May 12, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Phoenix Rising FC News Release
SACRAMENTO, California – Phoenix Rising FC dropped a 2-0 decision on the road in Sacramento to end its 2022 U.S. Open Cup run in the Round of 32.
Phoenix returns to league play this Sunday, May 15 vs. Tampa Bay at Wild Horse Pass. That match, which is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m., will air nationally on ESPN2.
Tonight, Phoenix controlled the match from the onset, creating chances and looking like the team that would advance to the tournament quarterfinals for the first time in club history, but it was Sacramento that went ahead, 1-0, in the 30th minute following a corner kick. After the ball was swung in from the Republic’s right flank, the ball was half-cleared to the top of the area, where Sacramento’s Matt LaGrassa trapped the ball and slid a pass inside the top left corner of the area to Luis Felipe. Felipe had time to pick his head up and beat Rising goalkeeper Ben Lundt with a low shot to the back post.
Five minutes later, Carlos Angiuano swung in a corner kick for Rising that was won by Marcus Epps at the back post. Epps’ header beat Sacramento goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, but caught the underside of the crossbar, bounced up but not over the goal line and was cleared away by a Republic defender.
In the 42nd minute, Arturo Rodriguez swerved through three Sacramento defenders on a 40-yard, winding run through the center of the park. Rodriguez cut inside one final defender as he entered the box and was brought down by a Republic defender, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Greg Hurst, who recorded a brace last match, stepped up to take the kick, but was denied by Vitiello. The goalkeeper made a diving stop to his right side and then popped back up and used his chest to deny Hurst of a rebound opportunity.
Rodriguez also created the best chance of the second half in the 83rd minute. The Mexican midfielder launched a rocket from beyond the area but his attempt…