marek he joyfully stated, “It’s truly an honor to represent to ASU FC for this UPSL season opener. These men are playing the best soccer I’ve ever seen them play and the final score showed that.”

In case you missed it, here is a recap of last week’s preseason matchup between ASU FC and GCU. (http://www.prlog.org/12510012-asufc-season-recap-and-upco...)