TULSA, Okla. – Phoenix Rising FC is now unbeaten in six consecutive games after earning a 5-1 victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field on Saturday. Didier Drogba got things going and shined brightest for Rising FC, capitalizing on a poor mishit clearance in front of goal in the fourth minute of action and hitting an incredible long-range free kick past Tulsa goalkeeper Fabián Cerda in the 69th minute. While Drogba put Phoenix on the scoreboard first, the team’s lead did not last long, as the Roughnecks found an equalizer in the 11th minute by way of a penalty-kick conversion from Fernando Arce. Tulsa performed well once again this season and maybe should have taken the lead on a few occasions, but Rising FC was the one to find the breakthrough once again in the 66th minute, when Kevon Lambert tapped in the ball from the goalmouth after Solomon Asante’s header bounced back into play off the right post. Rising FC took control after Lambert’s finish, as Drogba hit in his free kick three minutes later, and Kody Wakasa scored a beautiful goal after receiving a perfect pass from Collin Fernandez in the 79th minute. Chris Cortez then netted late to finish things off and earn Rising FC all three points. With the result, Phoenix improves to 6-1-3 on the year, while Tulsa falls to 0-4-5 in 2018.

• #PHXvTUL: Highlights and Opta Box Score

Scoring:

4’ – PHX – Didier Drogba
11’ – TUL – Fernando Arce (Penalty Kick)
66’ – PHX – Kevon Lambert
69’ – PHX – Didier Drogba
79’ – PHX – Kody Wakasa (Collin Fernandez)
87’ – PHX – Chris Cortez (Amadou Dia)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Didier Drogba still has it, folks. The star forward has shined on numerous occasions since joining Rising FC in 2017, and Saturday’s performance arguably was one of his best in a Phoenix shirt. Drogba had a hand in the first three goals of the game, but everyone will be talking about his sensational free kick, which was reminiscent of his free-kick strike against LA Galaxy II from a season ago.
• 2. Not only is Rising FC undefeated in its last six games, the team still has not lost a game on the road this year, posting a 4-0-1 away record thus far. Phoenix tied Orange County SC 1-1 in its season opener on March 17 before beating Reno 1868 FC, Los Dos, OKC Energy FC and now Tulsa. With a strong showing in its two-game away stretch, Rising FC will now return home for an important matchup with Sacramento Republic FC on May 19.
• 3. Kevon Lambert’s goal was the turning point of the match for the Roughnecks, who performed well up until that goal. Lambert scored from close range after a header from Solomon Asante careened off the right post towards the center of the goal in the 66th minute, and the goal proved to be controversial. Lambert appeared to be offside following Asante’s header, but center official Matthew Franz awarded the goal, and Rising FC went on to score three more times to ensure victory.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Didier Drogba, Phoenix Rising FC – The forward created seven chances and recorded two goals to lead Rising FC to its fourth road win of the season.

Upcoming Games:

Tulsa Roughnecks FC at San Antonio FC – May 19, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field

Phoenix Rising FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC – May 19, 10:30 p.m. ET, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex