MONTEREY BAY, California (Saturday, July 29) – Phoenix Rising FC (7-5-8 ) defeated Monterey Bay FC (7-9-6), 2-0, tonight at Cardinale Stadium for Rising’s fourth away win of the season, already exceeding last season’s away win total.
Rising won the game thanks to goals from Manuel Arteaga and Danny Trejo in the first half, and were kept in the game by an excellent goalkeeping performance by Rocco Rios Novo, who saved a penalty in the second half.
Rising play San Antonio FC at 38th St/Washington next Saturday, August 5 for 90s Night. Tickets for that match are available here or by calling 623-594-9606
Christian Volesky came close to opening the scoring with a header in the 8th minute after some sustained pressure from Monterey Bay, but it was expertly saved by Rios Novo.
Rios Novo was called into action again in the 11th minute. Monterey Bay countered quickly, and the ball fell to Dawkins on the edge of the box, but his shot was easily saved.
Rising nearly opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Manuel Arteaga. Henry Uzochukwu won the ball high up the pitch and passed it to Panos Armenakas, whose shot was deflected to Arteaga’s in the box. Arteaga hit the ball hard at the near post but his shot rattled off the upright.
Arteaga redeemed his miss a minute later. Henry Uzochokwu passed the ball to Carlos Harvey on the edge of the box, who bundled it past a defender, dribbled towards the keeper and then squared the ball to Arteaga, who smashed the ball into the net for his 11th goal of the season.
Rios Novo made another stunning save in the 32nd minute. Adrian Rebollar won the ball high up the pitch after a corner, and after several passes it came to Alex Dixon on the edge of the box, but his curving shot was excellently saved. Hugh Roberts II had a free header from the resulting corner but it went wide.
Danny Trejo added a second in the 47th minute. Armenakas found Trejo with an exquisite through ball, who ran ahead of two defenders and calmly finished past the onrushing Anthony Siaha to record his ninth goal of the season.
Monterey Bay were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute when Zambrano was judged to have fouled Alex Dixon. Rios Novo came to the rescue and saved Sam Gleadle’s penalty low to his right.
Rising pushed for a third as the second half went on. In the 60th minute Rios Novo found Darnell King with a long goal kick, who tried to square the ball to Trejo, but the ball was cleared just before reaching him. Monterey Bay countered quickly, and worked the ball to Alex Dixon on the left flank, whose cross was headed clear.
New man Darek Formella was brought on in the 79th minute for his debut and he nearly made an instant impact. He was put through on goal by Eddie Munjoma, but his shot was saved by Siaha.
Scoring:
PHX – Manuel Arteaga (Carlos Harvey) 23
PHX – Danny Trejo (Panos Armenakas) 47
Discipline:
MB – Sean Okoli (caution) 74
PHX – Mo Traore (caution) 86
Lineups:
Phoenix Rising FC – Rocco Rios Novo, Daniel Krutzen (Jose Hernandez 38), Alejandro Fuenmayor, Darnell King, Henry Uzochukwu (Emil Cuello 88), Eddie Munjoma, Carlos Harvey, Renzo Zambrano, Panos Armenakas (Fede Varela 88), Danny Trejo (Mo Traore 79), Manuel Arteaga (Darek Formella 79)
Substitutes Not Used: Patrick Rakovsky, Erickson Gallardo
Monterey Bay – Anthony Siaha, Morey Doner, Kai Greene, Hugh Roberts II, Grant Robinson, Adrian Rebollar (Sam Gleadle 46), Mobi Fehr, Simon Dawkins (Walmer Martinez 71), Alex Dixon, Christian Volesky (Sean Okoli 62), Chase Boone (Jesse Maldonado 78)
Substitutes Not Used: Alejando Lara, Nevolo Yoseke, Carlos Herrera
