USL Phoenix Rising FC

Rising Closes Regular-Season Series with Loyal

Published on July 23, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Phoenix Rising FC returned home to defeat LA Galaxy II, 5-0, courtesy of a three-assist, one-goal performance by Solomon Asante. One match shy of the club icon's 100th match for Phoenix, Asante set a new club-record for most assists in a game, while Rising matched a club record for most assists in a match.

David Egbo came off the bench to score two goals in just 18 minutes. He has now scored four goals in five appearances. Phoenix added to its record for longest winning streak against an opponent with their 12th straight regular-season win against Los Angeles.

Rising has been fantastic this season at Wild Horse Pass, going 6-0-1 and outscoring opponents 25-4. The road has been more of a challenge - a story the team hopes to change this weekend in San Diego.

While Rising dominated the first match against San Diego, 4-1, the home victory in its season-opener gave way to a desperate rally to draw, 2-2, in the rematch.

The third meeting of the season series saw upstart Arturo Rodriguez continue his strong play against the Loyal. The Mexican bagged his first goal of the season after leading the late charge that saved Rising from its first defeat at Wild Horse Pass. Unfortunately for Phoenix, it suffered its first loss of the season, 2-1, at San Diego despite Rodriguez finding the back of the net. With the season series on the line Saturday, Rodriguez and Rising's red-hot captain will look to put an end to Loyal SC's run. After San Diego started off the season with four losses, it has not lost since, amassing a 6-4-3 record.

"It's on the road, difficult game, against a good team," said Rising head coach Rick Schantz. "They're on a good run of form. We have to remind ourselves what the first game of the season was like. The mentality we had going into that match was like we had something to prove because preseason wasn't very good. It will be fun.

This is the last of the four games and then we don't have to worry about them anymore, and we keep focusing. For us, it's really another game to get three points and move on to the next one."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 23, 2021


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