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Rising FC Left Deflated after Late Loss

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/30/17, 11:12AM EDT

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Changes brought positive display, only for side to leave game emptyhanded


Photo courtesy Michael Rincon / Phoenix Rising FC

PHOENIX – After a strong all-around display that saw San Antonio FC ride some good fortune and strong, Phoenix Rising FC was left deflated and emptyhanded after a 1-0 defeat at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in front of 5,463 fans.

Even more deflating was the manner in which the only goal of the game arrived, as a late penalty kick was awarded to SAFC after Rising FC goalkeeper Josh Cohen was ruled to have brought down Cesar Elizondo in the left side of the penalty area. Rafa Castillo put away the spot kick to the left side of the net, allowing the visitors to emerge with three points on only their second shot on goal of the night.

“For a player out here, you give up a PK you always run back in your head a million times that night thinking, ‘Oh, what could I have done different,’ so I’m just starting that process right now,” said Cohen. “I saw they hit a good ball in, I came out, the guy got his cleat up to it first just to poke it in the air, I set and the guy went knee first into my chest, and so I don’t know much else I could have done there.”

Rising FC had rung the changes in its starting lineup after last week’s defeat against Tulsa Roughnecks FC, and the renewed energy of the newcomers had a positive effect. Phoenix looked the sharper team in attack despite conceding more possession to San Antonio, as both Didier Drogba and Shaun Wright-Phillips forced big saves from SAFC goalkeeper Diego Restrepo in the first half.

“I have many players working hard in training, so when you lose like we lost last week against Tulsa, you have to respect the players that are performing in the training,” said Carteron. “They were waiting for the good moment, I was also waiting for the good moment for them to start. I’m really happy about what the boys did today.”

As in their previous meeting this season, however, Rising FC was unable to find a way through the staunch San Antonio defense. Arguably biggest chance of the second half came to Chris Cortez midway through as Restrepo’s punched clearance from a cross was recycled to the Rising FC forward, but Ben Newnam’s position covering for his goalkeeper proved vital as he headed the shot toward the otherwise open net wide.

Drogba also tried to pull off similar heroics as he had in Orange County earlier this month when SAFC conceded a pair of late free kicks in shooting range for the former Ivory Coast international. The first was denied by Restrepo, however, and the second flashed just over the crossbar as time ran out on the hosts.

With the side now sitting three points out of the playoff positions going into next Saturday’s game on the road against the LA Galaxy II, getting a positive result against a team that sits below it in the standings is front of mind for Carteron and his squad.

“We need the three points there for us to stay thinking about the playoffs,” said Carteron. “Our challenge at the moment is to qualify the team for the playoffs for the first time in history. We have many teams in front of us so we must keep working hard, we must be positive. Playing like this, like we did tonight, I’m sure we will have some good results in the next weeks.” 

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