STLFC Falls 3-1 against Phoenix Rising FC
May 30, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Saint Louis FC News Release
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Saint Louis FC lost 3-1 to Phoenix Rising FC in front of 4,318 fans at Toyota Stadium in Match 12 of the USL regular season.
Phoenix opened the score in the 6th minute through team-leading scorer Chris Cortez as he picked up the ball and let loose from about 30 yards out with a rocket that found the top corner. The away side's second goal came in the 49th minute as Solomon Asante converted a free kick from about 25 yards out before Jason Johnson added another in the 68th minute. STLFC would earn one back in the 74th minute from substitute Seth Rudolph but could not find another to see Phoenix improve to 7-3-3 with 24 points while Saint Louis FC falls to 3-4-5 with 14 points in the USL Western Conference.
The first half started with Phoenix getting on the scoresheet early as Cortez picked the ball up in midfield and fired a shot into the top corner in the 6th minute. Saint Louis would respond with a volleyed effort from Corey Hertzog from about 30 yards out in the 18th minute but it went narrowly wide. Hertzog had a few more chances to score as he was played over the top of the defense but Phoenix goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski stood tall to deny him. In the 45th minute, Gladson Awako looked destined to score when he volleyed from the top of the box but STLFC goalkeeper Tomas Gomez came up with the big save in his home debut to keep the score at 1-0 going into the halftime break.
The second half started similar as the first with Phoenix getting on the scoresheet as Asante curled his free kick over the wall in the 49th minute. They would add to their advantage in the 68th minute as Johnson was played in the box by Amadou Dia and he slotted low into the corner of the net. STLFC would respond by substituting Seth Rudolph on the field in the 74th minute and he would instantly make an impact with a diving header goal off a corner kick. The home side almost pegged back another with a Lewis Hilton free kick in the 82nd minute but could not fight back to end the home unbeaten streak this season at four games.
"I saw a lot of heart, a lot of fight, and a lot of character again tonight and we were just on the end of some fantastic finishing from Phoenix," said STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis. "We didn't give up a lot of chances tonight, but the chances we did give up, they punished us. For me, this is when we find out about people. We're facing a little bit of adversity and people need to step up and be counted, and that includes players, coaches, and staff around the club. I'll be out fighting on Saturday and make sure the players are as well."
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