Matches Preview

Preview: Phoenix Travels to San Antonio Looking For Season Sweep

Phoenix Rising Forward celebrates his 12th goal of the season with Kevon Lambert, who provided an assist against San Antonio FC on August 22, 2018 (Aaron Blau)

MATCH DETAILS

Phoenix Rising FC (16-6-5, 50 pts., 2nd in West) vs. San Antonio FC (11-9-7, 40 pts., 8th in West)

5:30 p.m., Saturday, Toyota Field, San Antonio, TX

TV: Cox 4 (SD) and 1004 (HD) in Phoenix, Cox 7 (SD) and 1007 (HD) in Tucson

Live Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required)

Radio: El Patron 97.3 FM (Spanish)

MatchCenter: SAvPHX

 

PHOENIX RISING LAST MATCH: The final $1 beer night of the season was missing some of the magic of previous matches, but still ended in a positive result for Phoenix Rising FC.  A 1-0 victory over the lowly Rio Grande Valley Toros was made possible by an embarrassing defensive error and a Solomon Asante goal.  Carl Wozczynski returned to a starting role in goal for injured Zach Lubin, and Tristan Blackmon returned in his second loan stint from LAFC.  Also joining Blackmon on the field for the first time was LAFC loanee Joshua Perez.

 

Team News: Kevon Lambert, Dallas Jaye, and Shaft Brewer Jr. continue their international service, with Lambert getting a start in Jamaica’s friendly on Friday vs. Ecuador.

 

San Antonio FC Report:  After suffering a four game losing streak, including a 4-0 defeat to Phoenix, SAFC picked up two huge wins in their quest for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. San Antonio’s 2-1 win over the 1st place Real Monarchs was the first home defeat of the year for SLC. San Antonio has also added some depth since the last time these two team played. Lance Laing, a lonaee from FC Cincinnati, scored both goals in the aforementioned 2-1 win while defender Moises Hernandez joined the team on Thursday from FC Dallas. Ever Guzman remains dangerous, with a goal in each of the past two wins.  

For a preview from the San Antonio perspective, check out the Red Black 90 blog.

 

LAST MEETING: Phoenix took care of business against San Antonio, winning 4-0 when these two team met just 17 days ago. Chris Cortez scored the game’s first goal off a Kevon Lambert cross and just 9 minutes later Solomon Asante doubled the lead thanks to a Diego Restrepo error. Devin Vega increased the lead to three just before halftime with a left-footed volley into the top corner against his former team. A second yellow was given to Doueugui Mala in the 59th minute but Phoenix maintained control of the match, scoring the fourth and final goal in the 64th by way of Billy Forbes, joining his teammate Vega in scoring against his former team.

 

PREVIOUS FORM (Last five league matches played):

Phoenix Rising FC: L-W-W-W-W

San Antonio FC: L-L-L-W-W

 

POSSIBLE STARTING XI