Like a David Copperfield show on the strip, Saturday night’s affair between the Rising and the Las Vegas Lights was mostly forgettable. Thankfully, Solomon Asante was on hand to provide the early fireworks and Kevaughn Frater closed it out with his first Rising goal to give and the team will travel back home with the three points.
With an eye toward the midweek match-up, Coach Schantz made 5 changes from last week’s loss to OCSC, including a Rising debut for Saad Abdul-Salaam and a USL starting debut for Evan Waldrep. Las Vegas did their best to provide the early fireworks right from the kick-off as Omar Salgado curled a shot toward the top left corner but it met the right glove of Zac Lubin and Phoenix breathed a sigh of relief. Not too long after, Kevaughn Frater carried the ball down the left side and floated a cross to the back post, meeting the head of 5’2” Solomon Asante. His header was denied by the wild Ricardo Ferrino but the deflection fell closest to him and his second chance was not going to miss. The goal was Asante’s fourth straight for the Rising and 11th of the season, joining Chris Cortez as double-digit scorers on the season. The rest of the first half provided little else in substances with Las Vegas racking up off-target shots and Phoenix struggling to connect Frater with the rest of the midfield.
The second half was a tidier performance from Phoenix, shutting down what little opportunity Las Vegas found. The introduction of Billy Forbes brought energy to the match and Forbes found himself involved in the second goal. Forbes found himself free with the ball in the 18-yard box before the GK Ferrino decided to play the man instead of the ball and a clear penalty was awarded. Kevaughn Frater stepped up to the spot and cheekily chipped the keeper to give Phoenix a 2 goal advantage and the assumed 3 points. The goal was Frater’s second of the season. The Lights threatened one last time, earning an indirect free kick halfway into extra time but the low attempt was blocked and clear. The final whistle came shortly after and the 3 points were earned. The performance was not anything Coach Schantz probably wants to be repeated but for tonight, it was enough.
Phoenix is now 13-6-5, 44pts., on the season and are still three points back of Orange County but a game in hand and six behind Real Monarchs.
Scoring Summary
10’- Solomon Asante
85’- Kevaughn Frater (P)
Starting Lineups
Phoenix Rising XI: Lubin, Saad, Farrell, Da Fonte, Dia, Musa, Lambert, Waldrep (Vega 65), Asante, Johnson (Forbes 70), Frater (Brewer Jr. 90)
Las Vegas Lights FC: Ferrino, Avila, Inigo, Perez (Torres 55), Herrera-Perla, Mendoza (Miranda 74), Garcia, Kobayashi, Thomas (Ochoa 59), Salgado, Mendiola
Next Up: San Antonio FC comes to town this Wednesday, August 22nd at 7:00pm. San Antonio is currently 8th in the Western Conference, only a single point above Swope Park.
