In a repeat of the first matchup of the season, Phoenix Rising used a Chris Cortez goal to secure a 1-0 over Seattle Sounders 2. The win propels Phoenix Rising into first place in the USL Western Conference with a two-point advantage over Real Monarchs SLC and Orange County SC.
With only two changes from last week’s loss to San Antonio FC, Phoenix Rising encountered a wet and slick field which affected play most of the night. Neither team was able to dominate the match, with constant build-up hard to come by thanks to sloppy play in the midfield. In the 16th minute however, with Abdul-Salaam high up the pitch found Asante at the top of the box, who then chipped it back to Abdul-Salaam in the box. A deflection saw the ball fall to Chris Cortez and after a single touch, ripped a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
That. Ball. Movement. @c_cortez88 finishes a nice buildup to give the team a one-goal lead.
STREAM: https://t.co/4iNLaagvLu#SEAvPHX | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/yu43WbBEzJ
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) September 16, 2018
The goal was Cortez’s 16th of the season, putting him tied for second in the USL Golden Boot race. Cortez has a chance to add to his tally later in the first half but his rocket of a shot went wide.
Billy Forbes has the best chance in the opening period of the second half, sprung from a pass by Chris Cortez. Unfortunately, Forbes was unable to find the net 1-v-1 with the goalkeeper. Cortez had another couple of chances, the first off a keeper deflection he was unable to react to quick enough, and the second off a header. It wasn’t until the last 15 minutes that Seattle appeared to press for the tying goal. Carl Woszczynski did not have much to do until the 84th minute when he tipped a dangerous S2 free-kick over the bar. Cortez had one last chance but hit the left post off a Solomon Asante cross. The final whistle came soon after and for at least the next 22 hours, Phoenix Rising will occupy the top spot in the West.
The math is complicated, but the win provides Phoenix Rising FC with its second consecutive trip to the USL Postseason. The Tulsa victory over San Antonio, as well as head-to-head matchup for mid-table opponents made for an an unlikely combination of factors, and the late realization.
Goals
16’- Chris Cortez, PHX
Starting Lineups
Phoenix Rising: Woszczynski, Dia, Blackmon, Farrell, Abdul-Salaam, Musa, Lambert, Vega (Awako 59), Forbes (Brewer Jr. 67), Cortez (Frater 92), Asante
Seattle Sounders 2: Brown, Ulysse, Hinds (Usman 75), Brisco, Markey, Daley, Wingo (Ele 58), Burke-Gilroy, Bwana (Estrada 46), Hopeau, Olsen
Next Up: Phoenix travel to Colorado Springs to take on the Switchbacks next Saturday, the 22nd. The match will be at 5:00pm and can be seen on Cox 4 and ESPN+.
