After a slow start to the game for both teams, the Phoenix Rising (10-8-8) quickly went up two goals out of halftime against the Sacramento Republic (13-9-5) on Wednesday. In a tough matchup for the Rising, the team pulled out a win on their home turf and elevated their winning streak to two games.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Going into Wednesday night’s game, the Republic were the number one team in Group West of the USL. After defeating the powerhouse team, the Rising moved to sixth in standings. In a game where they were clear underdogs, Rising’s manager Juan Guerra was impressed with the grit that the team showed.
“It speaks high volumes of the massive steps that they have been wanting to take forward,” Guerra said. “It speaks high volumes of their character, they’re not going to slow down, they’re going to keep moving forward… Tonight was a good statement.”
In the 60th minute, Manuel Arteaga found the back of the net in a goal assisted by Gabi Torres. Just five minutes later off of an assist by Arteaga, Danny Trejo scored to put the team up 2-0.
The Republic’s efforts to stay in the game came too late, when Shane Weidt registered the teams first goal in the 84th minute to make the score 2-1.
On the defensive end, Carlos Harvey tallied five interceptions and Arteaga added two for the Rising, keeping the republic to only 5 shots total and two on target. The Rising had five yellow cards to the Republic’s one.
After Wednesday’s match, Guerra is already looking forward to the teams next game on Saturday at Phoenix Rising Stadium against Rio Grande Valley FC.
“In the position that the boys put themselves in tonight, it’s a great position now to take advantage of on Saturday night,” Guerra said.
Phoenix Rising manager wants consistent 90 minutes from his club
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Taylyn Hadley is a sports and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on X via @TAYLYNH11.
