April 22, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Phoenix Rising FC News Release
Phoenix Rising FC’s Danny Trejo in action
(Phoenix Rising FC)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Phoenix Rising FC (1-1-4) earned a point on the road in a 1-1 with the defending USL Champions despite playing a man down for the final 30 minutes of the match tonight at Toyota Field.
Danny Trejo scored the lone goal for Phoenix, which is back at 38th St/Washington this Saturday, April 29 (7:30 p.m.) vs. Loudoun United. Join Rising to celebrate Superhero Night, including a police vs. firefighter match pregame (6 p.m.). Tickets for that match are still available here or by calling 623-594-9606.
Tonight, Rocco Rios Novo was called upon early and answered in the seventh minute, getting down to his left side to make a diving save on Nikolaj Hansen.
Rising weathered the storm, fighting off pressure from San Antonio for the majority of the first half, but despite conceding four shots, Phoenix’s back line did not allow another shot on goal until stoppage time of the first half.
Rising gained its bearings and pushed the ball wide to the right in the 44th minute. There, Henry “Uzo” Uzochukwu went by his man and centered a ball at the top of the box. Eddie Munjoma took the pass and slipped the ball to his left for Danny Trejo. Looking for his third goal of the season, Trejo took a shot with his first touch, but San Antonio goalkeeper Jordan Farr made a diving save, low to his right to keep the match tied, 0-0, heading into halftime.
Phoenix came out of halftime a different team, creating two chances and capitalizing on the second in the 49th minute. Uzo set up the goal, running at his defender and crossing a low ball into the area for Trejo. The forward feinted inside before letting the ball roll towards the outside and striking a low shot just inside the far post to make it 1-0.
San Antonio answered in the 51st minute, knocking the ball around until Jacori Hayes had a great look from the top of the area. Hayes tried to beat Novo high, but the goalkeeper leapt backwards and pushed the chance over the bar.
Referee Sergii Demianchuk awarded San Antonio a penalty kick after Cristian Parano went to ground in the left side of the area in the 56th minute. Demianchuk also showed Harvey his second caution of the match, forcing Rising to play down a man for the remaining 30 minutes of play. Parano opted to take the penalty sneaking a shot down the middle, just behind Novo, to make it 1-1.
San Antonio…