Written by Zoë Lam
Phoenix Rising fell 1-0 to Lexington SC in the clubs’ most recent meeting in Lexington. Despite a competitive battle, Rising was unable to find the back of the net as Lexington secured all three points on its home field. The result marked Rising’s third loss to Lexington, with the club now looking to change the narrative in the next meeting at 38th & Washington against the Colorado Switchbacks on August 19 at 7:00 p.m. (PT).
“We have to go get points. We are in a position that is not Phoenix Rising worthy,” Kah said. “That’s not the position that we want to be in. But also, it’s a time that as coaches and players, we roll up our sleeves and fight – it’s never done until it’s finished.”
REGAINING DEPTH
Phoenix Rising continues to see its squad return to full strength, with Rafael Czichos back in the squad for the first time since July 4 at Colorado Springs, adding experience and depth to the back line, while Conrad Ambursley made his first start in a Rising uniform as the club continues to integrate its younger players.
At the other end of the field, Ihsan Sacko remains one of Rising’s most consistent attacking threats, having attempted 53 shots this season, tied with JJ Williams for the most in the USL Championship. With experienced players returning, young contributors stepping into bigger roles and Sacko continuing to lead the attack, Rising is looking to gain valuable points as the season enters its final stretch.
“Pick up points. We know that we’ve got the talent and the mentality within the group to go win those two games and get six points out of it so that’s the aim for us,” Ambursley said.
PREPARING FOR A PIVOTAL TWO-GAME STRETCH
Phoenix Rising will enter its final two-game week of the season when it hosts the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on August 19 before traveling to face Sacramento Republic FC on August 22. The stretch will mark Rising’s first two-game week since June 10 and June 13.
With the club focused on turning recent draws into wins and securing valuable points in the playoff race, the match break leading into August 19 provides an important opportunity to recover, prepare and fine-tune its approach ahead of a crucial stretch that could have significant implications in the Western Conference.
“Definitely be prepared,” Ambursley said. “We’re excited to see the fans and get some well deserved rest and mentally reset ourselves to go fight again.”
GOAL-SCORING PLAYS
LEX- BRAUDÍLIO RODRIGUES, 63rd minute: Clever combination from Ferri and Rodrigues at the top of the 18-yard box turning into a right footed shot from inside the box, going into the lower left corner of the net.
NOTES
- Rising has yet to defeat Lexington in the all-time series (0-3-0)
- Conrad Ambursley makes his first start in a Phoenix Rising uniform.
- Rafael Czichos returns to the squad for the first time since July 4 (@ COS).
- Ihsan Sacko has attempted 53 shots this season, the joint-highest total in the USL Championship (alongside JJ Williams).
- Diego Gomez has the most passes ending in the final third with 13 and was 85% accurate (11/13).
- Rising failed to attempt a shot on target in this game, it’s the first time they failed to attempt a shot on target in a game since July 5th 2025.
Phoenix Rising (5-6-6, 21 pts) vs. Lexington SC (7-6-4, 25 pts)
Goals by Half 0 1 FT
Phoenix Rising 0 0 0
Lexington SC 0 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
LEX: Rodrigues, 63
Misconduct Summary:
PHX: SCEARCE, (caution); 31
PHX: BIASI, (ejection); 85
LEX: MOLLOY, (caution); 95
Lineups:
PHX: GK Rakovsky, D Flores, D Scearce, D Mar Boye (Czichos, 85), D Smith (Biasi, 68), M Gomez, M Moursou (Studenhofft, 80), M Avayevu (Dennis, 86), F Badji, F Sacko, F Ambursley (Pelayo, 68)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Odunze, M Irwin, M Rivera
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 0; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 5
LEXINGTON SC: GK Semmle, D Greene (Hafferty, 78), D Brown, D Burks, D Zengue, M Molloy, M Ferri (Tschantret, 74), M Epps, F Rodrigues, F Firmino (Scott, 59), F Goodrum
Substitutes Not Used: GK Thompson, GK Addams, D Ordóñez, D Caborn, D Muir, F Henry-Scott
TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 8; OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 0
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
Assistant Referees: Cameron Siler, Tyler Samburgh
Fourth Official: Adam Saleh
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
