Despite a late first-half red card, Phoenix Rising held on in the second half thanks to Carl Woszczynski to break the four match draw streak with Orange County SC with a 1-0 win Friday at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in front of 7,001 fans.
Starting the same 11 for the fourth straight match, Phoenix started the match aggressively and it almost paid off instantly when Jason Johnson found Solomon Asante all alone in the box, but Asante’s shot was scuffed well wide of the net. Phoenix was able to find the net soon after in the 13th minute when Kevon Lambert floated a ball to the back post, where Chris Cortez charged in to slot home a sliding finish. The goal was Cortez’s eighth of the season, the most he has scored in a season with Arizona United SC/Phoenix Rising. The match settled until the 35th minute. when Kody Wakasa saw red after taking Mike Seaton down from behind just outside the box. Schantz immediately went to the bench, bringing in Doueugui Mala to shore up the backline. Phoenix was able to get to the half with their lead still intact.
As predicted, Orange County held control in the second half, though unable to produce much of a threat in the early going. Orange County came close in the 63rd minute, when Kevin Alston rang a shot off the crossbar and the ball landed right at the feet of Michael Seaton, who blasted the ball past Woszczynski. That panic would be short-lived when the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. Two minutes later, Orange County had another chance that Woszczynski came out to smother. From then on, Orange County cranked the pressure up, but despite multiple shot attempts it wouldn’t be until the 91st minute that Orange County threatened again. A cross was sent into the six yard box, where it found the head of Alex Crognale, who scored late against Phoenix in the season opener, but Woszczynski was there with a diving tip save to preserve the lead. Phoenix had a late chance to put the game away when Evan Waldrep sprung free down the left side before setting up Jason Johnson. Johnson’s shot went wide but the celebrations began as the ref blew the whistle for full-time. With the clean sheet, Phoenix has now kept five straight opponents off the scoreboard, all in the month of June and a club record. Woszczynski also broke a club record with 466 minutes played without giving up a goal in net, going back to the May 30 match against Saint Louis FC.
The win gives Phoenix Rising 35 points on the season, only two back of Real Monarchs SLC, and a six point cushion on third-place Sacramento Republic.
Man of the Match: Carl Woszczynski stepped up big in the second half when the team needed him the most with three brillant saves late in the second half and six overall.
Scoring Summary
13’- Chris Cortez (Lambert Assist)
Phoenix Rising XI: Carl Woszczynski, Kody Wakasa (Red Card 35’), Mike da Fonte, Joe Farrell, Amadou Dia, James Musa, Kevon Lambert, Gladson Awako (Doueuegi Mala 40’), Jason Johnson, Chris Cortez (Kevaughn Frater 68’), Solomon Asante (Evan Waldrep 87’).
Phoenix Rising subs not used: Zac Lubin, Devonte Dubose, Alessandro Riggi, Billy Forbes
Orange County XI: Rawls, Amico, Juel-Nielsen, Crognale, Alston, Ramos-Godoy (Owusu-Ansah 62’), Duke (Czornomaz 82’), Djurman (Hooiveld 78’), Quinn, Enevoldsen, Seaton
Next Match: Phoenix Rising has a two-week break before they play July 14 against Fresno FC at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, Calif.
