Phoenix Rising welcomed Oakland Roots to 38th St./Washington on Saturday night.
Going into Saturday night’s fray, Rising had failed to score a goal in either of their first two matches, losing 1-0 to Birmingham Legion on March 8 and falling to Monterey Bay by the same score on March 16.
Rising forward Dariusz Formella would be facing his former side, having been traded from Oakland last July.
Danny Stone was looking to get his first win as head coach and Phoenix came out hungry after a shaky start to the season.
They dominated the possession in the first half and dictated the game.
Phoenix put heavy pressure on Oakland, forcing Roots keeper Paul Blanchette to make a diving save in the 32nd minute, after a massive mistake left Formella with an open goal.
Phoenix made chance after chance, and early in the second half, Juan Azocar crossed the ball into the box to Panos Armenakas, who slotted it into the back of the net for his, and the team’s, first goal of the season.
“I feel really good,” said Azocar after the game. “Thanks to God for the result and the way we won the game. I think our second game (of the season) was just a bad game all around and but then we came home today, we changed the result and I think this is the start of something for the team.”
As for Oakland, they struggled all match, not even getting a single shot on target against Rising.
The cylinders were clicking all around for Phoenix. The offense created six shots on goal, while the defense did not let any attack slip through the cracks.
“Delighted for the players. That’s the first… that’s the first and foremost emotion that I feel right now,” Stone told reporters after the game. “We’ll celebrate that for the moment but, to be honest with you, it doesn’t change anything we will do next week, as last week didn’t change anything we did this week.”
The fans played a big role, as they were loud and showed passion against Oakland.
Armenakas, who scored the only goal of the game, was pleased by the team effort, and the emotion shown by the fans.
“I think for us it’s all about mentality,” Armenakas said. “We know we have the players to do it. If we can be aggressive defensively, we have the quality on the ball but, I think for us, it starts defensively as a team. When we’re aggressive and we set the tempo and we get the fans behind us, especially at home, you feel that, and you can feel the momentum.”
Rising will see action next on March 30, when they host New Mexico United at Phoenix Rising Stadium.
