• Matches Recap

    Subs Seal First Round Home Match in Rising’s 2-0 Win Over Saint Louis FC

    Mark Murray

     

    Needing a win and three points to clinch a first-round home match in the playoffs, substitutes Billy Forbes and Chris Cortez found the back of the net to propel Phoenix to the late 2-0 victory.

    Phoenix made two changes from their 2-1 win last week in Colorado Springs, replacing Colin Fernandez and Chris Cortez with Shaft Brewer Jr. and a little-known player by the name of Didier Drogba. The start was Drogba’s first since the 3-1 loss to Sacramento Republic on May 20th. Phoenix got off to a quick start, Awako finding some space and firing a shot in the first minute. The ball didn’t find the back of the net, a theme for Phoenix in the first half. Unlike past weeks, Phoenix found themselves with a majority of the possession with Saint Louis sitting back and looking to break on the counter. The rest of the first half saw Phoenix gather a couple more half chances but nothing close to becoming a goal.

    The second half started much like the first, this time it was Asante’s turn to come close to goal inside a minute of the half starting. Drogba also got himself involved, setting up the Asante shot and crashing the box on a speculative cross. Saint Louis was able to fight back into the match, finding their best chance in the 50th minute when Wal Fall stung Woszczynski’s left crossbar. Phoenix responded immediately, coming back down the field and forcing Saint Louis into a save via a Drogba rocket. Asante and Awako both added to the shot totals in minutes 68 and 71 respectively but it wasn’t until the 82nd that Phoenix found the back of the net. James Musa forced a Saint Turnover near the 18-yard box, with the ball falling to Billy Forbes. Forbes took a couple of touches and fired a low left-footed shot into the far corner, his third of the season.

    Rick Schantz made his final sub of the night in the 90th minute, bring Chris Cortez in for Didier. Just minutes later, Cortez made sure the result would be a home win, lifting a short free kick from the right side over the wall and into the back of the net, his 17th of the season and 50th in his USL career. The goal also tied him for the franchise record with 29, pulling him even with Long Tan atop the leaderboard.    

     

    What it Means: Phoenix clinched its first-ever home playoff match with its fourth straight home win tonight and keeps pace with Orange County in the fight for first place. Phoenix still holds it’s own destiny, only a point behind OC with a game in hand.

    Man of the Match: Billy Forbes. The substitute was a spark off the bench, scoring the game-winner and creating 2 chances. The winger has found starts few and far between but his speed and vision off the bench make him a valuable asset as the playoffs approach us.

    Goals

    82’- Billy Forbes, PHX

    90+2’- Chris Cortez, PHX

    Starting Lineups

    Phoenix Rising: Woszczynski, Dia, Da Fonte, Farrell, Abdul-Salaam, Musa, Lambert, Awako (Vega 77), Brewer Jr. (Forbes 63), Asante, Drogba (Cortez 90)

    Saint Louis FC: Gomez, Polak, Reynolds, Fink, Walls, Fall (Kavita 53), Hilton, Dacres, Calistri, Dikwa (Hertzog 77), Greig (Cox 74)

    Up Next: Phoenix Rising welcomes Reno 1868 FC to town next Saturday, the 6th, at 7:30 pm.

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