Rising dropped three points at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Saturday night, falling 3-0 to Oakland Roots SC. Oakland struck twice inside the opening 25 minutes to take a 2-0 lead into halftime before adding a third goal just after the 70th minute. Despite trailing, Rising controlled much of the possession throughout the match, holding nearly 70% of the ball and outshooting Oakland 12-10. Rising created opportunities but was unable to find the back of the net as Oakland held on for the shutout.
“I think we started the game slowly. You take two goals in the first period…to come back is tough for us,” Moursou said. “I think it’s not finished. We need to give it our all again, it’s the remaining four games to give.”
Rising remains on the road to travel to face its rivals at New Mexico United. New Mexico is currently sitting at second in the Western Conference standings behind El Paso with 43 points. The match will be streamed on 3TV/AZFS and ESPN+ on Sunday (10.04).
STATISTICALLY STRONG
Despite the 3-0 result, Rising’s performance told a different story. Phoenix controlled nearly 70% of possession, outshot Oakland 12-10 and generated significantly more attacking pressure, including 43 entries into the penalty area and 24 touches in the opposition box compared to Oakland’s 10 and nine. Rising also hit the frame and forced five saves from Oakland, but couldn’t convert its chances.
“We lost the game, we need to go back and work hard to come again, to give a good game,” Moursou said. “You know, it’s four games remaining, you need to give it all for the four games. You need to get back to work, to see what is not working like today.”
GOAL-SCORING PLAYS
OAK- BRUNO LAPA, 7: Through ball from the top of the 18-yard-box by Jesús de Vicente to the left foot of Lapa who shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner.
OAK- DANNY TREJO, 22: Cross in from the left side of the pitch from Bertin Jacquesson to the right foot of Trejo from the center of the box to the bottom right corner.
OAK- BERTIN JACQUESSON, 71: Breaking left footed cross from Jesús de Vicente to the right foot of Jacquesson to the center of the box to the bottom right corner.
NOTES
- This is the third meeting of the two sides this season (0-1-1)
- Across all competitions, Rising holds the advantage in the all-time series at 5-3-6.
- Ascel Essengue has attempted 94 passes in this game – it’s the second time this season that a Phoenix Rising player has attempted 90 passes or more in a single match in the USL Championship and more than any other player in this game.
- Phoenix Rising have attempted 572 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the USL Championship this season.
- Tate Schmitt was the Phoenix Rising Player with the Most Passes Ending in the Final Third with 20.
- Ihsan Sacko has attempted 69 shots this season, the joint-highest total in the USL Championship.
Phoenix Rising (8-8-9, 33 pts) vs. Oakland Roots SC (7-9-9, 30 pts)
Goals by Half: 1st – 2; 2nd – 1; FT – 3
Phoenix Rising: 1st – 0; 2nd – 0; FT – 0
Oakland Roots: 1st – 2; 2nd – 1; FT – 3
Scoring Summary:
OAK: LAPA (JESÚS DE VINCENTE), 7
OAK: TREJO (JACKUESSON), 22
OAK: JACKUESSON (JESÚS DE VINCENTE), 71
Misconduct Summary:
PHX: FLORES, (caution); 30
PHX: SCHMITT, (caution); 92
Lineups:
PHX: GK Rakovsky, D Schmitt, D Boye, D Essengue (Pelayo, 77), D Smith (Arase, 64), M Moursou, D Flores (Badji, 45), M Gómez (Ambursely, 82), F Torres (Rivera, 77), F Sacko
Substitutes Not Used: GK Odunze, M Avayevu
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 15; OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 5
OAK: GK McIntosh, D Jesús de Vicente, D García, D Edwards, D Fisher, M Prentice (Stone, 93), M Gibson, M Byaruhanga, M Jacquesson (Lepley, 82), F Trejo (Lopez, 91), F Lapa (McCabe, 67)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Escobar, D Tingey, D Bravo, D Arana, M Valot
TOTAL SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 9; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 2
Referee: Edson Carvajal
Assistant Referees: Peter Hanson, Aleh Maslianka
Fourth Official: Kevin Lewis
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
