All you need is one: Drogba goal leads Phoenix Rising FC over LA Galaxy II
Sometimes, all you need is one.
In the case of Phoenix Rising FC, that meant a single goal from two shots on target. That was all that they needed however, as Didier Drogba was able to send Phoenix home with a 1-0 win over LA Galaxy II Wednesday at the StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium in Carson, Calif.
Phoenix Rising (3-1-1) was hoping that the short turnaround for tonight’s match would lessen the sting of last Saturday’s defeat against Real Monarchs SLC. For the first 45 minutes however, that was not the case. The Rising started the match slow, allowing Galaxy II (0-3-2) to maintain possession and create some half-chances, including a cross delivered by Geoffrey Acheampong that Julian Buscher was unable to get on frame despite being seven yards out and a Frank Lopez shot that went just wide after scooting past goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski. Phoenix Rising was able to get a hold of the match later in the half but still unable to produce any meaningful chances
Phoenix Rising did start the second half on a brighter note, maintaining better possession and keeping Galaxy II pinned in their own half. In the 54th minute, it was Woszczynski stepping up to make a Save of the Week worthy stop on an Acheampong curler that was headed for the top corner. Phoenix Rising countered a few minutes later, but neither Drogba or Kevon Lambert were able to find the goal with headers from close range. It was in the 64th minute, out of nowhere, when Drogba, Billy Forbes, and Gladson Awako combined, with Drogba curling one in from the top of the box, leaving Galaxy II goalkeeper Justin vom Steeg with no chance. With a one goal lead, Phoenix was happy to sit back to absorb the Los Dos attack and counter when given the chance. LA was unable to produce much danger, with only a couple of free kicks in ranges and two late corners.
Scoring Summary
PHX- 64’- Drogba (Assist by Awako)
Discipline
31’- Yellow Card, Acheampong (LAGII)
92’- Yellow Card, Da Fonte (PHX)
94’- Yellow Card, Buscher (LAGII)
Lineups
Phoenix Rising
Woszczynski, Dia, Mala, Da Fonte, Dubose, Lambert, Fernandez, Awako (Johnson 83), Forbes (Riggi 83), Asante, Drogba©
LA Galaxy II
vom Steeg, Requejo, Arellano, Hilliard-Arce©, Shultz, Pedro (Appiah 84), Acheampong (Aguilar 72), Buscher, Lassiter (Llanez Jr. 46), Lopez, Zubak
Up Next: Apr. 21 vs. Swope Park Rangers at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
