Normally Solomon Asante and Chris Cortez are the ones scoring goals for Phoenix Rising, but on Saturday night they were the providers to Joe Farrell and Kevon Lambert in Rising’s 2-1 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

Rising entered the match with four changes from last week’s win over Sounders 2. Gladson Awako, Colin Fernandez, Mike Da Fonte, and Devante Dubose replaced Devin Vega, Billy Forbes, Tristan Blackmon (recalled to LAFC), and Saad Abdul-Salaam (injury).

Colorado Springs started the match attacking Phoenix, looking to get an early edge. Spending most of the time in Rising’s half, the Switchbacks sent cross after cross into the box but Mike Da Fonte and Farrell were up to the task, ensuring Carl Woszczynski clear of any danger. Phoenix weathered the storm and were rewarded in the 22nd minute when a Joe Farrell header found the back of the net off a Solomon Asante corner kick. The goal was Farrell’s fourth of the season and his second against the Switchbacks this year.

Defender @pharrellson notches his second goal of the season against @SwitchbacksFC and makes it 1-0 PRFC. #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/WFRsVzgIj8

— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) September 23, 2018

Unlike recent weeks, Phoenix was able to add to their early lead on the simplest of goals. Carl Woszczynski played a long ball up to Chris Cortez, who nodded it into the path of Kevon Lambert. The Switchback defense seemed to stop playing at that point but Lambert kept on dribbling and poked it it past Switchbacks Keeper Moise Pouaty to give Rising the 2-0 going into halftime.

Kevon Lambert. Finisher.@k_lmbrt27 #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/0wrz2fm1pr

— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) September 23, 2018

The second half was all Colorado Springs and the pressure finally caved in for Phoenix. Saeed Robinson found open space from the top of the box and squeezed a shot past Woszczynski’s far post. The Switchbacks made sure the rest of the match was one way traffic and would have tied the match if not for Woz. Just three minutes after the Colorado Springs goal, Jordan Burt headed a cross off the far post and the follow-up from Shane Malcolm forced Woz to dive to his left to keep the ball out. The last 20 minutes of the match had Rising fan’s heart rate higher than normal this season but after 5 minutes of added time, extra time only understood by the fourth official, the final whistle was blown and Phoenix added another 3 points to the season tally.

Short Corners

• The win from Phoenix broke two club records, first for wins in a season (18) and second for points in a season (59).
• Rising are now one point behind first place Orange County, with Phoenix having a game in hand.
• The magic number to clinch a home playoff match in the first round is now 5, though that might change with the remaining matches tonight in the USL.  
• Phoenix finishes their 3 game road trip with 9 points and will play 3 of their last 4 matches in the friendly confines of Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex

Goals

22’- Joseph Farrell, PHX (Asante Assist)

43’- Kevon Lambert, PHX (Cortez Assist)

66’- Saeed Robinson, COS

Starting Lineups

Phoenix Rising FC: Woszczynski, Dia, Da Fonte, Farrell, Dubose, Musa, Lambert, Awako, Fernandez (Brewer Jr. 67′), Cortez (Frater 77′), Asante (Waldrep 90′)

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Pouaty, Robinson, Hunter (Vercollone 67’), Jack, Tambe, Burt, Malcolm, Hamilton (Maybin 77’), Schweitzer, Suggs, Toye (Ajeakwa 62’)

Up Next: Phoenix Rising returns home to take on St. Louis FC Saturday, the 29th, at 7:30pm.