After a 2 1/2-hour rain delay to start the game, Phoenix Rising’s season came to an end following a 2-0 loss to New Mexico United in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Rising conceded early, with Greg Hurst finding the back of the net inside the opening 10 minutes before Jake LaCava doubled United’s lead shortly after halftime. Despite the early deficit, the match took another turn as Rising was forced to navigate the closing stages with just nine players on the field following two red cards, facing a battle against United’s 11.
“I feel like we had a good game plan, gave up a goal early, which is never a good place to start,” Biasi said. “I feel like we had moments. I feel like we played well and obviously the red cards didn’t help. Just trying to keep our head up in those moments and go execute.”
Rising ends its season with a 10-11-10 overall record, 7-3-5 at home and 3-8-5 away.
BATTLE UNTIL THE END
Despite the result, Phoenix Rising continued to generate attacking opportunities throughout the match, finishing with 14 shots compared to New Mexico United’s 12. Rising also recorded 10 shots from inside the penalty area and finished with 1.48 expected goals, just shy of United’s 1.66. Even after being reduced to nine players following two red cards, Rising continued to push forward and look for opportunities to get back into the match, never showing signs of giving up.
“I think we showed moments of what we’re made of and what we’re capable of. Qualifying for the playoffs as a group speaks to the resilience we have and the level we’re capable of playing at,” Biasi said. “Obviously, we didn’t finish the way we wanted to, but through all the ups and downs of the season, I think we showed what this group can accomplish. I truly believe we had a chance to go all the way.”
GOAL-SCORING PLAYS
NM- GREG HURST, 7: Right footed cross inside the 18-yard-box from Noël to inside the 6-yard-box, near post, to the low right side of the goal.
NM- JAKE LACAVA, 48: Right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
NOTES
- Rising holds a 7-6-2 record in the USL Championship against New Mexico United across the regular season and playoffs.
- New Mexico claimed victory in two of three meetings across the 2026 regular season and Prinx Tires USL Cup this season.
- New Mexico claimed a 2-1 win when the sides met at this stage in the playoffs two years ago.
- Phoenix Rising have attempted 18 crosses in this match, higher than their season average of 17.3 in the USL Championship.
- Phoenix Rising have had 7 players sent off in the USL Championship this season, more than any other team in the competition.
Phoenix Rising (10-10-10, 40 pts) vs. New Mexico United (15-8-7, 52 pts)
Goals by Half: 1st – 1; 2nd – 1; FT – 2
Phoenix Rising: 1st – 0; 2nd – 0; FT – 0
New Mexico United: 1st – 1; 2nd – 1; FT – 2
Attendance: 9,413
Scoring Summary:
NM: HURST (Noël), 7
NM: LACAVA, 48
Misconduct Summary:
PHX: STUDENHOFFT, (caution); 9
PHX: MOURSOU, (ejection); 52
PHX: (caution); 52
NM: (caution); 52
PHX: SCEARCE, (caution); 59
NM: LACAVA, (caution); 63
PHX: STUDENHOFFT, (ejection); 75
Lineups:
PHX: GK Odunze, D Boye (Smith, 70), D Schmitt (Torres, 69), D Biasi (Czichos, 87), D Essengue, M Gomez (Flores, 69), M Scearce, M Moursou, F Sacko, F Studenhofft, F Arase (Rivera, 60)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Rakovsky, D Pelayo
TOTAL SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 FOULS: 20; OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 4
NM: M Bailey, D Blackett, M Dennis (Harris, 78), D Gloster, D Hamalainen, F Hurst (Rennicks, 78), D Jabang, D LaCava (Howell, 67; Nava, 78)), F Noel (Wilkerson, 67), F Quiah, GK Shakes
Substitutes Not Used: GK Pannenberg, F Reid-Stephen
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 16; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 6
Referee: Muhammad Hassan
Assistant Referees: Cameron Siler, Clarence Clark
Fourth Official: Amin Hadzic
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
