On Saturday night, Phoenix Rising hosted Rio Grande Valley FC at Phoenix Rising Stadium at 38th st./Washington.
Phoenix entered Saturday night’s game with hopes of extending a two-game win streak, after a victory in Las Vegas last Saturday and a mid-week upset of Sacramento Republic on Wednesday.
It would also be a chance for redemption against the Toros who upset Phoenix just two weeks ago at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas.
Before fans could even settle into their seats, Rising forward, Danny Trejo would have the ball at the top of the box, taking a touch and scoring a goal in the first minute. With the goal, Trejo leads the league in the race for the Golden Boot.
Phoenix appeared relaxed and confident to start the game, attacking the Toro defense.
After a mishandled loose ball, Rio Grande Valley caught a break, but Phoenix defender, John Stenberg made a perfectly timed slide tackle to prevent the shot.
On the counterattack, Phoenix forward, Manuel Arteaga received a ball from defender Mohamed Traore, through the box and slammed it in the back of the net for Rising’s second goal of the evening.
With Kevon Lambert moving on from Rising to Salt Lake Real (MLS), Traore spoke about filling Lambert’s shoes during Saturday’s postgame press conference.
“I was so happy to get my first assist for the club. Kev (Kevon Lambert) is a big player, so to fill in his shoes, requires a lot of work, and I get a chance, so I’ve got to step up and bring my A game every time,” Traore said.
With goals from both Trejo and Arteaga, Phoenix’s dynamic duo totals 27 goals combined this season.
The sense of urgency for both teams was high to start the second half.
With a win and an Oakland Roots loss, Phoenix will be fourth in the USL Championship standings, tied with Orange County SC.
Both teams created scoring opportunities, but most attempts only resulted in turnovers.
Despite slightly cooler temperatures, Rising players were cramping and fatigue from Wednesday’s game was most likely starting to hit.
In the 78th minute, Manuel Arteaga would be subbed off and Rising fans showed their love for him, as he made his way to the sidelines.
Soon after, RGV was awarded a free kick, but Rising goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo would make the effortless save.
He would make another critical save in the 84th minute to prevent any kind of Rio Grande Valley comeback.
After the game, Rising head coach Juan Guerra spoke about Novo’s shutout, as well as defender and team captain Darnell King’s early exit due to injury.
“I’m very happy about him (Novo), I think he deserves a clean sheet. I think last game he deserved it as well, and sadly he couldn’t have it, and listen—tonight he showed his importance not just blocking shots or building out of the back. What I saw of him tonight with the character, with his voice, how he can organize people around him,” Guerra said. “After Darnell came off it was important, because Darnell is one of the bigger voices in there, he’s a leader, he’s a team captain, and he’s always constantly listening to Darnell so that was a big concern of mine when Darnell came off, is who’s gonna be that voice now, cause that voice is not on the field anymore, and I think Rocco became one of those voices,” Guerra said.
Rising will be back at 38th St/Washington to face Detroit City FC on September 16 at 7:30pm.
