Rising Falls, 2-1 to San Antonio

August 6, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release

Tonight, Panos Armenakas sent a ball forward to Manuel Arteaga in the 13th minute of the match. Phoenix's leader in goals looked to be in-alone on goal but San Antonio defender Fabien Garcia ran him down before blocking a shot that trickled towards the corner flag. Arteaga collected the loose ball and won a corner kick for Rising, but as Garcia and the Phoenix forward came together after the play, referee Ricardo Fierro saw what he judged to be violent conduct. The referee showed Arteaga a red card, forcing the home side to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Despite the disadvantage, Rising took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute when Carlos Harvey found space in the center of the pitch and threaded a sharp pass up the middle to a streaking Danny Trejo. The forward took the pass in stride, dribbled to the top of the box and beat San Antonio goalkeeper Jordan Farr low to his left side for his 10th goal of the year.

San Antonio nearly tied it with the last kick of the half. A cross in from the visitor's left flank was knocked into the path of Jorge Hernandez by Ignacio Bailone. Hernandez struck a hard shot with the outside of his foot but Rising goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo was in position to make the his second save of the half and allow no rebound.

Rising's newest signing, center back John Stenberg made his debut for Phoenix, coming on at halftime for Jose Andres Hernandez to allow Harvey to push forward into the midfield.

Tani Oluwaseyi came free for San Antonio in the 51st minute and nearly tied the game. The USL Championship's leading scorer outmuscled his defender and ripped a rising, line-drive shot towards the near post, but Novo made a full-extension diving save to his left side to knock the shot away.

Rising nearly took a two-goal lead in the 65th minute when Trejo earned a free kick near the corner flag. Armenakas whipped in a dangerous cross and Darnell King got on the end of it, sending a bouncing ball to Trejo at the back post. Unfortunately for Phoenix, Trejo was unable to get a head to the pass and it trickled harmlessly past the left post.

San Antonio pulled level in the 86th minute when a cross from Jorge Hernanez narrowly sailed over the head of a Rising defender and landed on the chest of Justin Dhillon. The forward bought down the pass expertly and slipped a shot between Novo and the near post to make it 1-1.

Moments later, with Rising pushing for a go-ahead goal, San Antonio caught Phoenix on the counterattack. Novo came off his line to intercept the pass but lost the challenge and was forced to watch Tani Oluwaseyi curl a shot into the empty net to make it a 2-1 final.

Scoring:

PHX - Danny Trejo (Carlos Harvey) 20

SA - Justin Dhillon (Jorge Hernandez) 86

SA - Tani Oluwaseyi (Jorge Hernandez) 90+3

Discipline:

PHX - Manuel Arteaga (ejection) 13

SA - PC (caution) 39

PHX - Carlos Harvey (caution) 55

PHX - Rocco Rios Novo (caution) 63

Lineups:

Phoenix Rising FC - Rocco Rios Novo, Darnell King, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Mo Traore, Eddie Munjoma, Carlos Harvey, Renzo Zambrano, Jose Andres Hernandez (John Stenberg 46), Panos Armenakas (Emil Cuello 74), Manuel Arteaga, Danny Trejo (Dariusz Formella 86).

Substitutes Not Used: Patrick Rakovsky, Henry Uzochukwu, Carlos Anguiano, Erickson Gallardo, Fede Varela.

San Antonio FC - Jordan Farr, Connor Maloney, Fabien Garcia, Cartier Manley, Mitchell Taintor, PC (Mo Abu 46), Ismaila Jome (Shannon Gomez 74), Rida Zouhir, Jorge Hernandez, Ignacio Bailone (Justin Dhillon 61), Tani Oluwaseyi.

Substitutes Not Used: Isiah Parker, Jose Carlos Mercado, Tulu, Niko Hansen.

Phoenix Rising FC battles San Antonio FC

United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 6, 2023

• Miami Dominates El Paso in Impressive Home Win - Miami FC
• OCSC Defeats San Diego Loyal 3-1 - Moves into 4th Place - Orange County SC
• San Antonio FC Rallies to Beat Phoenix Rising FC 2-1 in Stoppage Time - San Antonio FC
• Phoenix Rising Falls 2-1 - Phoenix Rising FC
• Monterey Bay F.C. Falls 1-0 to Sacramento Republic FC in Seaside - Monterey Bay FC
• Rising Falls, 2-1 to San Antonio - Phoenix Rising FC

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.

Other Recent Phoenix Rising FC Stories

• Match Preview: Phoenix Rising at Charleston Battery
• Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky, Defender Ascel Essengue Named to USL Championship Team of the Week 15
• Rising Claim Another Road Result in 1-1 Draw Against FC Tulsa at ONEOK Field
• Rising Claim Another Road Result in 1-1 Draw Aagainst FC Tulsa at ONEOK Field
• Match Preview: Phoenix Rising at FC Tulsa