PHOENIX, Arizona (August 16, 2023) – Phoenix Rising FC has transferred defender Kevon Lambert to Major League Soccer side, Real Salt Lake, pending league and federation approval, the club announced today.
“It has been a long ride, but I’ve loved every single moment,” said Lambert. “We won a lot of trophies. The players and coaches I shared the locker room with… The staff, the front office, everyone was incredible. I’ve had a lot of great memories here at Phoenix Rising. I’m going to miss it all. This is a bittersweet moment because it all went by so fast. I came here as a boy and I’m leaving here as a man. I’ve grown a lot. I’ve learned a lot. The place Phoenix Rising got me to has allowed me to go to the next level. I just want to say thank you to everyone. Thank you. I appreciate you all.”
Rising’s all-time leader in appearances with 161 across all competitions, Lambert scored 15 goals and had 10 assists while playing as a defensive midfielder and defender for the club since 2017. Lambert, 26, has led Phoenix in several defensive categories each season, helping the club claim the 2018 and 2020 Western Conference Championship as well as the 2019 Regular Season Title.
“Kev is quiet off the field, but is full of character on the pitch,” said Rising Head Coach Juan Guerra. “He protects his own. You can see he loves his teammates and the club he his is playing for, especially when he represents Jamaica. He represents everything Phoenix Rising stands for and has given back so much to the organization. We’re going to miss him. He has left such a mark in Phoenix that we now have a clear idea of the type of character we want in new players. As long as we continue to bring in players like him, we’ll be ok.”
Lambert recently returned from international duty with Jamaica during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, where the Reggae Boyz advanced to the tournament semifinals. Playing as a defensive midfielder, Lambert logged 270 minutes in four appearances, bringing his total number of international Caps to 23.
Lambert added 1,349 minutes and one goal in 15 appearances for Rising this season. One of the premier defensive midfielders in the USL Championship, Lambert ranked second in duels won during the 2022 season with 238. He was one of only eight players to surpass 200 duels won in the league overall. Lambert led Phoenix in tackles won (59) and duels won (118) in 2018 as a 21-year-old, improving those numbers each season. He has led the team in interceptions since 2019, recording a total of 260 since signing with Phoenix Rising on August 10, 2017.
Prior to joining Rising, Lambert appeared in 12 matches with Jamaican side Montego Bay United in 2016-17. He was on trial at West Ham United ahead of the 2016-17 English Premier League season.
Transaction: Phoenix Rising transfers Kevon Lambert to MLS side, Real Salt Lake
Name: Kevon Lambert
Pronunciation: Kev-in
POS: Midfielder
DOB: March 22, 1997 (26)
Hometown: Saint James Parish, Jamaica
Height: 6-3
Weight: 175
Twitter: @k_lmbrt27
Instagram: @ k_lmbrt27
About Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix Rising FC is the highest-level professional soccer franchise in Arizona history. Established in 2016, the club has won the 2020 and 2018 Western Conference Titles as well as the USL Championship’s 2019 Regular Season Title. Rising holds the record for the longest win streak in American professional soccer history (20 matches). It is owned by legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, Advantage Sports Union CEO, Alex Zheng, club chairman Berke Bakay and an impressive collection of local business leaders and international celebrities.
Phoenix Rising FC plays in the USL Championship. The ownership group announced it would be fielding a women’s team in the newly formed USL Super League in May of 2023. For season tickets or more information call 623-594-9606 or visit PHXRisingFC.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook (PHXRisingFC), Twitter (@PHXRisingFC), Instagram (@PHXRisingFC) and YouTube (PhoenixRisingFootballClub) or by downloading the Official Team App in the App Store or Google Play.
