The playoff story of the Phoenix Rising has finished its last chapter of 2023.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!From finishing sixth place in the Western Conference and going 1-4-2 in their last 7 regular season matches, the miracle run of the Rising in the postseason was capped off with them winning the USL Championship 3-2 on penalties against the Charleston Battery at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina on Nov. 12.
Prior to the final match of the season, Phoenix had to get through a gauntlet to advance.
They knocked out #3 San Diego Loyal in an extra-time thriller 4-3 thanks to Rising forward Dariusz Formella, in the 119th minute, smashing the ball straight towards the middle of the goal in the quarterfinal.
Then, two last-gasp goals by Phoenix midfielder Emil Cuello against #2 Orange County SC and #1 Sacramento Republic SC in the semifinal and conference final helped book the Rising’s ticket to the USL Championship with two, 2-1 victories.
Facing them, Charleston were riding off of a four-game winning streak and finished third in the Eastern Conference.
First, the Battery demolished #6 Indy Eleven 5-0 on Oct. 22.
Just like the Rising, Charleston won their next two playoff games 2-1 as they beat #7 Birmingham Legion FC and #5 Louisville City SC.
During the regular season, Charleston and Phoenix tied 1-1 in South Carolina on Mar. 11.
Matching their previous two games, the Rising had to fight to the bitter end, but ended up getting the result.
First Half
To begin the half, Charleston had a few small opportunities to shoot, but Phoenix goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo calmly handled any danger.
It wasn’t until the 36th minute until one of the two sides got on the board.
Dashing out on the right, Battery left-back Mark Segbers received a lobbed pass and ran with the ball.
Quickly, Segbers looked for a teammate and sent the ball over to Charleston forward Nick Markanich who powered a shot to the bottom-left corner of the goal to score and give the Battery a 1-0 lead.
Wrapping up the half, Charleston kept pouring on the pressure.
Battery right-wingback Derek Dodson sent a header from far out towards Rios Novo, but Rising midfielder Carlos Harvey deflected the ball out of bounds.
Second Half
After not creating enough opportunities to score, Phoenix would receive a huge chance to tie the game.
Running into the Battery’s box, Harvey was eventually tackled by Charleston midfielder Emilio Ycaza.
As a result, the bad challenge by Ycaza awarded the Rising a penalty opportunity.
But, Phoenix weren’t able to score off of it.
For almost the remainder of the second-45 minutes of the match, Charleston looked to double their lead and give them comfort.
However, Rios Novo stood tall when he had to be as he turned away three more shots.
In the dying moments of the game, the Rising pulled another trick out of their magical hat this postseason.
Out wide, Phoenix midfielder José Hernández sent a cross into the box of the Battery’s.
Jumping up, Rising defender John Stenberg put everything into a header and sent the ball into the net to tie the game in the 90th minute, 1-1.
Penalty Shootout
Following 30 minutes of extra-time with a few small chances, the USL Championship had to be decided by a penalty shootout in a best-of-5.
To begin, Cuello and Phoenix defender Daniël Krutzen missed the first two of the shootout while Battery midfielder A.J. Peterson and striker Augustine Williams gave Charleston a 2-0 lead.
On the brink of being eliminated, Rios Novo had all the pressure on his shoulders.
One more goal by the Battery and another miss by Phoenix would hand Charleston the title.
Next, Rising midfielder Renzo Zambrano pulled one back as he scored to make it 2-1.
Surprisingly, Battery defender Leland Archer went to the right, but missed the goal entirely.
Trying to tie the shootout, Phoenix winger Erickson Gallardo converted on his chance as the score would be 2-2.
With the shootout all-square, Charleston midfielder Chris Allan went left, but so did Rios Novo as the goalkeeper saved Allan’s attempt.
Since the score was tied and both teams taking four tries, it came down to one goal and the other team missing to crown a winner.
Rising forward Manuel Arteaga stepped up and powered it past Battery goalkeeper Trey Muse.
Having a 3-2 advantage, Rios Novo saved the last shot by Dodson to win the USL Championship for Phoenix, 3-2.
🏆 @PHXRISINGFC ARE THE 2023 USL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE WINNERS! 🏆#IgnitePhoenix | #ReadyToShine pic.twitter.com/zxylvvhK1q
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) November 13, 2023
Despite losing a heartbreaker in penalties, Charleston outshot the Rising 23-17 with 7 on-target while Phoenix had 3.
Furthermore, Phoenix did lead in possession with having the ball 58% of the match.
From being the USL Western Conference Champions in 2018 and 2020, the Phoenix Rising have won their first league championship.
Now, it is only up from here with the soccer club.
Phoenix Rising knock-out Orange County SC 2-1, head to USL Western Conference Final
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Alec Cipollini is the lead reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
