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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Phoenix Rising Shuts out Tacoma, 3-0

June 13, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Phoenix Rising FC battles Tacoma Defiance
Phoenix Rising FC battles Tacoma Defiance
(Phoenix Rising FC)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - Phoenix Rising FC improved to 5-1-1 on the season with a 3-0 victory against Tacoma Defiance tonight at Wild Horse Pass.

Goalkeeper Ben Lundt led the way for Rising with eight saves, while Solomon Asante scored twice. Phoenix-native Tate Schmitt added the third goal for Rising, who returns to Wild Horse Pass in three weeks for a July 3 showdown against second-place LA Galaxy II. That match will include a post-game fireworks celebration in honor of Independence Day.

Tonight, Rising pressed early and in just the second minute of the match, Jon Bakero brought down a cross that was played to the back post with his first touch. Bakero's pass inside the area sat up perfectly, allowing Asante to strike the ball with his first-touch, but Tacoma Defiance goalkeeper Spencer Richey read the play well and got down to his left side to make the first save of the match.

Tacoma fired back in the 13th minute of the match when a defensive error from Rising gave Samuel Adeniran a good look at goal at the top of the area. Adeniran attempted to pick out the far side netting, but Lundt made a full-extension save to his right side to keep it 0-0.

Lundt made his second save on Adenrian in the 16th minute and then robbed the striker of a headed goal from the doorstep in the 18th minute after Tacoma's Jimmy Medranda lobbed a perfect cross to the back post.

Rising broke through just before halftime when Asante took a pass from Joey Calistri in midfield and sprinted to his right. The two-time defending league MVP cracked a shot back across his body and the line-drive attempt skipped off the save attempt by Richey and deflected into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Lundt came up huge for Rising again in the 53rd minute, when a poor turnover from Phoenix's back line allowed Adenrian to dribble in-alone against the goalkeeper. One-on-one from 30 yards out, Lundt stood his ground and pounced on the striker's attempt to put a low shot into the corner on the goalkeeper's left side.

Asante picked up his second goal of the match two-minutes later when Santi Moar and Arturo Rodriguez combined on the left flank. Rodriguez slipped a pass across the top of the box to Jeremy Kelly. The holding midfielder's late run pulled apart Tacoma's back line and Kelly snuck a short pass over to Asante, on the right. Asante had time to pick up his head and crack a hard shot towards goal but the attempt deflected off a Tacoma defender before finding the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Rising's newest player, Tate Schmitt scored in his debut, just 17 minutes after coming on for Calistri. Moar set up the goal after bringing down a cross at the back post and sliding a pass between two Tacoma defenders. Schmitt muscled a third defender off the ball before beating Richey to make it a 3-0 final.

Scoring:

PHX - Solomon Asante (Joey Calistri) 40

PHX - Solomon Asante (Jeremy Kelly) 55

PHX - Tate Schmitt (Santi Moar) 80

Discipline:

PHX - Joey Calistri (caution) 48

PHX - Jeremy Kelly (caution) 89

Lineups:

Phoenix Rising FC - Ben Lundt, Ryan Flood, James Musa, Joe Farrell, Darnell King, Joseph Calistri (Tate Schmitt 63), Jeremy Kelly (Tobi Adewole 90+1), Jon Bakero (Arturo Rodriguez 46), Santi Moar, Rufat Dadashov (Prince Saydee 63), Solomon Asante (Ivan Gutierrez 90+1).

Substitutes Not Used - Andre Rawls, Seyi Adekoya.

Tacoma Defiance - Spencer Richey, Taylor Mueller, Abdoulaye Cissako, Randy Mendoza, Jimmy Medranda (Alex Villanueva 60), Sota Kitahara (Joe Haferty 77), Obed Vargas, Danny Leyva, Ethan Dobbelaere (Marlon Vargas 69), Reed Baker (Carlos Anguiano 77), Samuel Adeniran (Alfanzo Ocampo 60).

Substitutes Not Used - Christian Herrera, Tan Brewitt, Joe Haferty.

Rising head coach Rick Schantz

Overall thoughts on the game...

"We were a little sloppy at times, but in the second half, we were more willing to take risks going forward with more numbers. But also, when we were attacking, our fullbacks were a little more narrow, so we didn't let them out. Whenever this team is in trouble, when anything is wrong, you just call Solo Asante and say, hey, put this team on your back. I'm at a loss for words with this kid. I hope he never, ever leaves Phoenix."

On Ben Lundt's performance...

"It was very good. He made the two big saves that he had to. What we expect from our goalkeepers is, we're going to attack a lot... We're going to put you in some difficult moments. The breakaway save at 1-0 was massive. When a 'keeper does that, I'm sure the center backs are thanking him. It makes you all feel like, we're not going to lose."

On what goes through his mind when he sees Solo gearing up to take a shot from far away...

"Well for me, I'm kind of used to it. But listen, I've been so fortunate to coach Didier Drogba. I was able to coach Shaun Wright-Phillips. Now I get to coach Solo Asante. He's that class of a player."

Rising goalkeeper Ben Lundt

Overall thoughts on the game...

"It wasn't easy, especially the first half. We played a young group with a lot of energy, well-coached, talented guys obviously. They made life difficult for us. They had a couple opportunities, but that's sometimes how it is."

On his breakaway save in the second half...

"That was the most difficult save because he's just one verses one. He can do anything. He can go around me. He can shoot early. I just did what we've been practicing every day in training, and it worked out."

Rising midfielder Tate Schmitt

On how his debut/getting a goal felt...

"Fantastic. Excited to get the opportunity to come in. A new role for me, so I was excited to get in there and just give it my all. A little shaky in the beginning, but I found my rhythm. Ball got played over the top, Santi had a nice layoff, tried to take a quick turn, finished it. It's a good feeling. But I think more importantly, to get the three points was big time for us tonight."

On his goal celebration...

"Lucky to have my parents and family in the stands, I just like playing in front of the hometown. It was just very special to come out in front of them, and let them see me play after working so hard the past year and not getting the opportunity to play in front of them. It was nice to play in front of the fans and in my hometown."

On Solomon Asante's performance...

"Incredible. His qualities as a leader and a captain are superior to what I've honestly seen. The little things in the locker room before the game, getting guys, not even on the field, but on the bench involved. Telling us to think positive, just bring good energy.

It was really good to hear that from the captain. I feel like there's a good energy from the bench that was very involved in the game. I feel like that kind of carried into him getting those two goals early, as well as the bench coming in and making an impact."

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Phoenix Rising FC battles Tacoma Defiance
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