Phoenix Rising finds another way to win in 2-1 victory over Sacramento Republic FC. The win was their 14th straight on Beer Night, 15th straight overall, and 16th unbeaten at home.

In what seems to be a pattern for Rick Schantz, two changes were made from the previous week’s 4-2 win over Reno, replacing James Musa and AJ Cochran. It certainly wasn’t the start that we have come to expect from Phoenix as it took less than 120 seconds for Rising to go down one. Under pressure, Joe Farrell attempted to head the ball back to Lubin. However, he didn’t see Cameron Iwasa lurking and it was Iwasa who beat Lubin to the ball as the defense was left to watch the ball loop into the back of the net.

As they did week though, Phoenix Rising hit right back, this time 5 minutes later. Off a free kick he won, Junior Flemmings hit a low shot/cross toward goal, only for the foot of Juan Barahona to deflect it past an already diving goalie. Just like that, the crowd was back in the match, and the team was back on even ground.

Neither team came particularly close to another chance for the rest of the first half, although Zac Lubin was called into action a couple of times. The break though would come just a couple minutes before half off another free-kick routine. The initial ball came close to going over the end line but Lambert was able to head it back toward goal. A Sac Republic clearance only got as far as Solomon Asante, whose shot directly hit Farrell and trickled in. The goal broke the team record for goals in a season, 64, set by last year’s team.

Phoenix dominated the second half although there were few chances to show for it. Adam Jahn came close to breaking his 5 game scoreless streak off a corner but a last-ditch block off the line kept that streak going. Stoppage time had some stress added thanks to Doueugui Mala picking up his second yellow of the game but Sac Republic was of little threat with the advantage.

We here at Firebird wish we could sum up this streak, but there are few words that could accurately describe it.

Record Watch
USL Assist Record
Solomon Asante 12 (record, 16)
Goals, Team
Rising, 64 (Record, 75)
Points, Team
Rising, 56 (Record, 77)

Up Next: It’s a quick turnaround for Rising as they take a trip to the Cascadia region to take on Tacoma Defiance Tuesday. Match is at 7pm. 

Scoring Summary
2’- Iwasa, SAC
7’- Own Goal, SAC (For Phoenix)
43’- Farrell, PHX

Starting Lineups
Phoenix Rising FC
Lubin, Dumbuya, Farrell, Mala, Dumbuya, Lambert (Calistri 88’), Aguinaga (Vassall 61’), Bakero (Musa 81’), Flemmings, Jahn, Asante

Sacramento Republic FCShuttleworth, McCrary, Keinan, Taintor, Barahona, Villarreal, Partain (Skundrich 75’), Aleman (Werner 61’), Iwasa, Formella (Bijev, 57), Enevolsen