Phoenix Rising FC celebrate a goal by Santi Moar against Sacramento Republic FC in a 1-0 win at Heart Health Park on May 29, 2021. (Owain Evans Photo)
For the first time in the club’s history, Phoenix Rising FC beat Sacramento Republic FC on the road.
In fact, PRFC’s 1-0 win at Heart Health Park was the first goal Rising has scored in Sacramento since 2014, when Phoenix was Arizona United SC.
“The win is fantastic, but more importantly, we showed that we can take to the streets and fight the games and we were tough,” said manager Rick Schantz Owain Evans of the club’s first road win of the year. “I thought the guys respect the game plan, they trust us.
“But most importantly, get there and defend as well as you for 25 minutes – (James) Musa was superb. And I think the way he controlled the pace of the game for us – that’s a great sign because those kinds of wins will get you first place at the end of the year if you have to fight for them. Instead of getting just one point, getting three on the road is incredible. “
It was another solid defensive effort from Phoenix Rising – if the team’s first goal in the 2021 USL championship campaign didn’t tell you that.
For the fourth time in PRFC’s five games this season, the club did not allow a shot on goal in the first half. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Sac Republic couldn’t get a single shot on goal in the course of the 90 minutes.
“The biggest thing for me tonight is a zero on the other end,” said Schantz. “It’s been a while since we conceded a goal so I’m very proud of the guys.”
Phoenix dominated the statistics with a 13: 7 win over Sacramento (4: 0). However, Sac managed to get seven corner attempts compared to PRFCs.
The game was also extremely physical as 31 fouls – 15 of which were committed by Rising – resulted in three yellow cards for Rufat Dadashov, Santi Moar and Kevon Lambert.
Schantz made three changes to his starting XI after beating Las Vegas Lights FC 5-1 last week.
The head coach chose to start goalkeeper Ben Lundt, center-back Tobi Adewole and right-back Darnell King while GK Andre Rawls and CB Joey Farrell stayed on the bench. RB Noah Billingsley was excluded from matchday 18 after a groin injury against Las Vegas.
“I’ve had goalkeepers so good a few times in my career that I was ready to switch goalkeepers and one of them might split up as the season progresses, but I love them both,” said Schantz.
Schantz hasn’t made any changes to his top six this season. And for good reason, when left winger Santi Moar continued his strike streak with the only goal of the game in the 62nd minute.
The Spaniard has now scored in all five games Phoenix has played this season – including the last regular season game in 2020 – Moar has found the bottom in six league games in a row.
A look at Santi Moar’s fifth goal in the 2021 # USL championship campaign for #PRFC.
0-1 | #SACvPHX | #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/jQg1BHM61p
– Jake Anderson (@ jwa1994) May 30, 2021
Two other players in Schantz’s top six are captain Solomon Asante and midfielder Kevon Lambert, both of whom made their 93rd career appearances for PRFC on Saturday night, overtaking goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski for most international matches
in the club’s history.
The win gives Phoenix 12 out of 15 in the first month of the season and keeps PRFC at the top of both the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.
“A 1-0 win isn’t necessarily a statement, but I think just four wins out of five and being at the top of the table and now creating space between the teams that are chasing us – I think that speaks for itself,” said Musa to Evans.
“We’re glad we came here and got what we wanted. Now the rest of the group is under pressure to catch up.”
NEXT
Phoenix Rising returns home to host the San Diego Loyal SC on June 5th, when the new stadium at Wild Horse Pass will be 100% occupied for the first time.
The starting gun will be fired at 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed live on ArizonaSports.com and the Arizona Sports app.
Follow @ jwa1994
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