August 31, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release
LEESBURG, Virginia – After an hour-long rain delay in Virginia, Phoenix Rising (7-9-8) kicked off against Loudoun United, scoring once and holding their opponent scoreless to secure all three points on the road.
Rising entered the match having held opponents scoreless in four of its last five games, while Loudoun United boasted an impressive home record, with seven of its nine wins coming at Segra Field.
The first half was played at a high pace, with Keegan Tingey recording the first shot of the match for the home side in just the fifth minute. Loudoun continued to press the Phoenix net throughout the half, forcing Rising goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo to make five saves in the first 45 minutes.
Rising opted for a more controlled and steady approach. With a quarter of an hour gone, Rising had double the final third entries compared to Loudoun and controlled 66 percent of possession. Rising also created the best chance of the half, with Tomas Angel forcing a save from Hugo Fauroux after settling the ball near the six-yard box, beating his defender, and aiming for the lower left corner. Fauroux reacted quickly, palming the shot away.
In the second half, Rising conceded some possession in favor of a more direct style of play – focusing less on working the ball from the outside in and more on breaking through the channels between defenders.
Just as he did in his home debut, Jearl Margaritha was aggressive in the attack, taking every opportunity to challenge his defender and unleash a shot on goal. In the 60th minute, after receiving a backheel pass from Emil Cuello, Margaritha nearly ended Rising’s scoring drought, but his right-footed shot went straight to Fauroux.
Finally, in the 84th minute, Rising and Margaritha found their breakthrough. The chance came immediately after Gabi Torres and Jose Hernandez entered the match, with both contributing significantly to the goal. Torres won the ball near the Rising penalty area and pushed forward, finding Hernandez near midfield. Hernandez lifted a pass over the top to Margaritha, who had Kwame Awuah isolated. Margaritha quickly cut inside and struck the ball, which deflected off a Loudoun defender and flew into the back of the net.
It had been 500 minutes since Rising last scored. With the goal finally secured, the match ended 1-0 in favor of Phoenix. Notably, it was another clean sheet for Rising, who have now held their opponents…