PHOENIX, Arizona (Saturday, July 23) – Phoenix Rising FC picked up its second clean sheet in as many games, limiting Sacramento to two shots on goal in a 0-0 draw tonight at Wild Horse Pass.
The draw keeps Phoenix two wins out of the seventh and final playoff spot in the West with 14 games left to play. Rising now heads into its second consecutive two-match week with a 185-minute shutout streak in tact. First up for Phoenix is a key mid-week match in Oakland against Roots SC (7 p.m. on Bally Sports Arizona). Rising then returns home next Saturday, July 30, to host Colorado Switchbacks at 7:30 p.m.
Tonight, Phoenix created a 60-40 edge in possession through the first 16 minutes of the match. The best scoring chance came just after when Kevon Lambert played a long give-and-go with Baboucarr Njie down the left side. Njie struck the return pass with his first touch, hitting a low shot that narrowly missed the back post behind Sacramento goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña.
Rising continued to hold the ball and look for an opening in the 23rd minute when Greg Hurst headed down a cross that was played into the area by Lamin Jawneh. Hurst put his header into the path of Richmond Antwi. The forward did well to redirect a shot on goal but unfortunately for Phoenix, it was directly at Saldaña, who caught the ball and gave up no rebound.
The trend continued in the 39th minute when Rising broke down the Republic again and Aodhan Quinn got a good look at goal from just beyond the top of the area. The left-footed strike from Quinn forced a diving save, high to the left from Saldaña, who just got enough of the shot to put it out for a corner kick.
Phoenix finished the half with a 10-2 edge in shots and a 3-1 advantage in shots on goal but could not put a ball behind Saldaña.
Sacramento’s best chance of the game just after the half when Ferrety Sousa put Luther Archimède in alone on goal. For the second match in a row, Rising goalkeeper Ben Lundt came up huge for Phoenix by denying the opponent of a breakaway attempt.
Lambert and Santi Moar nearly found the back of the net 10 minutes apart as Rising continued to press for a goal near the 65th minute.
Sacramento nearly caught Rising with a counter attack in the 75th minute but the attempt from the top of the box cracked off the crossbar and was ushered away from danger by a Phoenix defender.
Scoring:
NONE
Discipline:
SAC – Emil Cuello (caution) 35
PHX – Baboucarr Njie (caution) 39
PHX – Kevon Lambert (caution) 54
PHX – James Musa (caution) 56
PHX – Santi Moar (caution) 77
SAC – Nick Ross (caution) 85
Lineups:
Phoenix Rising FC – Ben Lundt, Baboucarr Njie, Joe Farrell, James Musa, Darnell King, Kevon Lambert, Irakoze Donasiyano, Aodhan Quinn (Luis Seijas 64), Greg Hurst (Marcus Epps 64), Richmond Antwi (Claudio Repetto 87), Lamin Jawneh (Santi Moar 46). Substitutes Not Used: Lalo Delgado, Sivert Haugli, Joey Calistri.
Sacramento Republic – Carlos Saldaña, Duke Lacroix, Santiago Suarez, Conor Donovan (Pepe Venegas 46), Ferrety Sousa, Emil Cuello, Nick Ross, Rafael Jauregui (Deshorn Brown 76), Leo Martínez (Keko 46), Luther Archimède (Maalique Foster 70), Zeiko Lewis (Viader 70).
Substitutes Not Used: Daniel Vitiello, Michaelaaron Ortez.
Rising head coach Rick Schantz
General thoughts on the match…
After a difficult game on Wednesday that was played in insane humidity, I thought our guys played extremely well tonight. Our pressing was fantastic. The defending by our forwards was very good. There were a few mistakes here and there, but we created a lot of chances. We just needed to put one away.
Overall, I am proud of the guys. They never gave up the fight. I’m happy with their attitude. It’s been positive, you can feel the positive energy around and that makes a big difference. The players understand we have to stay together and remain positive.
RECAP: Rising Draws Sacramento, 0-0
