SCOTTSDALE, AZ. – Sounders FC 2 (3-13-2, 11 points) on Friday night played a strong first half against one of the USL’s top clubs, but a second-half goal from Phoenix Rising FC (11-4-5, 38 points) gave the home side a 1-0 win in Scottsdale. The victory moves Phoenix into second place in the Western Conference with 38 points.
S2 held one of the top-scoring teams in the USL scoreless for the first 55 minutes, but a chip from Chris Cortez in the 56th was enough for Phoenix to come away victorious. A misplay on the backline caused Seattle goalkeeper Calle Brown to leave his goalmouth, and Cortez was able to chip it over his head for the lone goal of the evening. The marker was the ninth of the season for Cortez, who now ranks tied for third in the league in that category.
Seattle saw appearances from three First Team players in Alex Roldan, Henry Wingo and Brown, and two Academy players in Cam Martin and Gio Miglietti. Azriel Gonzalez returned to action after helping the Sounders FC Academy U-17 squad win the USSDA Championship.
S2 returns to action on Thursday, July 26 against Las Vegas Lights FC at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma (7:00 p.m. PT / ESPN+). It will be the second match all-time between S2 and expansion side Las Vegas, and the first hosted by Seattle.
MATCH SUMMARY
Sounders FC 2 I 0-1 I Phoenix Rising FC
Friday, July 20, 2018
Venue: Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex I Scottsdale, Arizona
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistants: Todd Woodhull, Isaiah Vlad
Fourth Official: Charles Farr
Weather: 100 degrees and partly cloudy
Attendance: 7,381
SCORING SUMMARY
PHX – Chris Cortez (James Musa) 56’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Antonee Burke-Gilroy 48’ (caution)
SEA – Denso Ulysse 53’ (caution)
PHX – James Musa 70’ (caution)
SEA – Ibrahim Usman 83’ (caution)
SEA – Nick Hinds 86’ (caution)
LINEUPS & STATS
S2 – Calle Brown; Denso Ulysse, Gio Miglietti, Rodrigue Ele, Ibrahim Usman; Antonee Burke-Gilroy, Jesse Daley; Henry Wingo (Azriel Gonzalez 45’), Alex Roldan (Cam Martin 61’), Shandon Hopeau (Nick Hinds 83’); David Estrada
Substitutes not used: Sam Fowler, David Olsen
Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 0
Fouls: 15
Offside: 5
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 4
PHX – Carl Woszczynski; Kody Wakasa, Joseph Farrell, Mike Da Fonte, Amadou Dia; James Musa; Jason Johnson, Solomon Asante, Gladson Awako (Evan Waldrep 68’), Billy Forbes (Kevaughn Frater 61’); Chris Cortez (Devante Dubose 89’)
Substitutes not used: Zac Lubin, Doueugui Mala, Victor Vasquez, Alessandro Riggi
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 14
Offside: 5
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 0
