Match Recap

Phoenix (June 13, 2018) — Phoenix Rising Interim Head Coach Rick Schantz earned his first win of 2018 thanks to a brace from forward Jason Johnson in a 4-0 shutout win over Las Vegas Lights in front of 5,939 fans.

Rising FC went into the first half up 1-0 after Johnson dribbled three-fourths of the field before he faked out two defenders and calmly slid his shot by the goalkeeper in the 34th minute.

In the 53rd minute, midfielder Solomon Asante sent in a corner toward the middle of the box to defender Joey Farrell who outleapt his defender and put a header into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Phoenix Rising continued its offensive ambush as the second half ticked away. Johnson gave the fans another highlight-worthy goal when he beat a defender in the midfield before dribbling it all the way into the 18-yard box. He dribbled around another three defenders for good measure before sending his shot into the back right corner of the net to make it 3-0 in the 76th minute.

Asante added a penalty kick in the 90th+ minute to make it 4-0.

The shutout marks back to back shutouts for Rising and goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski.

Rising FC returns home this Saturday for a showdown with Tulsa Roughnecks FC. That match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and the first 2,-000 fans will receive a stainless steel water bottle courtesy of Arizona Federal. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.phxrisingfc.com

looks to keep the persistency this Saturday, June 16, against Tulsa Roughnecks at home. The match will kickoff at 7:30 pm. 

Phoenix (June 13, 2018) — Phoenix Rising Interim Head Coach Rick Schantz earned his first win of 2018 thanks to a brace from forward Jason Johnson in a 4-0 shutout win over Las Vegas Lights in front of 5,939 fans.

Rising FC went into the first half up 1-0 after Johnson dribbled three-fourths of the field before he faked out two defenders and calmly slid his shot by the goalkeeper in the 34th minute.

In the 53rd minute, midfielder Solomon Asante sent in a corner toward the middle of the box to defender Joey Farrell who outleapt his defender and put a header into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Phoenix Rising continued its offensive ambush as the second half ticked away. Johnson gave the fans another highlight-worthy goal when he beat a defender in the midfield before dribbling it all the way into the 18-yard box. He dribbled around another three defenders for good measure before sending his shot into the back right corner of the net to make it 3-0 in the 76th minute.

Asante added a penalty kick in the 90th+ minute to make it 4-0.

The shutout marks back to back shutouts for Rising and goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski.

Rising FC returns home this Saturday for a showdown with Tulsa Roughnecks FC. That match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and the first 2,-000 fans will receive a stainless steel water bottle courtesy of Arizona Federal. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.phxrisingfc.com

looks to keep the persistency this Saturday, June 16, against Tulsa Roughnecks at home. The match will kickoff at 7:30 pm. 

(June 9, 2018) — Phoenix Rising FC ended its three-match road swing with a point after a 0-0 draw at Sacramento Republic FC.

Neither team had many chances during the match, but both clubs painfully failed to convert on their best opportunity.

Sacramento’s best chance at a goal came near the end of the first half after they were awarded a penalty. Jeremy Hall took the penalty, but his attempt sailed over the bar.

Phoenix Rising’s best chance came in the 69th minute. Forward Jason Johnson found himself near the top left corner of the penalty area with the ball and plenty of space. After taking a couple of touches, he unleashed a curling a shot that went off the far left post.


Midfielder Gladson Awako had a couple of scoring opportunities of his own. The first and best chance came in the 18th minute of the match when Awako streaked up the middle of the box toward Sacramento goalkeeper Josh Cohen after a beautifully slotted ball from running mate Solomon Asante. But Cohen stopped Awako on the one-on-one encounter as Asante tried going low with his shot.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Awako tried beating Cohen to the near right post with a rifle of a shot, but Cohen denied him for a second time. 


Phoenix Rising returns home for two matches over the next week. The club squares off against Las Vegas Lights FC for the first time ever on Wednesday. Kickoff is at 7:30 pm and it will be $1 beer night. Fans with valid college IDs will also get a complimentary ticket.


The club kicks off against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday. That match kicks off at 7:30 pm and the first 2,000 fans will receive a stainless steel water bottle courtesy of Arizona Federal.


Tickets to both matches are available at www.phxrisingfc.com

(June 9, 2018) — Phoenix Rising FC ended its three-match road swing with a point after a 0-0 draw at Sacramento Republic FC.

Neither team had many chances during the match, but both clubs painfully failed to convert on their best opportunity.

Sacramento’s best chance at a goal came near the end of the first half after they were awarded a penalty. Jeremy Hall took the penalty, but his attempt sailed over the bar.

Phoenix Rising’s best chance came in the 69th minute. Forward Jason Johnson found himself near the top left corner of the penalty area with the ball and plenty of space. After taking a couple of touches, he unleashed a curling a shot that went off the far left post.


Midfielder Gladson Awako had a couple of scoring opportunities of his own. The first and best chance came in the 18th minute of the match when Awako streaked up the middle of the box toward Sacramento goalkeeper Josh Cohen after a beautifully slotted ball from running mate Solomon Asante. But Cohen stopped Awako on the one-on-one encounter as Asante tried going low with his shot.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Awako tried beating Cohen to the near right post with a rifle of a shot, but Cohen denied him for a second time. 


Phoenix Rising returns home for two matches over the next week. The club squares off against Las Vegas Lights FC for the first time ever on Wednesday. Kickoff is at 7:30 pm and it will be $1 beer night. Fans with valid college IDs will also get a complimentary ticket.


The club kicks off against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday. That match kicks off at 7:30 pm and the first 2,000 fans will receive a stainless steel water bottle courtesy of Arizona Federal.


Tickets to both matches are available at www.phxrisingfc.com

Phoenix Rising got back into the win column with a complete 3-1 win over Saint Louis FC on the road. The win marks head coach Patrice Carteron's 20th-career win with the club, tying the club record for most wins for a head coach.

Forward Chris Cortez opened the match's scoring in the 6th minute when he hit a blast from about 25 yards away from the net to make it 1-0. It was his team-leading sixth goal of the season. The goal was featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 as the number 6 play of the night.

Four minutes into the second half, Solomon Asante doubled Phoenix Rising's lead when he struck a 20+ yard free kick into the top left corner of the goal to make it 2-0.

Forward Jason Johnson finished the club's scoring in the 68th minute, beating the goalkeeper by sliding his shot inside the far right post to make it 3-0 after a clinical build up that featured nine passes.

Saint Louis's Seth Rudolph added a goal to cut the lead to 3-1 in the 74th minute, but it wasn't enough to stoke a comeback for the home side.

Phoenix Rising finishes its three-match road trip on Saturday, June 9, in Sacramento against Western Conference rival Sacramento Republic FC. That match is scheduled to kickoff at 8 p.m.

Phoenix Rising got back into the win column with a complete 3-1 win over Saint Louis FC on the road. The win marks head coach Patrice Carteron’s 20th-career win with the club, tying the club record for most wins for a head coach.

Forward Chris Cortez opened the match’s scoring in the 6th minute when he hit a blast from about 25 yards away from the net to make it 1-0. It was his team-leading sixth goal of the season. The goal was featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 as the number 6 play of the night.

Four minutes into the second half, Solomon Asante doubled Phoenix Rising’s lead when he struck a 20+ yard free kick into the top left corner of the goal to make it 2-0.

Forward Jason Johnson finished the club’s scoring in the 68th minute, beating the goalkeeper by sliding his shot inside the far right post to make it 3-0 after a clinical build up that featured nine passes.

Saint Louis’s Seth Rudolph added a goal to cut the lead to 3-1 in the 74th minute, but it wasn’t enough to stoke a comeback for the home side.

Phoenix Rising finishes its three-match road trip on Saturday, June 9, in Sacramento against Western Conference rival Sacramento Republic FC. That match is scheduled to kickoff at 8 p.m.

Phoenix Rising began its three-match road trip with a tough 1-0 loss to Swope Park Rangers at Children’s Mercy Park. It was the first time in six meetings between the clubs that Swope Park won in regulation.

Phoenix Rising fell into a one-goal deficit just four minutes into the match after goalkeeper Zac Lubin lost his handle on a loose ball in the box. Swope Park’s Hadji Barry jumped on the opportunity and scored to make it 1-0.

Rising FC had its chances to score throughout the rest of the match. The first opportunity came just seven minutes after kickoff when midfielder Solomon Asante ripped a shot from the right side of the top of the box, but his chance went wide right. Just two minutes later, forward Jason Johnson got space inside the box but sent a shot wide right.

In the 37th minute, Asante had another chance from just outside of the box, but he was denied by the goalkeeper. Five minutes later, Kevaughn Frater got in behind the defense and was one on one with the goalkeeper before getting denied with a kick save.

Phoenix Rising’s got one more good scoring chance in the match. In the 61st minute, Johnson was on the receiving end of a diagonal cross toward the far right post. The forward got his foot on the ball and sent it toward the target but Swope Park’s Adrian Zendejas denied him.

Phoenix Rising remains on the road as they travel to Saint Louis for the club’s next match on May 30. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

SWOPE PARK RANGERS 1-0 PHOENIX RISING FC

Scoring Summary:
SPR: 4', 92-Hadji Barry

Discipline Summary:
PHX: 30', 13-Amadou Dia (yellow)
SPR: 49', 2-Amer Didic (yellow)
PHX: 57', 14-Jason Johnson (yellow)
SPR: 78', 1-Adrian Zendejas (yellow)

Starting XI : 28-Zac Lubin; 32-Devante Dubose (69' 17-Alessandro Riggi), 13-Amadou Dia, 2-Doueugui Mala, 4-Micahel da Donte; 27-Kevon Lambert, 20-Solomon Asante, 41-James Musa, 14-Jason Johnson; 51-Kevaughn Fratern*69', 23-Devin Vega), 9-Chris Cortez (78', 10-Gladson Awako)

Substitutes not used: 1-Carl Woszczynski, 15-Joey Farrell, 3-Kody Wakasa, 21-Luca Ricci,
 

Phoenix Rising began its three-match road trip with a tough 1-0 loss to Swope Park Rangers at Children’s Mercy Park. It was the first time in six meetings between the clubs that Swope Park won in regulation.

Phoenix Rising fell into a one-goal deficit just four minutes into the match after goalkeeper Zac Lubin lost his handle on a loose ball in the box. Swope Park’s Hadji Barry jumped on the opportunity and scored to make it 1-0.

Rising FC had its chances to score throughout the rest of the match. The first opportunity came just seven minutes after kickoff when midfielder Solomon Asante ripped a shot from the right side of the top of the box, but his chance went wide right. Just two minutes later, forward Jason Johnson got space inside the box but sent a shot wide right.

In the 37th minute, Asante had another chance from just outside of the box, but he was denied by the goalkeeper. Five minutes later, Kevaughn Frater got in behind the defense and was one on one with the goalkeeper before getting denied with a kick save.

Phoenix Rising’s got one more good scoring chance in the match. In the 61st minute, Johnson was on the receiving end of a diagonal cross toward the far right post. The forward got his foot on the ball and sent it toward the target but Swope Park’s Adrian Zendejas denied him.

Phoenix Rising remains on the road as they travel to Saint Louis for the club’s next match on May 30. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

SWOPE PARK RANGERS 1-0 PHOENIX RISING FC

Scoring Summary:
SPR: 4′, 92-Hadji Barry

Discipline Summary:
PHX: 30′, 13-Amadou Dia (yellow)
SPR: 49′, 2-Amer Didic (yellow)
PHX: 57′, 14-Jason Johnson (yellow)
SPR: 78′, 1-Adrian Zendejas (yellow)

Starting XI : 28-Zac Lubin; 32-Devante Dubose (69′ 17-Alessandro Riggi), 13-Amadou Dia, 2-Doueugui Mala, 4-Micahel da Donte; 27-Kevon Lambert, 20-Solomon Asante, 41-James Musa, 14-Jason Johnson; 51-Kevaughn Fratern*69′, 23-Devin Vega), 9-Chris Cortez (78′, 10-Gladson Awako)

Substitutes not used: 1-Carl Woszczynski, 15-Joey Farrell, 3-Kody Wakasa, 21-Luca Ricci,
 

CHANLDER, Ariz. (May 16, 2018) — Phoenix Rising FC controlled much of the possession and created more shots and chances on net but it wasn't enough as Rising FC fell to Sporting AZ FC in penalty kicks. The loss eliminates Phoenix RIsing FC from the U.S. Open Cup. It's the second time in club history that the team has lost in its first match of the tournament.

Forward Chris Cortez scored the lone goal of the match for Rising FC. In the 64th minute, Cortez had the ball near the top of the box before turning and firing his shot into the lower right corner to make it 1-0. But just two minutes later, Sporting AZ FC drew even to make it 1-1.

The match remained deadlocked at one for the remainder of regulation and extra time.

Over the course of the first five rounds of the penalty shootout, each team missed once. In the sixth round, Sporting AZ goalkeeper Andrew Weber got in front of a Kody Wakasa shot, only to watch the ball squirt behind him and roll toward the open net. But the ball hit the post and Weber kicked it away.

Sporting AZ's  Eijin Kishimoto stepped up to the spot and calmly converted his kick for the win.

The club returns to league play Sacramento Republic FC this Saturday at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. and the first 2,500 fans who enter will receive a Car Shade courtesy of Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy and a free bottle of “Drogba’s Magic Water” courtesy of Coca-Cola and Dasani Water. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.www.phxrisingfc.com

CHANLDER, Ariz. (May 16, 2018) — Phoenix Rising FC controlled much of the possession and created more shots and chances on net but it wasn’t enough as Rising FC fell to Sporting AZ FC in penalty kicks. The loss eliminates Phoenix RIsing FC from the U.S. Open Cup. It’s the second time in club history that the team has lost in its first match of the tournament.

Forward Chris Cortez scored the lone goal of the match for Rising FC. In the 64th minute, Cortez had the ball near the top of the box before turning and firing his shot into the lower right corner to make it 1-0. But just two minutes later, Sporting AZ FC drew even to make it 1-1.

The match remained deadlocked at one for the remainder of regulation and extra time.

Over the course of the first five rounds of the penalty shootout, each team missed once. In the sixth round, Sporting AZ goalkeeper Andrew Weber got in front of a Kody Wakasa shot, only to watch the ball squirt behind him and roll toward the open net. But the ball hit the post and Weber kicked it away.

Sporting AZ’s  Eijin Kishimoto stepped up to the spot and calmly converted his kick for the win.

The club returns to league play Sacramento Republic FC this Saturday at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. and the first 2,500 fans who enter will receive a Car Shade courtesy of Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy and a free bottle of “Drogba’s Magic Water” courtesy of Coca-Cola and Dasani Water. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.www.phxrisingfc.com

Phoenix Rising finished its Oklahoma road trip in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 win over Tulsa Roughnecks FC. The win was highlighted by a spectacular 30-yard free kick from Didier Drogba in the 69th minute that has the soccer world buzzing.

Drogba opened the match's scoring early when he tapped a loose ball into the open net in the 4th minute of play. Tulsa drew even less than ten minutes later after a penalty was awarded and the Roughnecks converted from the spot. and The clubs went into the half tied 1-1.

Then Phoenix Rising stepped on the gas in the second half.

Kevon Lambert scored the go-ahead goal in the 66th minute after a shot bounced off the post and came right to his feet for an easy tap in.

Following Drogba's highlight-reel goal in the 69th minute, Kody Wakasa scored his first goal of 2018, beating the goalkeeper to the near right post to extend the lead to 4-1 thanks to a great set up by Colin Fernandez. 

Forward Chris Cortez finished off the scoring with his fourth goal of the season, a header that came off a Soloman Asante cross toward the far right side of the box. 

Phoenix Rising FC returns home Saturday, May 19, to square off with Sacramento Republic FC. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy will be giving away car shades to fans as they enter the complex. Tickets are available and can be purchased at www.PHXRsiingFC.com.

Phoenix Rising finished its Oklahoma road trip in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 win over Tulsa Roughnecks FC. The win was highlighted by a spectacular 30-yard free kick from Didier Drogba in the 69th minute that has the soccer world buzzing.

Drogba opened the match’s scoring early when he tapped a loose ball into the open net in the 4th minute of play. Tulsa drew even less than ten minutes later after a penalty was awarded and the Roughnecks converted from the spot. and The clubs went into the half tied 1-1.

Then Phoenix Rising stepped on the gas in the second half.

Kevon Lambert scored the go-ahead goal in the 66th minute after a shot bounced off the post and came right to his feet for an easy tap in.

Following Drogba’s highlight-reel goal in the 69th minute, Kody Wakasa scored his first goal of 2018, beating the goalkeeper to the near right post to extend the lead to 4-1 thanks to a great set up by Colin Fernandez. 

Forward Chris Cortez finished off the scoring with his fourth goal of the season, a header that came off a Soloman Asante cross toward the far right side of the box. 

Phoenix Rising FC returns home Saturday, May 19, to square off with Sacramento Republic FC. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy will be giving away car shades to fans as they enter the complex. Tickets are available and can be purchased at www.PHXRsiingFC.com.

Phoenix Rising FC showed off offensively and defensively in a complete 3-0 win over OKC Energy FC. Jason Johnson earned his third goal of the season to finish off the evening’s scoring and defenders Joey Farrell and Michael da Fonte each scored their first goals of 2018 each via headers on set pieces. Rising FC will remain in Oklahoma for a Saturday showdown with Tulsa Roughnecks FC.

Phoenix Rising’s first goal of the evening came off a free kick from Alessandro Riggi in the 16th minute. Riggi, who was standing to the left side of the box, sent his free kick toward the middle of the penalty area where he found Farrell. The defender headed the ball down and inside the right post to make it 1-0.

Riggi earned a second assist in the 22nd minute. He ripped a corner kick into the middle of the box where he found da Fonte in space. Da Fonte dove at the ball and smashed a header past the helpless goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

Johnson ended the evening’s scoring thanks to help from teammate Gladson Awako. The midfielder sent a looping centering pass from the left sideline toward Johnson, who chested down the ball and split the defense before firing a shot past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 Rising.

Phoenix Rising will end its two-match Oklahoma road trip in Tulsa on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

Phoenix Rising FC showed off offensively and defensively in a complete 3-0 win over OKC Energy FC. Jason Johnson earned his third goal of the season to finish off the evening’s scoring and defenders Joey Farrell and Michael da Fonte each scored their first goals of 2018 each via headers on set pieces. Rising FC will remain in Oklahoma for a Saturday showdown with Tulsa Roughnecks FC.

Phoenix Rising’s first goal of the evening came off a free kick from Alessandro Riggi in the 16th minute. Riggi, who was standing to the left side of the box, sent his free kick toward the middle of the penalty area where he found Farrell. The defender headed the ball down and inside the right post to make it 1-0.

Riggi earned a second assist in the 22nd minute. He ripped a corner kick into the middle of the box where he found da Fonte in space. Da Fonte dove at the ball and smashed a header past the helpless goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

Johnson ended the evening’s scoring thanks to help from teammate Gladson Awako. The midfielder sent a looping centering pass from the left sideline toward Johnson, who chested down the ball and split the defense before firing a shot past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 Rising.

Phoenix Rising will end its two-match Oklahoma road trip in Tulsa on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

PHOENIX (May 5, 2018) — Phoenix Rising saved the best for last again,  clawing back from a two-goal deficit to win 4-3 over LA Galaxy II in front of a sellout and record-setting crowd of 7,332.

The club went into the second half down 3-1 to a team that hadn't scored three goals all season coming into the match. But midfielder Alessandro Riggi cut the deficit to one when he scored in the 47th minute to make it 3-2.

Nearly a half hour later, Rising FC equalized with some help from forward Didier Drogba. In the 71st minute, Drogba fired a corner toward the near-left post. Forward Jason Johnson outlept his defender and beat the goalkeeper to make it 3-3.

The match didn't stay tied much longer. Seven minutes later, following a Los Dos penalty, Drogba converted on his penalty kick to complete the comebak and give Phoenix Rising the 4-3 win.

Phoenix Rising will go on a two-match road trip against OKC Energy FC and Tulsa Roughnecks FC. Their first match of the road trip takes place Wednesday, May 9, against OKC Energy FC. That match kicks off at 5:00 p.m.

PHOENIX (May 5, 2018) — Phoenix Rising saved the best for last again,  clawing back from a two-goal deficit to win 4-3 over LA Galaxy II in front of a sellout and record-setting crowd of 7,332.

The club went into the second half down 3-1 to a team that hadn’t scored three goals all season coming into the match. But midfielder Alessandro Riggi cut the deficit to one when he scored in the 47th minute to make it 3-2.

Nearly a half hour later, Rising FC equalized with some help from forward Didier Drogba. In the 71st minute, Drogba fired a corner toward the near-left post. Forward Jason Johnson outlept his defender and beat the goalkeeper to make it 3-3.

The match didn’t stay tied much longer. Seven minutes later, following a Los Dos penalty, Drogba converted on his penalty kick to complete the comebak and give Phoenix Rising the 4-3 win.

Phoenix Rising will go on a two-match road trip against OKC Energy FC and Tulsa Roughnecks FC. Their first match of the road trip takes place Wednesday, May 9, against OKC Energy FC. That match kicks off at 5:00 p.m.

PHOENIX (April 28, 2018) — Phoenix Rising FC needed another end-of-match goal, this time from Alessandro Riggi, to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw with Fresno FC in front of 5,829 fans.

Riggi scored the equalizing goal in the 90th minute. After Mike da Fonte sent a long ball toward the box, Chris Cortez headed it towards Solomon Asante. The midfielder chested the ball down and on one touch hit a perfect ball into the box.

Riggi raced in behind his defender and got to the ball before the goalkeeper, then chipped it into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Rising FC had been playing down a man for over an hour by that point in the match. In the 26th minute, defender Amadou Dia was shown a straight red card for his tackle on a Fresno attacker. Despite being down a man, Phoenix managed to keep the score level 0-0 for the rest of half.

But Fresno took the lead quickly in the second half following a 47th-minute goal from Jemal Johnson, a lead that held until Riggi's late equalizer.

Phoenix Rising will return home on Friday, May 4, to take on Los Angeles Galaxy II at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. The match will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. The match will be a blackout night and $1 beer night, plus Carvana will be giving one fan a car. Tickets are available but selling fast. Fans can purchase tickets by heading to www.phxrisingfc.com

PHOENIX RISING FC 1-1 FRESNO FC

Scoring Summary:
FFC: 47’, 11-Jemal Johnson (18-Alex Cooper)
PHX: 90', 17-Alessandro Riggi (20-Solomon Asante)

Disciplinary Summary:
PHX: 26’, 13-Amadou Dia (red)
FFC: 26’, 5-Mickey Daly (yellow)
FFC: 45+3’, 9-Pedro Ribeiro (yellow)
PHX: 54', 2-Dougeui Mala (yellow)
FFC: 78', 15-Danny Barrera (yellow)
PHX: 82', 17-Alessandro Riggi (yellow)
FFC: 88', 17-Noah Verhoeven (yellow)

PRFC Starting XI: 1-Carl Woszczynski, 32-Devante Dubose, 13-Amadou Dia, 4-Mike da Fonte, 2-Doueugui Mala, 41-James Musa (77', 17-Alessandro Riggi), 8-Collin Fernandez, 10-Gladson Awako (77', 21-Luca Ricci), 20-Solomon Asante, 14-Jason Johnson, 7-Billy Forbes (65', 9-Chris Cortez)

Substitutions Not Used: 28-Zac Lubin, 51-Kevaughn Frater, 23-Devin Vega, 25-Victor Vasquez

PHOENIX (April 28, 2018) — Phoenix Rising FC needed another end-of-match goal, this time from Alessandro Riggi, to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw with Fresno FC in front of 5,829 fans.

Riggi scored the equalizing goal in the 90th minute. After Mike da Fonte sent a long ball toward the box, Chris Cortez headed it towards Solomon Asante. The midfielder chested the ball down and on one touch hit a perfect ball into the box.

Riggi raced in behind his defender and got to the ball before the goalkeeper, then chipped it into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Rising FC had been playing down a man for over an hour by that point in the match. In the 26th minute, defender Amadou Dia was shown a straight red card for his tackle on a Fresno attacker. Despite being down a man, Phoenix managed to keep the score level 0-0 for the rest of half.

But Fresno took the lead quickly in the second half following a 47th-minute goal from Jemal Johnson, a lead that held until Riggi’s late equalizer.

Phoenix Rising will return home on Friday, May 4, to take on Los Angeles Galaxy II at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. The match will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. The match will be a blackout night and $1 beer night, plus Carvana will be giving one fan a car. Tickets are available but selling fast. Fans can purchase tickets by heading to www.phxrisingfc.com

PHOENIX RISING FC 1-1 FRESNO FC

Scoring Summary:
FFC: 47’, 11-Jemal Johnson (18-Alex Cooper)
PHX: 90′, 17-Alessandro Riggi (20-Solomon Asante)

Disciplinary Summary:
PHX: 26’, 13-Amadou Dia (red)
FFC: 26’, 5-Mickey Daly (yellow)
FFC: 45+3’, 9-Pedro Ribeiro (yellow)
PHX: 54′, 2-Dougeui Mala (yellow)
FFC: 78′, 15-Danny Barrera (yellow)
PHX: 82′, 17-Alessandro Riggi (yellow)
FFC: 88′, 17-Noah Verhoeven (yellow)

PRFC Starting XI: 1-Carl Woszczynski, 32-Devante Dubose, 13-Amadou Dia, 4-Mike da Fonte, 2-Doueugui Mala, 41-James Musa (77′, 17-Alessandro Riggi), 8-Collin Fernandez, 10-Gladson Awako (77′, 21-Luca Ricci), 20-Solomon Asante, 14-Jason Johnson, 7-Billy Forbes (65′, 9-Chris Cortez)

Substitutions Not Used: 28-Zac Lubin, 51-Kevaughn Frater, 23-Devin Vega, 25-Victor Vasquez