On April 7, Phoenix Rising were edged by Real Monarchs SLC 1-0. Sebastian Velasquez scored the lone goal for the visitors in the 56th minute. But how did everyone play? Read our weekly player ratings to find out.
Note: All players are rated on a 1-10 scale, with 6 being average.
GK Carl Woszczynski- 7 Carl cannot be blamed for the only goal. In fact, he came millimeters from tipping Velasquez’s short range effort over the bar. Carl only made two saves, but that is more a testament to his defense’s strong performance. It will be interesting to see if Carteron gives Zac Lubin a spot start against LA Galaxy II on Wednesday night. However, Woszczynski is firmly the starting keeper.
LB Amadou Dia- 7.5 After Dia was tested frequently against Reno, he was able to exhale a bit in this match. He won free kicks to alleviate pressure, made the right passes in the back, and blocked several cross attempts out for corner kicks. He bears no blame for the Real goal.
CB Doueugui Mala- 7 Mala was once again generally solid. The Ivorian defender headed balls away, drew fouls, and got more involved in the passing attack. The lone mark against him comes on Real’s goal, when Velazquez’s first touch fooled Mala and created space to fire his goal into the net.
CB Mike da Fonte- 7.5 This was a massively improved performance for Mike da Fonte. The center back challenged Real attackers without committing fouls, passed it well as always, and had his best man-marking match of the season. Probably his best 90 minutes with Phoenix Rising.
RB Kody Wakasa- 4.5 Coach Carteron raised eyebrows by starting Wakasa over DeVante Dubose. After watching the tape, Carteron probably regrets his decision. Wakasa struggled with the speed and strength of Josh Heard and Maikel Chang on several occasions. He allowed Heard to set Chandler Hoffman up with a dangerous chance in the 25th minute, let Hoffman create a chance for Velasquez in the 31st minute, and his failure to sprint into the box in the 56th minute left Mala on an island against Velasquez. A throwback match to early last season, and not in a good way.
MF Kevon Lambert- 6 Kevon Lambert definitely struggled. He picked up a yellow card, and gave several balls away. Most notably, he gave a ball away in the midfield to spring the Real attack that resulted in its goal. He’s still an undisputed starter with loads of potential, but this match was tough.
MF Solomon Asante- 8 It’s incredible that this is Asante’s LOWEST rating in three weeks. Asante still forced Connor Sparrow into a smart save from distance, and created goal-scoring chances with his beautiful passes. In particular, Solo’s delightful 32nd minute pass and 73rd minute cross for Chris Cortez should have resulted in goals. How lucky is Phoenix Rising to have this man?
MF Collin Fernandez- 7 Collin Fernandez certainly had his moments in this match. He was robbed of an assist when Sparrow brilliantly denied Jason Johnson’s goalbound header. Fernandez has a strong rapport with Asante, and looks strong on set piece deliveries. He picked up a yellow card though, and showed minor weaknesses in defense.
MF/F Jason Johnson- 8 Jason Johnson played his best match of the season. Last year’s team MVP nearly created an assist in the 10th minute, and connected on an excellent header in the 27th minute. Johnson finally got some opportunities to play in space. With any luck, he would’ve scored at least once last night. He won’t be denied much longer with all-around efforts like this.
MF/F Gladson Awako- 6.5 After last week’s underwhelming performance, Awako improved with another starting opportunity. His 33rd minute strike off the crossbar was agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock, and he assisted Asante’s dangerous effort moments later. Carteron likes his former TP Mazembe player, but he was subbed off for Billy Forbes in the 68th minute. It will be interesting if he continues to start over quicker options like Alessandro Riggi, Devin Vega and Billy Forbes.
F Chris Cortez- 5 Chris Cortez gets a marginal bump for getting into dangerous spaces and contributing in some attacking build-ups. However, his misses in the 32nd and 73rd minutes are simply unacceptable for a USL starting striker. It’s understandable if one or both of those chances are on target but saved. However, you cannot be off target with both attempts. Very surprised to see him stay on when Drogba replaced Jason Johnson in the 75th minute. Cortez must take his chances if he wants to continue starting in USL matches.
MF/F Billy Forbes- 6 Very strange to see such a quiet appearance from Billy Forbes. He came on for Awako in the 68th minute, but Phoenix mostly attacked on the right wing in the final 25 minutes. Forbes nearly made up for his quiet performance in stoppage time with a laser effort from a tough angle that nearly rescued a point. Unless he has an undisclosed injury, Forbes needs to start for Phoenix. The attack is not the same without him.
MF/F Didier Drogba- 6 After weeks of speculation, it was refreshing to see Drogba made his debut in the 75th minute. He picked up a yellow card and barely impacted the match. He did produce a couple decent corner kick deliveries. But it seems he will have a very limited role for Phoenix Rising this year.
