Following a last-minute, 4-3 victory against the San Diego Loyal on Oct. 22, Phoenix Rising have advanced to the USL Western Conference semifinals as they take-on Orange County SC at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California tonight at 7 p.m.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Snapping a five-game winless streak (0-3-2), Rising forward Dariusz Formella scored a 119th minute goal in extra time to help Phoenix beat the Loyal in the quarterfinals.
It's @DarekFormella10's world and we are just living in it #IgnitePhoenix | @Carvana pic.twitter.com/srVTOJA0el
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) October 23, 2023
As for Orange County, they have a four-match winning streak coming into tonight’s battle.
Last Saturday, winger Milan Iloski netted the only goal right before half-time in their 1-0 victory against the El Paso Locomotive.
When the regular season concluded, Orange County (17-6-11) were second place in the Western Conference with 57 points.
With Phoenix (12-12-10), they finished sixth place as they collected 48 points.
In two games, the Rising were 1-0-1 against Orange County this season.
On May 20, Phoenix forward Manuel Arteaga was the only goal-scorer in a 1-0 win.
Then, the Rising were losing 1-0 after Iloski found the back of the net in the 61st minute.
As the game was coming to a close, Phoenix midfielder Emil Cuello fired a shot from outside of Orange County’s box to tie the game 1-1 in the 85th minute.
Wow! 🤯@EmilCuello from way 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 🎯#PHXvOC | @PHXRisingFC pic.twitter.com/sdqcO0uIDg
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) October 1, 2023
Whoever wins tonight will play against Sacramento Republic FC (18-10-6) in the USL Western Conference Championship.
Sacramento beat San Antonio FC 3-1 on Oct. 27 and were the best team in the conference at the end of the regular season.
Where to Listen/Watch
The game will be available to watch on the Arizona’s Family Sports and Enterntaiment Network App.
As for streaming, ESPN+ is the place to catch this playoff clash.
To listen, Rising Radio will carry the game.
Rising score last-minute goal to beat Loyal 4-3, advance to semi’s
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Alec Cipollini is a journalist covering the Arizona Coyotes, Cardinals and Phoenix Rising for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
