Sporting AZ FC was anything but favored against USL side Phoenix Rising in the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Wednesday night. However, Sporting AZ found itself on the right side of a 5-4 penalty shootout to continue its Cinderella run through the tournament.
Sporting AZ FC
2018 US Open Cup Round 1: Sporting AZ edges FC Arizona in budding rivalry in the desert
Two Phoenix teams separated by less than 20 miles squared off in the First Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Sporting AZ FC of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) got the better of the National Premier Soccer League’s (NPSL) FC Arizona with a 1-0 win in the tournament debut for both clubs.
2018 Meet the Underdogs: Arizona Sahuaros are reborn as Sporting AZ FC
Sporting AZ traces its roots back to 1989, when they were founded as the Phoenix Hearts and after a known as the Arizona Sahuaros, a team that made six US Open Cup appearances (1998, 1999, 2006, 2008-10).
2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Kendall Wanderers earn first Open Cup berth with win over Mass United
Boston’s Kendall Wanderers moved into the First Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in the Bay State Soccer League club’s long history with a 2-1 win over Mass United.
2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Sporting AZ wins one-sided battle of Arizona to qualify
Sporting AZ FC, the club formerly known as the Arizona Sahuaros, earned its spot in the First Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with their 6-1 win over Galati FC.
2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Sporting AZ defeats Inter EmpireWorks behind second half rally
Inter EmpireWorks FC took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but it wasn’t enough as Sporting AZ stormed back with goals from Cesar Mexia, David Alton, and Jose Ramos in the second half and advanced to the third round of US Open Cup qualifying with a 3-1 victory.