Photo courtesy Michael Rincon / Phoenix Rising FC
1. Phoenix Rising FC overcame a slugging first half to get a needed victory to regain second place in the Western Conference as Chris Cortez continued his strong campaign by recording his ninth goal of the season. Phoenix didn’t register a shot on goal in the first half, but quickly perked up to start the second 45 minutes and could have added to its lead with sharper finishing as Solomon Asante finished the game with four chances created.
2. S2 had the better of the first half on the road but was unable to make its chances count as it fell once again failed to add to its two points on the road this season and saw its losing streak overall reach six games. Henry Wingo had a good look at goal late in the first half to pull the trigger from 20 yards, but his finish went just high of the net, which ended up symbolizing Seattle’s night.
3. Despite high temperatures, Phoenix’s fans set a new club record with an attendance of 7.381 fans at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, continuing what has been another great season for the club in the stands. While they didn’t quite get the attacking fireworks Rising FC has produced on other occasions at home this season, they’ll have gone home happy on another good night for the club overall.
Phoenix Rising FC moved into second place in the Western Conference as it took a 1-0 victory against Seattle Sounders FC 2 before a club-record crowd of 7,381 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. After a quiet first half, Phoenix came out brightly after the halftime break and took the lead in the 56th minute when a long ball forward by James Musa was corralled by Chris Cortez, and the forward lifted his finish past advancing S2 goalkeeper Calle Brown. Rising FC almost added to its lead in the 74th minute when Kevaughn Frater’s first-time finish skipped just wide of the left post from Solomon Asante’s cross, but S2’s lack of bite in attack saw the visitors finish without a shot on goal in their 11 total shots on the night to allow Phoenix to close out the victory.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match
Chris Cortez, Phoenix Rising FC – Cortez produced the deciding goal for the hosts as part of a battling display in attack that saw Phoenix take an important home victory.
We have an opening goal!@c_cortez88 makes no mistake in front of goal.#PHXvSEA pic.twitter.com/TseRldCZ7Y
— USL (@USL) July 21, 2018
Tonight's sellout crowd is a club record 7,381!! Thank you fans for coming out in record heat to support the club! Now, let's get three points. #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/pwbpdSzhwQ
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) July 21, 2018
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