Two early first-half goals by Sacramento Republic’s Cameron Iwasa and Villyan Bijev led them to a 3-1 victory over Phoenix Rising FC in front of 6,503 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex Saturday night, spoiling Dider Drogba’s 500th match played in club soccer.

PHOENIX RISING LINEUP  (3-4-3) (Subs): Zac Lubin; Mike da Fonte (Alessandro Riggi 77), James Musa, Joseph Farrell; Amadou Dia, Kevon Lambert, Gladson Awako (Chris Cortez 54), Kody Wakasa; Jason Johnson (Kevaughn Frater 82), Didier Drogba, Solomon Asante.

SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: Carl Woszczynski; Doueuegi Mala, Devonte Dubose; Colin Fernandez; Kevaughn Frater.

MATCH RECAP: Phoenix Rising came out on the front foot in the first five minutes, getting shots on goal from Solomon Asante in the second minute and Jason Johnson in the fifth. However, Sacramento Republic would get on the board first in the eighth minute when Cameron Iwasa broke away from James Musa and slotted it past Zac Lubin for a 1-0 lead.

Phoenix would get one of its best chances of the first half in the 13th minute when Didier Drogba would hit a free kick just outside the box on the right and hit it to the back post for Mike da Fonte, but his header went just over the bar.

Sacramento would double its lead in the 21st minute when Villyan Bijev hit a shot from just outside the box that was laid back to him and he caught Lubin flat-footed and scored to the lower right corner for a 2-0 lead.

Phoenix Rising was awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute when Jason Johnson was taken down on a scoring attempt. Drogba stepped up to take the penalty, but Sacramento keeper Josh Cohen was up to the task, saving the penalty and then forcing a foul in the box before Asante had scored.

Drogba had another attempt in the 39th minute on a free kick from about 3o yards out, but Cohen did well to dive and make the save on Drogba.

Phoenix Rising pulled one back in the 62nd minute when Solomon Asante crossed a ball to substitute Chris Cortez, who roofed one over the top of Cohen to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Sacramento would extend the lead to 3-1 on a goal from Wilson Kneeshaw in the 88th minute after a counter attack that left Phoenix Rising vulnerable in the back.

Drogba had a couple of free kicks in extra time right outside the box, one of them saved by Cohen to preserve the victory.

UP NEXT: Phoenix Rising begins a three-match road trip which starts in Kansas City Sat., May 26 against Swope Park Rangers at Children’s Mercy Park. Match time is 12 p.m. Arizona time.

SCORING SUMMARY:

SAC – 8′ Cameron Iwasa

SAC- 21′ Villyan Bijev

PHX- 62′ Chris Cortez

SAC- 88′ Wilson Kneeshaw

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:

SAC- 32′ Carlos Rodriguez (Yellow)

SAC- 39′ Villyan Bijev (Yellow)

SAC- 41′ Shannon Gomez (Yellow)

PHX- 45′ + 2 Koday Wakasa (Yellow)

PHX- 59′ Mike da Fonte (Yellow)

SAC- 64′ Jure Matjasic (Yellow)

SAC- 90′ + 2 Mitchell Trainor (Yellow)

PHX- 90′ + 2 Didier Drogba (Yellow)