Sporting AZ FC Notches Stunning Upset over Phoenix Rising in Penalties 1(5)- 1(4)
Chandler, AZ- After 120 minutes at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Sporting AZ FC and Phoenix Rising FC were deadlocked at 1-1. In the end, the hosts were rewarded for an inspiring effort with a 5-4 penalty shootout win.
The Firebirds trotted out a stronger starting lineup than many expected, while still giving Devin Vega, Kevaughn Frater, and Evan Waldrep the opportunity to start. The cozy venue also allowed Phoenix Rising’s two major supporters groups, Los Bandidos and The Red Fury, an opportunity to cheer together behind the north goal.
Frater got the action started in the third minute with he nearly got on the end of a delightful Victor Vasquez cross. Frater came even closer in the eighth minute, when his free kick curled a yard wide of the post. Sporting AZ’s Ryan Flood and Chris Cortez traded half chances, but neither team created a clear-cut chance early. Alejandro Aguilar kept Carl Woszczynski alert with a 23rd minute lob effort as the hosts came into the match.
Sporting AZ played almost the same Starting XI from its win at FC Arizona, and its cohesiveness showed on defense. Sporting AZ’s back four played a masterful offside trap to limit the visitors’ chances. Even with Aguilar coming off in the 39th for Jose Ramos, the hosts were good value for the halftime 0-0 draw. Alessandro Riggi and Vasquez tried to put Phoenix Rising ahead in the waning moments, but Sporting keeper Andrew Weber was never seriously tested.
The visitors stormed into the second half and nearly went ahead. First, Vasquez tested Weber with a cross-turned-shot, then Vega slammed hie rebound effort into Weber’s hands. Sporting AZ recovered and then tested Woszczynski with a 54th minute goal-bound effort from David Paul. After another missed chance for Phoenix Rising, the visitors finally pulled ahead in the 64th minute when Cortez turned and rolled his effort into the bottom right corner. Two minutes later, Danny Arrubla squared things for Sporting with a rocket roofed shot over Woszczynski’s hands. At this time, Amadou Dia and Jason Johnson replaced Riggi and Vega.
Dia played a cheeky ball for Frater shortly after, but Weber came out to deny the Jamaican striker. Sporting AZ then came agonizingly close to breaking through in the 75th, but Woszczynski made a point-blank stop on Arrubla. The quiet match turned into a track meet in the late stages, with the sides taking turns pressing for the winner. In the 88th minute, Eijin Kishimoto picked up the game’s first card with a stonewall yellow on Dia. Johnson tried to score on a late effort, but he couldn’t find the target from a tight angle. So the squads headed to the dreaded extra time.
Gladson Awako replaced an energetic Evan Waldrep for the extra 30 minutes as both teams made their final sub. Sporting AZ sub Danny Arellano tried to put the hosts ahead in the 91st minute, but his header sailed over the bar. In the 95th, Awako’s delivery was flicked on by Dia, but Doueugui Mala could not provide the final touch. Cortez almost made someone out of nothing in the 105th with classy control on a long ball, but his shot went straight to Weber.
Sporting AZ created the first excellent chance of the second extra frame when Tony Cascio came inches away from putting the hosts ahead on a 110th minute strike. Johnson rose for a header in the 113th, but it went over. Phoenix Rising nearly won it in the 119th when Dia’s in-swinging cross was directed inches wide.
The penalties went as follows:
PRFC (4)- Cortez N, Johnson Y, Frater Y, Awako Y, Dia Y, Wakasa N
SAZ (5)- Flood Y, Vulovich- Y, LaMarca Y, Guse Y, Paul N, Kishimoto Y
Cortez clanged his first effort off the crossbar before the teams traded goals. Awako’s fourth kick was nearly saved by Weber, but Paul had the chance to send Sporting AZ home happy. Incredibly, he skied his effort over the bar to extend the shootout to Round 6. Kody Wakasa’s effort was saved by Weber, but the backspin nearly pushed it over the line. The ball trickled against the post, then rolled teasingly out. Kishimoto would not miss the second chance to send the hosts home victorious, and his buried effort sent the home crowd into ecstasy.
