Sometimes, there are moments that amaze you. You try to figure out what just happened and the answer can not be found. Yet, it still happens, again and again and again and again, sometimes 13 times, or 14 times, or even 15 times. You are just left in wonder and that’s enough.

Phoenix won their 14th USL match, and 13th straight on $1 Dollar Night, with a 4-2 win over the Western Conference’s second-best team, Reno 1868. 

Rick Schantz, away from the team this week at a coaching course, made only one change from last week’s win replacing Jose Aguinaga with James Musa.  

Phoenix started out on the front foot, in a match much more open than the previous 3-4 games, and just like last week, started the scoring in the 20 minute. Junior Flemmings gathered the ball near the left sideline before darting in and around 4 Reno defenders before curling a shot that dipped under the outstretched arm of Matt Bersano.

\However, Reno came roaring back and controlled the rest of the half. They had three clear chances to find the back of the net but Mustapha Dumbuya, playing his game of the year so far, made multiple sprints back to keep Reno off the board. Reno didn’t help themselves, missing multiple advantages as well as hitting the post once. 

Phoenix got to the half still up but Reno still controlled the match and found their equalizer in the 53rd minute. Danny Musovski was the first to a loose ball in the box and tied the match at 1. Phoenix seemed to wake up and giving up the goal and came right back 6 minutes later. A smooth combination play between Dia and freed Dia in the box and he was taken down, leaving the ref with no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Up stepped Solomon Asante and Phoenix had regained the lead.

The beer magic wasn’t done however, just 2 minutes later Lambert backheel a pass into the path of Mustapha Dumbuya, who took a shot that was blocked. Dumbuya was the first to the loose ball and made no mistake the second time to score his first Phoenix Rising goal and his first since the 2015/16 season.

Reno didn’t go away easy when they found their second, a move that sliced through the middle of Phoenix’s midfield rather too easily and Corey Hertzog slammed home the easy cross. Again, Phoenix came right back to put the match to bed. This time, it was Kevon Lambert going down in the box and up stepped Solomon Asante. Cool as a cucumber, Asante slotted his second penalty in and in that moment, became Phoenix Rising’s all-time record holder in goals, passing Chris Cortez.

Peter-lee Vassell made his Rising debut for the final ten minutes, impressing with his decision-making and ability to push forward. 

Let’s do it again next week, shall we?

MOTM: Mustapha Dumbuya had a slow start to his Phoenix Rising career but has turned it around about as first as he can run. While he brushed off praise for his performance postgame, his speed in recovery was key to slowing multiple Reno attacks and his goal was icing on the cake for the 32-year-old.

Up Next
Another $1 Beer Night is next for Rising as Sacramento Republic comes to town next Friday, 8/23. 

Scoring Summary
20′- Junior Flemmings, PHX
53′- Danny Musovski, RNO
59′- Asante, PHX
61′- Dumbuya, PHX
74′- Hertzog, RNO
79′- Asante, PHX