THREE THINGS THAT MATTERED

1. Phoenix Rising FC recorded its fifth consecutive shutout despite playing the final 55 minutes down to 10 men in a 1-0 victory against Orange County SC on Friday night. The victory moved Rising FC two points back of Real Monarchs SLC in the Western Conference standings and extended the club’s overall shutout streak to 466 minutes.

2. Rising FC goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski recorded a seven-save shutout, a single-game high for Phoenix this season, to preserve the victory after defender Kody Wakasa was sent off in the 35th minute. Orange County’s Thomas Enevoldsen – who entered tied for the league-lead with nine goals – recorded a team-high four shots for the visitors but came up empty as the visitors saw their three-game undefeated streak end.

3. Phoenix veteran Chris Cortez scored his eighth goal of the season for the lone goal of the game, which puts him one off his single-season high of nine goals for Orange County in 2013. It also marked the striker’s 40th regular-season goal of his USL career.

GAME REPORT

PHOENIX RISING FC (1), ORANGE COUNTY SC (0)

Phoenix Rising FC scored early and held on late for a 1-0 victory against Orange County SC before a sellout crowd of 7,001 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on Friday night.

Phoenix took the lead in the 13th minute as Chris Cortez struck for his eighth goal of the season with a half-volleyed finish from Kevon Lambert’s angled pass into the penalty area. Cortez almost added a second eight minutes later but was ruled offside before his volleyed finish found the net.

Rising FC was reduced to 10 men in the 35th minute, however, as Kody Wakasa was sent off after bringing down Orange County’s Michael Seaton on a breakaway just outside the penalty area. Aodhan Quinn’s effort from the ensuing free kick was saved by Phoenix goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski which allowed the hosts to take their lead to the break.

Orange County carried more of the play in the second half and created an opening in the 66th minute when Thomas Enevoldsen had his effort smothered by Woszczynski, but Phoenix also went close to adding to its lead with 11 minutes to go when Kevaughn Frater’s shot curled just wide of the left post. Woszczynski denied a pair of late Orange County chances for Seaton and Enevoldsen to record a fifth consecutive shutout, though, as Phoenix solidified its position in the Western Conference standings.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Carl Woszczynski, Phoenix Rising FC – Woszczynski recorded a season-best seven saves to preserve a fifth consecutive shutout for Rising FC despite his side being reduced to 10 men in the first half.