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
