USL Phoenix Rising FC

Rising Rolls LA Galaxy II, 5-0

July 18, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Phoenix Rising FC celebrates a goal against LA Galaxy II
Phoenix Rising FC celebrates a goal against LA Galaxy II
(Phoenix Rising FC)

PHOENIX, Arizona - Phoenix Rising FC improved to 8-2-2 on the season and 6-0-1 at Wild Horse Pass with a decisive, 5-0, victory against LA Galaxy II tonight.

Solomon Asante led the way for Rising with a goal and three assists, while Rufat Dadashov and David Egbo also found the back of the net for Phoenix, which now leads the Pacific Division table with 26 points.

Asante won a free kick at the top of the area for Rising in the 18th minute of the match. Slightly off center to the right side and 20-yards from goal, Asante and Aodhan Quinn stood over the ball before the captain curled a shot over the wall and beyond the reach of LA Galaxy II goalkeeper Eric Lopez. Unfortunately for Asante, the attempt cracked off the woodwork and was ushered away from danger by a defender.

Asante earned another set piece for Phoenix in the 33rd minute. Quinn stepped in to curl a left-footed ball to the back post, where Kevon Lambert rose above the crowd to nod a pass back into the center of the six-yard box. There, James Musa found himself alone and redirected a header past Lopez to make it 1-0.

Asante got a tap-in to make it 2-0 in the 40th minute when Rufat Dadashov held up the ball in the left corner of the box near the end line. Phoenix's No. 9 drew multiple defenders while Asante slipped in at the back post unnoticed. Dadashov made a brilliant pass to the center to the two-time defending league MVP, who tapped a low shot into the corner for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Seconds later Joe Farrell got back defensively to save a shot off Rising's goal line and preserve the two-goal advantage. Back at the opposite end, Asante returned the favor to Dadashov and centered a pass to the wide-open striker in the 45th minute. The quick turnover deep in Los Dos' third of the pitch left Lopez and the rest of the Galaxy II defenders helpless and Dadashov made it 3-0 just before the halftime whistle.

Asante picked up his second assist of the match in the 78th minute when substitute David Egbo came free at the far post. Asante sent a long, 35-yard cross to the back post, where Egbo dove to drive a sharp header past Lopez to make it 4-0.

Egbo scored his second after Asante poked a pass forward into the space between Lopez and the last LA defender in the 90th minute. Egbo beat Lopez to the ball by a step, pushed the ball into space behind the goalkeeper and was in alone on goal with 50 yards to transverse. The forward tapped the ball a few feet from goal before firing a hard shot into the empty net to finish the match, 5-0, in favor of Rising.

Scoring:

PHX - James Musa (Joe Farrell) 33

PHX - Solomon Asante (Rufat Dadashov) 40

PHX - Rufat Dadashov (Solomon Asante) 45

PHX - David Egbo (Solomon Asante) 78

PHX - David Egbo (Solomon Asante) 90

Discipline:

LA - Preston Judd (caution) 19

LA - Jorge Hernandez (caution) 45+2

LA - Taylor Davila (caution) 55

LA - Carlos Harvey (caution) 62

LA - Adrian Gonzalez (caution) 87

PHX - Darnell King (caution) 87

Lineups:

Phoenix Rising FC - Ben Lundt, Ryan Flood (Noah Billingsley 73), James Musa, Joey Farrell, Darnell King, Aodhan Quinn, Kevon Lambert, Jon Bakero (Arturo Rodriguez 72), Santi Moar (Joey Calistri 81), Rufat Dadashov (David Egbo 73), Solomon Asante.

Substitutes Not Used: Andre Rawls, Arturo Rodriguez, Prince Saydee, Joey Calistri, Tobi Adewole, David Egbo, Noah Billingsley.

LA Galaxy II - Eric López, Owen Lamb (Adrian Gonzalez 46), Isaac Bawa, Marcus Ferkranus Jesus Vázquez, Carlos Harvey, Taylor Davila (Victor Valdez 57), Preston Judd, Remi Cabral (Felix Barajas 46), Jorge Hernández, Axel Picazo (Essengue 72).

Substitutes Not Used: Justin vom Steeg, Felipe Cobain, Juan Calderon.

Rising head coach Rick Schantz

General thoughts on the match...

The guys did really well. There were a few shaky moments in the first half but we were trying to be a little bit different in our build-up play. James [Musa] and Joe [Farrell] seemed a bit nervous early on but they settled in really well. It always helps when you get a couple of goals. With Solo Asante on the field, you know something good is going to happen.

On scoring a set-piece goal after being disappointed with them last game...

I was really happy with our runs. They made hard runs in the box. They really went after the ball and showed a desire to win them. We have some big boys and when they get good service, they can be very dangerous.

On Jon Bakero getting the start...

Bakero's in the lineup because he has been working hard. He had a really good attitude. Arturo [Rodriguez] has been fantastic lately and this is what you need to win championships. You need competition in the lineup. I'm proud of both of them. When Arturo came in for Jon tonight, his attitude was fantastic as well

Rising defender James Musa

On getting a goal...

The coaches believed in me and it was nice to get up there and score a goal. It always feels good when one goes in the back of the net.

On the importance of set pieces...

Set pieces are a massive part of the game. We speak about it in preseason all the way through to the playoffs. How can we in the positives on set pieces? Can we score more than we allow? At the moment we're plus seven. Tonight we added to that total but as long as we keep improving those numbers, the points will come.

Rising forward Rufat Dadashov

On getting a start, a goal and an assist...

I was very happy to get the start tonight. I was happy to be able to give an assist to Solo [Asante] and to get a goal. I am glad I was able to help the team again. That's the reason I am here.

On his mentality going into the match...

I don't have anything to prove here. I showed what I am capable of, but I don't have to prove anything to the coaches or myself. Everyone knows what I can do. I was pretty chill before the game. I knew we would have a good game today.

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Phoenix Rising FC celebrates a goal against LA Galaxy II
Phoenix Rising FC celebrates a goal against LA Galaxy II
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 18, 2021


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