PHOENIX (September 2, 2017) — Phoenix Rising FC propelled itself into the final playoff spot of the Western Conference following a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC 2. As it stands now, Phoenix Rising sits in 8th place with 33 points. The win also extends the club’s unbeaten streak to five matches.
The match remained scoreless into the 78th minute despite several scoring chances from Rising FC throughout the night. On three separate occasions, Phoenix Rising forward Chris Cortez had a would-be headed goal denied by Sounders FC 2 goalkeeper Tyler Miller.
But it was eventually a header that downed Seattle. In the 78th minute, midfielder A.J. Gray sent a diagonal cross toward the far left post. As the ball hung in the air, midfielder Amadou Dia got into position, beating his defender to the spot. He had an easy header into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Sounders FC 2 pressured Phoenix Rising the rest of the match. Seattle’s best opportunity came two minutes into stoppage time when Zach Mathers sent a curling shot toward the far right post. Rising FC goalkeeper Josh Cohen made a leaping finger-tip save to preserve the clean sheet.
Several minutes later, Phoenix Rising forward Jason Johnson beat the Sounders FC 2 goalkeeper as he tried to reach a loose ball out of the box. Johnson had nothing but open space between him and the goal and walked the ball in before smashing a shot into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
Phoenix Rising will play the final match of its three-match homestand on Wednesday, September 6 against Orange County Soccer Club. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. and fans can purchase tickets at www.www.phxrisingfc.com
Match: Phoenix Rising FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2
Date: September 2, 2017
Location: Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ
PHOENIX RISING FC 2-0 SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 2
Scoring Summary:
PHX: 78’, 19-Amadou Dia (24-A.J. Gray)
PHX: 90+4’, 14-Jason Johnson
Disciplinary Summary:
SEA: 10’, 15-Tony Alfaro (yellow)
SEA: 29’, 99-Felix Chenkam (yellow)
PHX: 43’, 7-Chris Cortez (yellow)
SEA: 83’, 21-Jordy Delem (yellow)
PRFC Starting XI: 18-Josh Cohen; 25-Victor Vasquez, 5-Peter Ramage, 33-Jordan Stewart, 3-Kody Wakasa; 27-Kevon Lambert, 4-Blair Gavin (75’, 24-A.J. Gray), 14-Jason Johnson, 29-Shaun Wright-Phillips (69’, 16-Sam Hamilton,), 17-Alessandro Riggi (68’, 19-Amadou Dia); 7-Chris Cortez
Substitutions Not Used: 55-Nolan Wirth, 2-Doueugui Mala, 23-Matthew Hurlow-Paonessa, 30-Eric Avila
PHOENIX (September 2, 2017) — Phoenix Rising FC propelled itself into the final playoff spot of the Western Conference following a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC 2. As it stands now, Phoenix Rising sits in 8th place with 33 points. The win also extends the club’s unbeaten streak to five matches.
The match remained scoreless into the 78th minute despite several scoring chances from Rising FC throughout the night. On three separate occasions, Phoenix Rising forward Chris Cortez had a would-be headed goal denied by Sounders FC 2 goalkeeper Tyler Miller.
But it was eventually a header that downed Seattle. In the 78th minute, midfielder A.J. Gray sent a diagonal cross toward the far left post. As the ball hung in the air, midfielder Amadou Dia got into position, beating his defender to the spot. He had an easy header into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Sounders FC 2 pressured Phoenix Rising the rest of the match. Seattle’s best opportunity came two minutes into stoppage time when Zach Mathers sent a curling shot toward the far right post. Rising FC goalkeeper Josh Cohen made a leaping finger-tip save to preserve the clean sheet.
Several minutes later, Phoenix Rising forward Jason Johnson beat the Sounders FC 2 goalkeeper as he tried to reach a loose ball out of the box. Johnson had nothing but open space between him and the goal and walked the ball in before smashing a shot into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
Phoenix Rising will play the final match of its three-match homestand on Wednesday, September 6 against Orange County Soccer Club. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. and fans can purchase tickets at www.www.phxrisingfc.com
Match: Phoenix Rising FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2
Date: September 2, 2017
Location: Phoenix, AZ | Scottsdale, AZ
PHOENIX RISING FC 2-0 SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 2
Scoring Summary:
PHX: 78’, 19-Amadou Dia (24-A.J. Gray)
PHX: 90+4’, 14-Jason Johnson
Disciplinary Summary:
SEA: 10’, 15-Tony Alfaro (yellow)
SEA: 29’, 99-Felix Chenkam (yellow)
PHX: 43’, 7-Chris Cortez (yellow)
SEA: 83’, 21-Jordy Delem (yellow)
PRFC Starting XI: 18-Josh Cohen; 25-Victor Vasquez, 5-Peter Ramage, 33-Jordan Stewart, 3-Kody Wakasa; 27-Kevon Lambert, 4-Blair Gavin (75’, 24-A.J. Gray), 14-Jason Johnson, 29-Shaun Wright-Phillips (69’, 16-Sam Hamilton,), 17-Alessandro Riggi (68’, 19-Amadou Dia); 7-Chris Cortez
Substitutions Not Used: 55-Nolan Wirth, 2-Doueugui Mala, 23-Matthew Hurlow-Paonessa, 30-Eric Avila
