PHOENIX (February 7, 2019) — Phoenix Rising FC found the back of the net for the first time in 2019, but the effort wasn’t enough in a 3-2 loss to MLS side Sporting KC. Trialist Lamar Neagle and midfielder Kevon Lambert netted the two goals for the club in its first preseason match of 2019 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.
With Sporting KC holding a 1-0 lead, Rising FC’s first goal was created by midfielder Solomon Asante. In the 70th minute, Asante came down the right flank and crossed up his defender to give himself enough space to send a pass into the box. Neagle met the ball in the air with a header and beat the goalkeeper to pull even.
Sporting KC goals from Graham Zusi and Tyler Freeman followed, but Lambert was there to pull the club back within one. Just under a half hour into the second 75-minute segment of the match, midfielder Joey Calistri attacked the box from the left side. He slid a pass to Lambert to beat a defender and then Lambert curls on off of the crossbar and into the net to make it 3-2.
The loss ends Phoenix Rising’s two-match unbeaten streak against MLS clubs. The team heads back to Tucson this Sunday for a showdown with New York Red Bulls at Naranja Park in Oro Valley, Ariz. (free and open to the public). Rising FC returns to the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on Saturday, February 16th, to play MLS side Real Salt Lake. Tickets for that match can be purchased at www.phxrisingfc.com.
PHOENIX RISING FC 2-3 SPORTING KC
Scoring Summary:
SKC: 56’, 7-Johnny Russell
PHX: 70’, 35-Lamar Neagle (20-Solomon Asante)
SKC: 72’, 8-Graham Zusi
SKC: ‘1, 23-Tyler Freeman
PHX: 28’, 24-Kevon Lambert (21-Joey Calistri)
Disciplinary Summary:
First PRFC Starting XI : 28-Zac Lubin; 13-Amadou Dia, 3-A.J. Cochran, 15-Joey Farrell, 24-Mustapha Dumbuya; 41-James Musa, 19-Jose Aguinaga, 23-Devin Vega, 14- Jason Johnson, 7-Junior Flemmings; 9-Adam Jahn
Second PRFC Starting XI: 28-Zac Lubin;8-Collin Fernandez, 5-Gilbert Oord, 2-Doueugui Mala, 50-Austin Ledbetter; 52-Raheem Sumersall, 24-Kevon Lambert, 30-Karsten Hanlin, 21-Joey Calistri, 20-Solomon Asante, 35-Lamar Neagle (Trialist)
PHOENIX (February 7, 2019) — Phoenix Rising FC found the back of the net for the first time in 2019, but the effort wasn’t enough in a 3-2 loss to MLS side Sporting KC. Trialist Lamar Neagle and midfielder Kevon Lambert netted the two goals for the club in its first preseason match of 2019 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.
With Sporting KC holding a 1-0 lead, Rising FC’s first goal was created by midfielder Solomon Asante. In the 70th minute, Asante came down the right flank and crossed up his defender to give himself enough space to send a pass into the box. Neagle met the ball in the air with a header and beat the goalkeeper to pull even.
Sporting KC goals from Graham Zusi and Tyler Freeman followed, but Lambert was there to pull the club back within one. Just under a half hour into the second 75-minute segment of the match, midfielder Joey Calistri attacked the box from the left side. He slid a pass to Lambert to beat a defender and then Lambert curls on off of the crossbar and into the net to make it 3-2.
The loss ends Phoenix Rising’s two-match unbeaten streak against MLS clubs. The team heads back to Tucson this Sunday for a showdown with New York Red Bulls at Naranja Park in Oro Valley, Ariz. (free and open to the public). Rising FC returns to the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on Saturday, February 16th, to play MLS side Real Salt Lake. Tickets for that match can be purchased at www.phxrisingfc.com.
PHOENIX RISING FC 2-3 SPORTING KC
Scoring Summary:
SKC: 56’, 7-Johnny Russell
PHX: 70’, 35-Lamar Neagle (20-Solomon Asante)
SKC: 72’, 8-Graham Zusi
SKC: ‘1, 23-Tyler Freeman
PHX: 28’, 24-Kevon Lambert (21-Joey Calistri)
Disciplinary Summary:
First PRFC Starting XI : 28-Zac Lubin; 13-Amadou Dia, 3-A.J. Cochran, 15-Joey Farrell, 24-Mustapha Dumbuya; 41-James Musa, 19-Jose Aguinaga, 23-Devin Vega, 14- Jason Johnson, 7-Junior Flemmings; 9-Adam Jahn
Second PRFC Starting XI: 28-Zac Lubin;8-Collin Fernandez, 5-Gilbert Oord, 2-Doueugui Mala, 50-Austin Ledbetter; 52-Raheem Sumersall, 24-Kevon Lambert, 30-Karsten Hanlin, 21-Joey Calistri, 20-Solomon Asante, 35-Lamar Neagle (Trialist)
