• Matches Recap

    Jason Johnson Rescues Point for Phoenix Rising, Again

    Mark Murray

    Photos by Ashley Orellana

    It was a different week but the same result as Phoenix Rising came back from 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 down to steal a point from New Mexico United thanks to a Jason Johnson header.

    Rising made three changes from last week’s season opener, giving a season debut to Tristan Blackmon and Rising debuts to A.J. Cochran and loanee Javier Perez, replacing Doueugui Mala, Lamar Batista, and James Musa. Rising started this week much better than in San Antonio, establishing an early possession advantage over the expansion side. However, New Mexico struck first through Santi Moar. The winger received the ball just inside the box on the left side and curled his shot into the top right corner, leaving Woszczynski no chance. Phoenix would return the favor 13 minutes later where Solomon Asante equalized from the spot after being tripped in the box.

    The score would change again a minute later as New Mexico found the back of the net again from long-range, this time from former Rising forward Kevaughn Frater. Frater was given space a couple of yard outside the box and took his chance, squeezing the ball past Woz to regain the lead.

    Phoenix went into the half down one and Coach Schantz didn’t waste time making a change, as LAFC loanee Shaft Brewer Jr. came in to replace Mustapha Dumbuya. It didn’t take long for Rising to equalize again from the penalty spot. This time, Junior Flemmings was dragged down and Asante stepped up to the spot again to score his second.

    New Mexico again answered right back 7 minutes later when Santi Moar broke down the field and, with no defender stepping up, unleashed another shot from outside the box just past the reach of Woszczynski. This set the stage for a repeat performance in the form of Jason Johnson, entering the matching in the 61st minute and finding himself free in the box in the 71st.

    Like last week, his header found the back of the net to equalize but unlike the game against San Antonio, Phoenix had plenty of time to find a winner. Rising’s best remaining chance occurred in the 82nd minute after a free kick was won in the Nex Mexico half. The free kick founds the head of a diving A.J. Cochran but the ball went over the bar from just a few yards out. New Mexico United also threaten in the remaining time but the final whistle came without a tie-breaker.

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    Scoring Summary
    16′- Santi Moar, NMU
    29′- Solomon Asante, PHX (Penalty)
    30′- Kevaughn Frater, NMU
    48′- Solomon Asante, PHX (Penalty)
    55′- Santi Moar, NMU
    71′- Jason Johnson, PHX

    Starting Lineups
    Phoenix Rising
    Woszczynski, Dia, Cochran, Blackmon, Dumbuya (Brewer Jr. 46′), Lambert, Perez Ja. (Calistri 90′), Aguinaga (Johnson 61′), Flemmings, Asante, Jahn

    New Mexico United
    Mizell, Yearwood (Padilla 45′), Suggs, Tetteh, Schmidt, Estrada, Moar (Madden 91′), Williams, Guzman, Sandoval, Frater (Muhammad 75′)

    Up Next: Phoenix Rising is off next week and returns to Casino Arizona Field on March 30th to face the Colorado Springs Switchbacks

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