Phoenix Rising Falls, 1-0, in Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
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 Moar (Greg Hurst 65), JJ Williams (Claudio Repetto 84).
Substitutes Not Used: Lalo Delgado, Carlos Anguiano, Marcus Ferkranus.
Colorado Springs – Jeff Caldwell, Isiah Foster, Jimmy Ockford, Matt Mahoney, Michael Edwards (Issa Rayyan 90+2), Cam Lindley, Jairo Henriquez (Aaron Wheeler 82), Michee Ngalina (Kharlton Belmar 90+4), Hadji Barry, Elvis Amoh, Stevie Echevarria.
Substitutes Not Used: Christian Herrera, Beverly Makangila, Zach Zandi, Dennis Erdmann.
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