September 3, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Phoenix Rising FC News Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – Phoenix Rising FC dropped a 1-0 decision in Colorado to Switchbacks FC tonight at Weidner Field.
The team returns to Wild Horse Pass on Saturday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m. vs. Oakland Roots.
Tonight, Rising endured a fast start from Colorado, conceding a 60-40 edge in possession through the 36th minute. Despite the advantage and Colorado producing a 9-0 lead in shots, Phoenix’s back line did not allow a single shot on goal.
Phoenix goalkeeper Ben Lundt made his first two saves of the match near the 41st minute. The saves came in quick succession following a Switchbacks’ corner kick that was played to the front post. Lundt saw the ball late and made a quick punch to his left side and cleared the ball to the top of the box. Colorado took a second attempt from there, but a gang of Phoenix defenders took most of the pace off the shot, allowing Lundt to gobble up the slow-rolling ball on the goal line.
Just before the end of the half, Darnell King was shown his second caution of the match for a foul on Michee Ngalina after Colorado played a ball over the top of Rising’s back line. Phoenix walked into halftime with a clean sheet, but would have to play the final 45 minutes a man down.
Colorado took a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute when it connected five passes in a row in Phoenix’s defensive third of the pitch. The final pass came from Hadji Barry, who found Jairo Henriquez alone at the back post. Hernandez hit a shot with his first touch, firing a shot out of the reach of Lundt to give his side a one-goal lead.
Lundt made an outstanding kick save on Michee Ngalina, who came free one-on-one in the 73rd minute. Ngalina spun his defender and walked in-alone on goal but Lundt read the attacker and stuck out his right boot to kick the chance away and keep the final, 1-0.
Scoring:
COL – Jairo Henriquez (Hadji Barry) 55
Discipline:
PHX – Darnell King (caution) 23
PHX – Darnell King (caution) 45+3
PHX – Darnell King (ejection) 45+3
PHX – Ben Lundt (caution) 47
PHX – JJ Williams (caution) 68
COL – Michee Ngalina (caution) 80
PHX – Joe Farrell (caution) 81
COL – Aaron Wheeler (caution) 89
Lineups:
Phoenix Rising FC – Ben Lundt, Baboucarr Njie, Joe Farrell, James Musa, Darnell King, Kevon Lambert, Luis Seijas (Koze Donasiyano 65), Arturo Rodriguez (Joey Calistri 46), Aodhan Quinn, Santi…