Az soccer roundup: Robles, Weber secure ties in hard-fought contests

We are bringing back our updates of professional soccer players with Arizona ties. This week's roundup includes an assist from a former Wildcat, and a new team for a Catalina Foothills grad.

Ventura Alvarado, D – Club Necaxa (Ascenso MX, Mexico)

Phoenix-native Alvarado played all 90 minutes in a 0–0 draw with the Leones Negros de Univerisdad de Guadalajara on Friday. It was his 16th appearance since Club América loaned him to the Aguascalientes-based team.

Nat Borchers, D - Real Salt Lake (MLS)

Tucson-born Borchers and the Real Salt Lake defense put on a great show against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, even without normal starting goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Borchers stepped up to save two sure second-half goals himself as the two teams played to a scoreless draw. Borchers also earned himself a late-game yellow card for a tackle on SKC’s Claudio Bieler.

Tony Cascio, M – Houston Dynamo (MLS)

Cascio was subbed into the match in the second half against FC Dallas on Saturday as his loan spell from Colorado continues. Unfortunately, it was also the half where a controversial 60th-minute red card against the Dynamo’s David Horst shifted the balance of the previously even game, and opened it up so it ended in a 4–1 romp for the visitors.

Danny Cruz, M - Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Cruz did not appear for his team’s 2–2 draw with Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Renae Cuéllar, F – Washington Spirit (NWSL)

One time Wildcat Cuéllar came in as a second-half substitute in a preseason charity match on Sunday against the University of Maryland. The Spirit won 7–0, and a late-game assist from Cuéllar helped earn Jodie Taylor a hat trick for the afternoon.

Justin Davis, D – Minnesota United FC (NASL)

Davis’s team had preseason friendly on Saturday where they defeated the University of Nebraska at Omaha 6–0.

Nick DeLeon, M – DC United (MLS)

DeLeon’s hapless-as-of-late DC United pulled off their first win since last October’s victory over Real Salt Lake in the US Open Cup, in part due to an early own-goal by New England’s Jose Gonçalves. The match ended 2–0 in favor of United, but DeLeon attempted a shot in the waning minutes of the match to extend the lead. The shot went wide, and was the only one he recorded in the match.

Mix Diskerud, M – Rosenborg BK (Tippeligaen, Norway)

Diskerud was on the bench as his team tied Aalesunds FK, 2–2, on Saturday. Diskerud has yet to see any minutes this season, but the club has only played its second match.

Roger Espinoza, M – Wigan Athletic FC (Championship, England)

Espinoza is still out with a hernia, so he missed Wigan’s 1–0 win over Leeds United.

Brad Evans, M - Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)

Evans missed out on the latest installment of the Cascadia Derby on Saturday with a contusion to his left calf. Not to worry, his team had a fantastic comeback and ended the match 4–4 against Portland.

Robbie Findley, F - Real Salt Lake (MLS)

Findley is still recovering from off-season surgery.

Justen Glad, D - Real Salt Lake (MLS)

The team announced on Monday that Glad, who attended Catalina Foothills High School, has been signed to a "homegrown player" contract. Glad has previously played in a reserve match and a Desert Diamond Cup match for RSL and has figured in youth national teams for the United States.

Alan Gordon, F - San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

San Jose had the weekend off but is set to take on the Columbus Crew on Sunday.

Amy LePielbet, D - FC Kansas City (NWSL)

The former ASU defender was traded from the Chicago Red Stars last week and missed out on her new team's final preseason match, a 10-0 win over Oklahoma State University on Saturday.

Sydney Leroux, F - Seattle Reign (NWSL)

The Reign had their final preseason matches, against the University of Washington and Seattle Pacific University, this weekend and are going to open up their season against the Boston Breakers on Sunday.

Brandon McDonald, D – Ljungskile SK (Superettan, Sweden)

McDonald didn't play in Sunday's match against Östersunds FK.

Jessica McDonald, F - Portland Thorns FC (NWSL)

The Thorns ended their preseason with a series of trades and an official announcement of a roster which included Glendale native McDonald among their forwards.

Sam Monahan, M – FC Honka (Naisten Liiga, Finland)

Monahan played all 90 minutes in a loss to PK-35. Honka's record so far is a loss and a draw, which puts them at seventh place in the new season.

Mike Randolph, D – Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)

The Silverbacks closed out their preseason with a 4-2 victory over Carson-Newman College. They open their NASL season with a match against the New York Cosmos on Sunday.

Luis Robles, G - New York Red Bulls (MLS)

The still-winless Red Bulls earned a disappointing 2-2 tie against Montréal, but Robles's nine saves, a career record, was a bright spot.

Carlos Salcedo, D – Real Salt Lake (MLS)

Salcedo didn't play this weekend.

Donny Toia, D - CD Chivas USA (MLS)

The former FC Tucson and Phoenix FC standout started a reserve match on Monday that ended in a 3-1 loss to USL-Pro side Sacramento Republic FC.

Rob Valentino, D - Orlando City SC (USL-Pro)

Valentino scored the second of four goals for his side on Saturday against the Rochester Rhinos as they began their defense of their championship (as well as getting ready for promotion to MLS next season).

Minh Vu, M - Rochester Rhinos (USL-Pro)

Rincon High School graduate Vu nearly scored his first professional goal in the 13th minute of his team's Saturday match against Orlando, but it went wide. His team went on to lose 4-1.

Andrew Weber, G – Portland Timbers FC (MLS)

Weber got another chance between the pipes against Seattle Sounders FC, replacing the still-suspended Donovan Ricketts. Weber recorded four saves against his old team in a wild 4-4 result against the Sounders.