On Saturday night, Phoenix Rising played host to El Paso Locomotive at 38th St./Washington.
Phoenix is coming off a tough loss last week to San Antonio, where they gave up two late goals in a frustrating match.
Both teams are hungry for wins in order to make the playoffs. Phoenix is currently ranked No. 7 in the Western Conference Standings, while Locomotive is ranked No. 8.
El Paso has lost 4 of their last 5 coming into tonight’s game.
Without key forward Manuel Arteaga, due to the red card he incurred in the game against San Antonio FC, Rising would need to rely on Danny Trejo who scored their only goal last week.
Tonight, despite an extremely slow start, Trejo eventually had a beautiful assist right through the box when defender Eddie Munjoma slammed it in the back of the net for Risings first goal in the first half.
At about the 31st minute, El Paso would get a chance when they were given a free kick just outside the box, but after a kick right to Rising goal keeper Rocco Rios Novo, the score would remain the same.
Just before half, El Paso would get caught on their heels when the Rising counterattack made their move. Midfielder Fede Varela would send an assist for Trejo who wouldn’t miss for Phoenix’s second goal of the half.
Similar to last weeks game, Rising seem to be giving their opponent opportunities, through careless mistakes, or lack of awareness.
In the 61st minute, fans and players got riled up when a rising player was tripped in the box but there was no penalty kick given.
Trejo knew coming into this game he’d have to step up — and he did.
In the 69th minute he was locked in, facing El Paso’s keeper one on one, and scored his second goal of the night giving Rising a 3-0 lead.
In the 85th minute, the officials awarded a penalty kick on a play very similar to the non call earlier in the game. Dariusz Formella was tripped inside the box, and he would convert his penalty kick for Risings’ fourth goal.
Just moments later, Gabriel Torres would get his own opportunity, when Trejo sent him an excellent assist to give Rising a 5-0 lead.
Head coach Juan Guerra was pleased with Saturday’s outcome.
“I’m very happy, I’m very happy, but I’m happy for the players, I’m happy for their families, this was a very good week of work,” Guerra said. “We said it after the last game that we were not hurt, weren’t upset, and not for a second for anyone to think that last game was gonna slow us down. Last game made us stronger, the boys picked up right where they left off in the last game. Tonight was not an easy game. Let’s not let the result confuse us. El Paso is a good team, they’re going through a turbulent moment, but at any point they’re gonna wake up.”
Trejo spoke to reporters about his performance during the post game press conference.
“Yeah I think it was a great team performance. Individually, I feel very good—I feel I’m in shape right now and in rhythm, so individual performance I’m very proud of my hard work. I expect to keep going and as a team I think it starts in the training ground—coach Juan and the training staff have done a great job in teaching us how he wants us to play and we’re just showing up and doing what he wants us to do,” Trejo said.
Rising will be on the road next week facing Rio Grande Valley FC.
