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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Rising Wins Third Straight, 2-0, vs. San Diego

August 16, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Phoenix Rising FC midfielder Sam Stanton with possession vs. San Diego Loyal
Phoenix Rising FC midfielder Sam Stanton with possession vs. San Diego Loyal
(Phoenix Rising FC)

PHOENIX, Arizona - Junior Flemmings continued his torrid scoring pace with his eighth goal in seven matches and defender Darnell King added an insurance strike for Phoenix (5-1-1), who won, 2-0, against San Diego tonight at Casino Arizona Field.

Rising began the match on the front foot, out-possessing a Loyal side that has built its early reputation on owning the ball. Phoenix earned four corners and produced four shots in the first 22 minutes of the match.

The breakthrough came in the 26th minute, when Jon Bakero knocked a short pass to Flemmings in the final third of the field. Flemmings took a short touch inside and ripped a shot towards the crossbar. The right-footed blast was too much for San Diego's Jake Fenlason. The goalkeeper dove to his right side, but the long-range shot was as well placed as it was well struck, tucking inside the post to give Flemmings his eighth goal in six matches.

Rufat Dadashov tested Fenlason again just after the water break. The striker chested down a ball played into him with his back to goal, turned right, around his defender and caught the ball on the volley. The dipping shot looked as if it would slip under the bar but Fenlason got a finger to the shot to tip it over and out for a corner.

Darnell King became the second Rising defender to find the back of the net in two matches when he gave Phoenix a 2-0 lead in the 59th minute. The San Diego defense was pushed back, well inside their own box after Solomon Astane and Bakero combined on the right flank. A centering pass was half-cleared by a San Diego defender, but the ball made it just outside the box, where King pounced on the opportunity to have a strike. The defender hit a shot with his first touch, placing it low and in the corner, for his first goal in a Rising kit.

Rising goalkeeper Zac Lubin put up a candidate for save of the week in the 73rd minute, when a cross played in from Rising's left side was redirected on goal. The header happened just a few feet in front of Lubin, giving the goalkeeper little time to react, but he was equal to the task, parrying the shot away to keep his clean sheet intact.

Lubin finished the match with five saves to earn his second shutout of the season.

Scoring Summary:

PHX - Junior Flemmings (Jon Bakero) 26

PHX - Darnell King 59

Lineups:

Phoenix - Zac Lubin, Joey Calistri, Corey Whelan, AJ Cochran, Darnell King, Sam Stanton (90+1), Kevon Lambert, Jon Bakero (Santi Moar 74), Junior Flemmings (Lagos Kunga 90+2), Rufat Dadashov (Jordan Schweitzer 74), Solomon Asante.

Substitutes not used: Eric Dick, Joseph Farrell, Kontoh.

San Diego Loyal - Jake Fenlason, Sal Zizzo (Ben Spencer 61) Grant Stoneman, Emrah Klimenta, Jack Metcalf, Charlie Adams, Elijah Martin, Carlos Alvarez (Steven Nazira), Collin Martin (Eric Avila 46), Tumi Moshobane, Francis Atuahene (Beverly Makangila).

Substitutes not used: Austin Guerrero, Morgan Hackworth, Suheyam Samura

Misconduct Summary:

SD - Collin Martin (caution) 44

SD - Emrah Klimenta (caution) 56

SD - Steven Nazira (caution) 82

Referees:

REF: Isaiah Vlad

AR1: Noah Kenyawani

AR2: Jordan Vlad

4TH: Alan Rios

Weather: Clear, 108

Phoenix Rising head coach Rick Schantz

General thoughts on the match...

We played against a really well coached team. They're very organized. They make it so difficult for you with their midfield rotation. We knew, being at home, we had to go press them and not let them dictate the game and have the ball.

I'm proud of our boys. They trusted the system. They trusted the ideas. What a performance by Joey Calistri. He played 90 minutes at right back. I thought he was spectacular.

We just need to worry about LA Galaxy II on Wednesday. We have a short rest and then a second one on Saturday so right now it's all about recovery.

Phoenix Rising defender Darnell King

On his first goal for Rising FC...

It feels great. I wish the fans were here. I know they're watching at home. We love you guys and it feels great to get a goal.

We were pressing high. Our guys reacted in the box. I was in the right place at the right time to follow up and I smacked it into the back of the net.

On getting a clean sheet tonight...

It was very important to us. It had been a while since we got one. It was one of our main focuses. We did a great job. Joey Calistri on the right, we all held our own. We had a couple spills here and there but Zac [Lubin] reacted well to the one, saved it.

Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Zac Lubin

On getting a clean sheet...

It feels really good. We've struggled keeping clean sheets this season. We've done well defensively but I feel like I've given up some soft goals. The number one goal tonight was the clean sheet and that's what we did. We know the guys up top will score. They're just playing at a different level. For us, the focus was on the back line, getting a clean sheet and get the people a free car wash [@RaceWayCarWash].

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Images from this story

Phoenix Rising FC midfielder Sam Stanton with possession vs. San Diego Loyal
Phoenix Rising FC midfielder Sam Stanton with possession vs. San Diego Loyal
   



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