Firsts are fun. First date, first car, first match in charge this season for Rick Schantz, and the first matchup with the Las Vegas Lights.

Jason Johnson wanted to make a good first impression and he succeeded, scoring 2 goals with dizzyingly runs from the midfield to help secure a 4-0 win for Rick Schantz and Phoenix Rising FC.

Johnson opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when he received the ball in his own half and went all the way, leaving a Lights player on the ground in his wake. The Rising came back almost immediately but Lights GK Ricardo Ferriño, despite his antics all night, was able to keep it to a one goal halftime lead without offering much in terms of attack. The Lights resorted to long balls from the back but Joe Farrell and Mike Da Fonte were stone walls all night to help secure a second straight clean sheet. 

The second half was a whole other story. The Lights went all out, sending up to six attackers forward. In turn Phoenix was able to find space behind the backline. Phoenix finally found a breather in the 53rd minute as Solomon Asante lifted a free kick into the box and Joe Farrell was able to lose his marker to slot the ball into the back of the net. This only forced the Lights forward even more and Johnson was again ready to strike. Another run dancing around Lights defenders found Johnson at the top of the 18 and he sent a low strike into the near post. Johnson’s second sealed the match and the party in Phoenix was on. The team wasn’t done though, in extra time Kevaughn Frater was brought down in the box and Asante put the bow on the night, placing the penalty shot in the back of the net.    

I don’t think the Lights will want to go on a second date now.

Phoenix Rising Lineup: Woszczynski, Wakasa, Farrell, Da Fonte, Dia, Musa, Lambert, Awako(Waldrep 76), Asante, Cortez(Forbes 65), Johnson(Frater 83)

Las Vegas Lights lineup: Ferrino, Alatorre, Huiqui, Torres, Avila(Mendoza 38), Kobayaski(Samayoa 59), Mathers, Alvarez, Thomas(Jaime 27), Portugal, Ochoa

Goal Summary

32- Johnson (PHX)
53’- Farrell (PHX)
78’- Johnson (PHX)
90+’- Asante (PHX)

Disciple Summary

42’- Wakasa (PHX, Yellow)
52’- Huiqui (LVL, Yellow)
56’- Mathers (LVL, Yellow)
79’- Ferriño (LVL, Yellow)
90+1’- Woszczynski (PHX, Yellow)

Next Match: Saturday, June 16th vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex- 7:30pm