USL Phoenix Rising FC

Phoenix Rising FC Down Oakland Roots 3-0

Published on May 9, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Phoenix Rising FC congratulate Solomon Asante after a goal against the Oakland Roots
Phoenix Rising FC congratulate Solomon Asante after a goal against the Oakland Roots
(Phoenix Rising FC)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - Rising FC earned its first shutout of the season and its two-time defending USL MVP, Solomon Asante found the back of the net twice to lead Phoenix to a 3-0 win vs, Oakland Roots tonight at Wild Horse Pass.

Asante opened his 2021 account in the 10th minute of the match, when high pressure from Phoenix forced a turnover in a very dangerous spot. Rising forward Rufat Dadashov was in a great position to capitalize on the mistake by Oakland. He immediately struck a first-touch volley on goal. Roots' goalkeeper Zeus De La Paz made a save on the play, diving high to his right side but the rebound fell to the feet of Asante, who buried the chance to make it 1-0.

Oakland's Jeremy Bokila nearly took advantage of a slip by Rising center back James Musa in the 20th minute. The New Zealand international picked off a pass that was meant for the Roots' forward and tried to turn up field but lost his footing. Bokila recovered the ball in the area and tried to beat Rising goalkeeper Ben Lundt to his right side but the attempt went well wide of the post.

Dadashov nearly gave Phoenix a two-goal lead in the 34th minute when Rising's high press forced another turnover. Phoenix's No. 9 hit another first-touch shot, but his chance skipped just wide of the post to De La Paz's left side.

Three minutes into the second half, Phoenix got its two-goal lead when a long ball played over the top of Oakland's back line by Musa was ran down by Santi Moar. The striker latched onto the ball on the opposite side of Root's defense and ran at the goalkeeper before beating De La Paz five-hole for his second goal of the season.

Asante picked off a pass from De La Paz and quickly made the goalkeeper pay by knocking a sharp, low shot into the back corner of the net to make it 3-0 in the 68th minute.

Rising's newest signing, defending USL Championship goalkeeper of the year, Lundt made his best save, diving to his right side to slap a free kick away in the 85th minute. The German finished the match with two saves to earn a clean sheet in his first appearance for Rising.

Scoring:

PHX - Solomon Asante 10

PHX - Santi Moar (James Musa) 48

PHX - Solomon Asante 68

Discipline:

PHX - Darnell King (caution) 29

PHX - Kevon Lambert (caution) 50

PHX - Noah Billingsley (caution) 83

PHX - Aodhan Quinn (caution) 86

PHX - James Musa (caution) 87

OAK - Akeem Ward (caution) 87

Lineups:

Phoenix Rising FC - Ben Lundt, Ryan Flood, James Musa, Tobi Adewole (Joe Farrell 77), Darnell King (Noah Billingsley 63), Aodhan Quinn (Joey Calistri 88), Kevon Lambert (Jeremy Kelly 63), Jon Bakero, Santi Moar (Prince Saydee 77), Rufat Dadashov, Solomon Asante.

Substitutes Not Used: Edward Delgado, Noah Billingsley, Joe Farrell, Joey Calistri, Jeremy Kelly, Prince Saydee, Seyi Adekoya.

Oakland Roots - Zeus De La Paz, Tarek Morad, Max Ornstil, Guillermo Diaz (Soya Takahashi 62), Akeem Ward, Lindo Mfeka (Ariel Mbumba 78), Matias Fissore, Wal Fall (Danny Flores 16), Jesus Enriquez, Tyler Blackwell (Tarn Weir 78), Jeremy Bokila (Yohannes Harish 63).

Substitutes Not Used: Taylor Bailey, Luis Flores, Saalih Muhammad, Tarn Weir.

Post Game Quotes

Rising head coach Rick Schantz

On tonight's result...

At times tonight, we got stretched out a bit too much. We did score some timely goals, getting one in the first 10 minutes and then right at the beginning of the second half. We were working on a mid-block in the second half. We did ok. It was difficult because we train to be aggressive all the time and then, tonight, we had to hold back a little bit. Overall, the back four were very good. The back six, I should say because we made two subs. And for Ben, one game, one clean sheet.

On the start to the season...

Right now, I am just happy we have six points in two games. The players feel confident. They're playing well. We know we're playing Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday. It's a very good team. Very powerful and physical. This will be the biggest test we've had this year.

On Oakland Roots...

They were trying to hit [Jeremy] Bokila and make runs off of him, but we have a guy like Tobi [Adewole] who can handle a guy like that. With the way we like to press and play aggressive, to have guys back there that can play that well like him and [James] Musa, it makes us tough to beat. I thought those two were fantastic.

Center back James Musa

On Oakland...

There was just a lot of communication involved in tonight's win. We prepared well. We didn't know exactly what they were going to do [because this was their first game in USL]. We had 11 strong players on the field. Thankfully we were able to put it all together tonight.

On his assist...

It all starts with the communication we built in training. It never comes straight away but I told Santi [Moar] if he checks in and goes long, I'll find him. It worked out.

On new goalkeeper Ben Lundt...

He's a nice guy. He came in and done really well this week. We're glad to have him. He's a big presence. He made some big saves tonight.

On not allowing many shots through two games...

It's just communication and playing as a unit. We've very intense with our pressing. We're not giving the other team time to breathe. We're just comfortable in what we're doing.

Check out the Phoenix Rising FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Images from this story

Phoenix Rising FC congratulate Solomon Asante after a goal against the Oakland Roots
Phoenix Rising FC congratulate Solomon Asante after a goal against the Oakland Roots
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 9, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central