Welcome back to Rising Tactics Recap, a weekly column where I attempt to provide insight to Phoenix Rising fans by breaking down some strategic and tactical observations from Phoenix’s latest match.

I take notes on every Phoenix Rising game I watch. If I’m up in the press box, I’m taking notes. If I’m watching at home, I’m taking notes. Those notes usually contain tactical observations, player evaluations, and important (to me at least) moments in the match. 

Kevon Lambert’s name appeared very, very frequently in my notes from Phoenix’s 0-0 draw with Sacramento Republic. Typically attached to Lambert’s name in my notes was a superlative. 

“Incredible touch”. 

“Impressive tackle.”

“Making plays again.”

Saturday in Sacramento felt like Lambert staking a real claim to this year’s edition of Phoenix Rising. Last year belonged to Didier Drogba (and partly to Chris Cortez). This year could belong to Lambert.

Rick Schantz started out the season by deploying his team in a 4-3-3/4-1-4-1 shape with two more attacking midfielders in front of a single deep-lying midfielder. While Lambert was capable of playing any of the midfield spots in that shape, Phoenix’s shift to a 4-2-3-1 has allowed him to make a much bigger impact on the game.

Lambert and Collin Fernandez have formed a fearsome double pivot in Schantz’s 4-2-3-1: Phoenix have not conceded a goal in games where those two players start next to each other. 

Because Lambert has a midfield partner, he has freedom to move around the field, push forward in transition moments, and create high up the field.

Against Sacramento, Lambert’s impact was evident. He was all over the field. Let’s take a look at some of the different areas of the game where Lambert dominated.

Defensively

We have already discussed Lambert’s overall defensive value. He and Fernandez have elevated Phoenix’s defensive play. But, to gain a greater appreciation for the Jamaican midfielder’s defensive work, we need to get into the film. 

With his long frame, Lambert is the perfect player to shield a backline. He has the legs and speed to cover ground, cut out passing angles, and make tackles in the open field. Look at this tackle:

Lambert stays patient and doesn’t make a rash decision and step in too early. Instead, he waits for the Sacramento player to take a heavy touch and pokes the ball loose.  That level of patience and defensive awareness is rare, especially for a 22-year-old player.

This tackle, later in the first half against Sacramento, is another great example of Lambert’s defensive timing. 

It’s slightly more difficult to see because the play unfolds on the far side of the field, but the sequence starts out with Junior Flemmings getting beaten on the left side of Phoenix’s defense. As Flemmings gets beaten, Lambert is right there, ready to cover for his teammate.

Lambert slides in at just the right time, tackles the ball away, stands up, and plays a pass forward. It’s a flawless sequence from Lambert that shows off his positioning, range, and instincts. 

Offensively

There are some players that just glide with the ball. You might not expect a 6’3” central midfielder to be one of them, but Lambert most definitely moves effortlessly with the ball at his feet. He has a soft touch, quick acceleration, and good top-end speed, which combine to make it difficult to knock him off the ball.

I audibly gasped when I saw this play unfold on Saturday. Then I rewound the game to see it again. Then I gasped again. 

Not only does Lambert beat two Sacramento players to a loose ball in midfield, but he hits the ball with a totally perfect first touch that allows him to continue his forward momentum and play the ball wide to Solomon Asante. 

Lambert has shown it before and he proved it again on Saturday: he can make game-changing plays in the midfield. The above attack was about a foot away from ending in a picturesque headed-goal from José Aguinaga. That whole sequence would never have happened without Lambert’s influence in the middle of the field.

Before we get into The Final Third, I want to point out one last thing about Lambert. He excels at turning defense into attack. Lambert is excellent at covering ground and reading opposing attacks and positioning himself in space to stop those attacks. Once Lambert wins the ball, he typically takes short, efficient touches and plays the ball forward into the attack. 

In this sequence, Phoenix Rising’s press breaks down and leaves Lambert isolated in the middle of the field as the lone shied in front of the backline. Undaunted, Lambert stays patient, drops back ever-so-slightly to give himself an extra second to read the play, and intercepts the ball. 

He then immediately plays the ball forward between two opposing players and into the attack.

Lambert’s ability to impact the game with and without the ball has become extremely important to Phoenix Rising this season. If he puts in more performances like the one against Sacramento, this really will be Lambert’s team.

The Final Third:

• For the first time this season, I think we saw José Aguinaga struggle. Aguinaga still provided value by progressing the ball up the field and keeping possession in tight spaces, but he struggled to see the final pass in and around the box. That is probably the area of his game that needs the most development.
• Phoenix varied their attacking strategy once again against Sacramento. At the start of the game, it looked like the idea was to play long balls over the top to Jason Johnson. Once Johnson went down with an injury, Phoenix still tried to play direct passes over Sacramento’s pressure. Later on in the game, they started to keep the ball more. I’m not sure which style was more effective, but it’s probably a positive that Phoenix have multiple attacking styles to play with.
• I mentioned his name earlier, but I want to give Collin Fernandez a brief shout-out here. He may not be as much of an attacking difference-maker as Lambert, but Fernandez has been truly phenomenal in Phoenix’s midfield.