Phoenix Rising and New Mexico United clashed again Saturday night at 38th St/Washington, and oh boy was it feisty.
Following their win over Oakland, Rising looked to improve with another win, however, United stood in their way.
The last time these two met it ended 2-1, with a victory for United.
Right off the opening whistle, United attacked and put heavy pressure on Rising, but Phoenix made chances of their own.
However, it didn’t stop United, and after consistent pressure and a counterattack, United’s Dayton Harris scored the opener.
“I didn’t feel like we found ourselves in the game enough,” said Rising head coach, Danny Stone. “Possession particularly, we didn’t play well enough. You know we competed, we pushed, in the second half and try to drive the game in the second half, but level of effectiveness with the ball…we didn’t—we pushed, and there was effort, and trying to drive the game, but the quality was not good enough.”
It seemed as if both teams were waiting for the other to pounce, as each heavy collision heightened the tension.
Five minutes were added in the first half alone, with three yellow cards in the first half, one of which went towards Rising.
United started the match strong, but Phoenix adjusted well.
In the 58th minute, Rising fans were dismayed when defender Pape Boye conceded a penalty after a handball in the box. However, goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo saved the Greg Hurst penalty kick, keeping Rising’s hopes alive.
Both teams continued to fight for a goal, Phoenix to tie it, and United to put it out of reach.
Rising showed a lot of fire, but that passion cost them four yellow cards.
In the end, 12 minutes were added to stoppage time, as Rising and United players exchanged words and it got more heated after questionable calls and a possible diving incident.
However, in the 99th minute, the tension boiled over, as a scrap between Rising and United players began near both benches and the fourth officials. Players from both teams rushed to break it up, but it was clear that words had been exchanged.
Phoenix made chance after chance to try and tie the game, but it wasn’t enough, and New Mexico wound up with the win 1-0.
“I think today was—it was just some individual moments,” Stone said. “I don’t think it’s something from a system point of view, I mean we changed the system a couple of times in the game, and we had the same struggle in each area. So, I think just more—we have to ask more of ourselves individually and every player has to be at their best.”
Phoenix will be in action next when they travel to ONEOK Field in Tulsa next Saturday.
