FC Arizona

FC Arizona
Full nameFootball Club Arizona
FoundedJuly 16, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-07-16)
StadiumCampo Verde High School
Gilbert, Arizona
OwnerJamie Landreman
Head coachAlejandro Aguilar
LeagueNational Premier Soccer League
20213rd, Southwestern Conference
Playoffs: Conference Semifinal
Websitehttps://fcarizona.com/

FC Arizona is an American soccer team based in the Phoenix area that plays in the National Premier Soccer League.

History

FC Arizona announced its formation on July 19, 2016, with a press release.[1][2] The team held a launch party on August 5, 2016, at Mesa Community College, where the team will play its home games. They joined the NPSL on September 22, 2016, and were placed in the Southwest Conference.[3] The team colors are Blue and Gold.

2017

FC Arizona defeated Real San Jose 5–0 in their first ever match on March 4, 2017, before an announced crowd of 2,842 at Riggs Stadium[4] in Mesa, Arizona.

With team manager Aidan Davison, and former MLS keeper Andrew Weber in goal, the team then went on to have an undefeated regular season allowing only 3 goals and earning them the Western Conference Championship title.  In the first round of the playoffs FC Arizona defeated Albion SD 3-1 to advance to the Western Division semi-final game, but lost to Orange County 2-0 ending a very successful season.

Team Recognition

Top Goal Scorers

  1. Cesar Mexia - 9
  2. Alejandro Aguilar - 8
  3. Chris Ramsell - 4, Ignacio Coba - 4, George Jermy - 4

2017 Golden NPSL Golden Glove Award winner - Andrew Weber

  • 13 Clean Sheets
  • 3 Goals Allowed
  • 1440 Minutes of play

Season Record - Western Conference Champions

Games W L D GF GA Pts Conf. Finish
2017 NPSL Season 16 12 0 4 47 3 40 1st Place

2018

With new team manager Maximiliano "Maxi" Viera Dutra, FC Arizona played a tough season finishing a frustrating 4th place, but still making it to the playoffs for the second season.  However in the first round of the playoffs FC Arizona lost once again to Orange County 2-0.

Team Recognition

Top Goal Scorers

  1. Cesar Mexia - 11

Season Record

Games W L D GF GA Pts Conf. Finish
2018 NPSL Season 12 5 5 2 20 13 17 4th Place

2019

Player/Coaches Shannon Cole and Roberto Renteria took over the leadership of the NPSL in 2019 leading FC Arizona team to a 2nd place regular season finish and making it once again to the playoffs for the third season in a row. In the first round of the playoffs FC Arizona cruised to a 4-0 win over California's San Ramon. In the Western Division Semi-final they defeated Academica SC in a tight game winning 3-2. Making it to the Western Division Championship Game FC Arizona lost to conference rival Albion SD by the score of 1-2.

Team Recognition

Top Goal Scorers

  1. Cesar Mexia - 18
  2. Omar Nuno - 13

2019 NPSL Golden Boot Award winner - Cesar Mexia

Season Record

Games W L D GF GA Pts Conf. Finish
2019 NPSL Season 18 12 1 5 46 19 41 2nd Place

2020

Under new ownership, and the direction of NPSL Team Coach and FC Arizona Technical Director Dave Rogers, FC Arizona started off strong, undefeated after 3 games and sitting in first place in the Western Conference before COVID caused the season to be cancelled.

Season Record - Partial Season Cancelled due to COVID outbreak

Games W L D GF GA Pts Conf. Finish
2020 NPSL Season 3 2 0 1 6 3 7 1st Place before season cancellation

2021

Taking off where they left off before the cancellation of the 2020 season, FC Arizona went on to finish the regular season in 3rd place making it to the NPSL playoffs again for the 4th time, but lost to Golden State in the first round by the score of 0-2.

Team Recognition

Top Goal Scorers

  1. Tobenna Uzo - 7

Season Record

Games W L D GF GA Pts Conf. Finish
2021 NPSL Season 10 4 2 4 22 13 16 3nd Place

Staff

Stadiums

References

  1. ^ "New professional soccer team FC Arizona hosts launch party Aug. 5 at Mesa stadium". Mesa Independent. July 21, 2016. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "FC Arizona Is Phoenix's Newest Sports Team". FC Arizona. July 19, 2016. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "FC Arizona Joins the NPSL". National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). September 22, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  4. ^ "Starting with a bang: FC Arizona drops Real San Jose 5–0 in opener". Kyle Kepner. Firebird Rising Blog. March 4, 2017. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.