PHOENIX, Arizona (Saturday, April 15) – Phoenix Rising FC (1-1-3) came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Monterey Bay at 38th St/Washington tonight.
Wearing the Captain’s armband, Kevon Lambert scored Rising’s goal in the 67th minute on a pass from Erickson Gallardo. Phoenix travels to San Antonio next Saturday, April 22 (5:30 p.m. on AZFSEN and ESPN+) before returning to Phoenix to play Loudoun United at 38th St/Washington on April 29. Tickets for that match are available here or by calling 623-594-9606.
Rising dominated possession in the opening five minutes of the match, capping off the stretch with a ball over the top from defender Daniel Krutzen to Danny Trejo. The forward brought the ball down in stride and tried to beat Monterey’s Carlos Herrera with a low shot to the near post, but the goalkeeper was alert and blocked the chance as it left Trejo’s foot.
Phoenix came close again in the 10th minute when Henry “Uzo” Uzochukwu crossed a ball from the end line to the far side of the six-yard box. Gabi Torres was there to meet the line drive pass with a header, but the ball rang off the post and was ushered away from danger by a Monterey defender.
Uzo sent in another dangerous cross in the 30th minute. Once again, A Rising player was there to win the header as Manuel Arteaga rose above the pack to nod a shot towards goal, but the chance flew just outside the post.
A third cross from Uzo in the 39th minute nearly brought the house down. The pass was well placed and dropped into the foot of Gallardo to hit on the volley. The midfielder struck it well but the dipping attempt curled just over the crossbar.
Monterey created its best chance of the match in the 60th minute when Alex Dixon combined with Morey Doner on the right side of the area. Dixon received the return pass and tried to beat Phoenix goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo low at the near post but the Argentine got down to make a diving save to his left side.
On the ensuing corner, referee Katja Koroleva pointed to the spot after Alejandro Fuenmayor collied with Monterey’s Hugh Roberts. Dixson converted the penalty kick, sending Novo to his right side and driving a hard shot low to the middle of the goal.
Rising responded immediately, pressuring Monterey, and earning a corner kick in the 67th minute. Gallardo sent in the cross from Phoenix’s left flank. Lambert used his 6’3” frame to his advantage, rising up to meet the ball and redirect it past Herrera to make it 1-1.
Scoring:
MB – Alex Dixon (PK) 63
PHX – Kevon Lambert (Erickson Gallardo) 67
Discipline:
MB – Nevello Yoseke (caution) 35
MB – Grant Robinson (caution) 66
PHX – Danny Trejo (caution) 82
Lineups:
Phoenix Rising FC – Rocco Rios Novo, Kevon Lambert, Alejandro Fuenmayor (Jose Andres Hernandez 90+2), Daniel Krutzen, Henry Uzochukwu (Eddie Munjoma 75), Carlos Harvey, Renzo Zambrano, Gabi Torres (Baboucarr Njie 52), Erickson Gallardo, Manuel Arteaga (Jackson Conway 76), Danny Trejo.
Substitutes Not Used: Patrick Rakovsky, Mo Traore, Carlos Anguiano.
Monterey Bay – Carlos Herrera, Morey Doner, Grant Robinson, Kai Greene, Hugh Roberts, Adrian Rebollar (Jason Johnson 68), Mobi Fehr, Nevello Yoseke, Sam Gleadle (Chase Boone 46), Cristian Volesky, Alex Dixon (Walmer Martinez 90+2).
Substitutes Not Used: Gerold Ngnepi, Max Glasser, Alex Lara, Jesse Maldonado.
