Shaky defense and a resilient attack for were on display for Phoenix Rising in their season opener, stealing a point from San Antonio FC in a 3-3 draw.

Five player debuts were handed out in Rick Schantz’s first game as full-time manager: Junior Flemmings, Adam Jahn, Mustapha Dumbuya, Lamar Batista, and Jose Aguinaga. Phoenix started pretty shaky in the first 20 minutes, unable to keep much possession and being pushed back by the San Antonio attack. This culminated in the opening goal when Ever Guzman split the unexpected center back pairing of Mala and Batista for an easy tap-in. Fortunately, that deficit didn’t last long when in the 21st minute, Solomon Asante found Flemmings to open his Rising account.

.@Asante208 creates the goal scoring opportunity and we get our first look at #TheFlemmingo (@Flemmo_77)#SAvPHX | 1-1

STREAM: https://t.co/kQnctFo8GZ pic.twitter.com/I7HGABhWrX

— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) March 10, 2019

While San Antonio continued to attack, Phoenix’s defense slowly improved. That is until the 40th minute, when another defensive lapse allowed to regain the lead. This time, it was Amadou Dia who whiffed on a slide tackle, giving former Rising winger Billy Forbes acres of space. Forbes moved swiftly, and after cutting into the box, sent a rocket into the back of the net. This San Antonio lead would last only a short while, as four minutes later Adam Jahn would match Flemmings and open his Rising account off Flemming’s assist.

What deficit? @Flemmo_77 assists @AdamJahn14 to level the match again.#SAvPHX | 2-2

STREAM: https://t.co/kQnctFo8GZ pic.twitter.com/sJTWmOXnFO

— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) March 10, 2019

The second half started off much better than the first, with Phoenix doing better with their possession and the defense standing up well the pressure put on by the San Antonio trio of Forbes, Guzman, and Laing. Carl Woszczynski, ever the man to show up in big spots, made a couple of timely saves, first on Guzman in the 54th minute and then stuffing a SAFC breakaway in the 63rd. The game would continue to be tied until the 80th minute, when Jahn doubled his total, only this time putting it into his own net off a SAFC corner.

Phoenix brought in Jason Johnson (Flemmings), Devin Vega (Aguinaga), and Joey Calistri (Musa) push for yet another equalizer. As luck would have it, the 3rd goal was found. Asante started movement in the defensive third, taking the ball from Forbes and carrying it to the midfield before the ball made its way to Dia on the left side. Dia’s cross went over the top of a crowded group in front of net before Lambert could settle it and send it back across. There it found the head of Jason Johnson, whose bouncing header found the back of the net. The dramatic extra-time goal was the final shot of the match, which ended in a heart-stopping draw.

Jason. Johnson. (@reggae_j11)

Equalizer at the death! #UpRising pic.twitter.com/GmkCj8bGoQ

— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) March 10, 2019

There are issues that will need to be fixed before next week’s home opener with New Mexico United but for now, not a bad opener in a hostile environment for the team.

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Scoring Summary
9’ – Guzman, SAFC
21’ – Flemmings, PHX
40’- Forbes, SAFC
43’ – Jahn, PHX
80’ – Jahn (Own Goal)
93’ – Johnson, PHX

Starting Lineups
Phoenix Rising FC
Woszczynski, Dia, Mala, Batista, Dumbuya, Musa (Calistri 85’), Lambert, Aguinaga (Vega 78’), Flemmings (Johnson 84’), Jahn, Asante

San Antonio FC
Cordone, Greene, Ackon, Yaro, Didic, Recka, Forbes, Parano (Lahoud 85’), Barmby, Laing, Guzman (Jamieson 69”)

Next Up: The home opener next Saturday (3/16) against expansion side New Mexico United

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