Photo courtesy Michael Rincon / Phoenix Rising FC
PHOENIX – Tulsa Roughnecks FC had a chance to clinch a spot in the USL Cup Playoffs on Wednesday evening, but Phoenix Rising FC finished on top in an entertaining 4-3 match in front of a crowd of 5,681 fans at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. Dider Drogba and Jason Johnson each scored two goals for the home side, which improved to 15-8-7 this campaign as Rising FC moved closer to the top four in the Western Conference. Joaquin Rivas, Juan Pablo Caffa and Christian Thierjung scored the goals for Tulsa, while Joey Calistri assisted on all three. Roughnecks FC falls to 13-13-4 this season, but the club still remains in the playoff picture, with a win on Saturday against Seattle Sounders FC 2 at ONEOK Field enough to book a place in the USL Cup Playoffs.
Scoring:
12’ – TUL – Joaquin Rivas (Joey Calistri)
14’ – TUL – Juan Pablo Caffa (Joey Calistri)
16’ – PHX – Didier Drogba (Amadou Dia)
19’ – PHX – Jason Johnson (Amadou Dia)
24’ – PHX – Didier Drogba (PK)
30’ – TUL – Christian Thierjung (Joey Calistri)
66’ – PHX – Jason Johnson
Three Things That Matter:
1. Fans who arrived early to the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex were certainly entertained, as Rising FC and Roughnecks FC each scored three goals in the opening 30 minutes of action. Tulsa took a quick 2-0 lead, but Drogba scored two goals to lead Rising FC to a 3-2 advantage. Roughnecks FC would level the match before halftime, though, as Thierjung scored the visitor’s third goal in the 30th minute.
2. Tulsa entered the evening with an opportunity to clinch a spot in the USL Cup Playoffs, but the loss keeps the club waiting to celebrate. Roughnecks FC did put up a good fight against a Phoenix side that has lost at home only three times this regular season; however, the result was not good enough to secure its spot in the postseason.
3. Phoenix had already secured its spot in the postseason before Wednesday night’s game, but the showing will no doubt give the side a confidence boost as the playoffs near. Multiple players had strong showings, but Drogba’s two-goal performance was the highlight. His contributions on the offensive end have come in handy for the club so far this season, and the club should be excited about its possibilities with an in-form Drogba leading the squad.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Didier Drogba, Phoenix Rising FC – The Ivorian striker scored two goals to help Phoenix record its 15th victory of the 2017 campaign.
Upcoming Games:
Phoenix Rising FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC – Oct. 7, 10:30 p.m. ET, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex
Tulsa Roughnecks FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Oct. 7, 8 p.m. ET, ONEOK Field
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