TULSA — After 120 minutes, two yellow cards, one red card, and four successful penalty shots, Phoenix Rising defeated FC Tulsa to advance in the U.S. Open Cup.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In what was an even matchup since the first minute of action, Rising and Tulsa took turns trying to get the upper hand. A single yellow card to Tulsa’s Marcos Cerato in the 19th minute was given, and both clubs took their scoreless tie into the second half.
Rising made quick work in the first minutes of the second half. Rising’s Jearl Margaritha broke the tie with a goal in the 51st minute, with an assist from Rémi Cabral. However, emotions flared as Cabral was shown a yellow card in the 69th minute and a second in the 75th minute. With a red card drawn, Cabral had to leave the match and left Rising with 10 men.
Tulsa quickly took advantage and scored its own goal in the 86th minute, this time by Stefan Lukic. At the end of full time, Rising and Tulsa were still tied, 1-1.
With 30 minutes of extra time, both clubs again did their best to score the winning goal to no avail. Rising goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky made a match-saving save in the 121st minute, taking the match into penalties.
Rakovsky was again the hero, keeping Tulsa at only two successful penalty attempts. Rising scored all four of its penalties, thus winning and advancing in the U.S. Open Cup.
PK saves in extra time AND the shootout ???? @PHXRisingFC’s @RakovskyPatrick wrote himself into the @opencup history books with this performance! ???? #USOC2025 pic.twitter.com/xEl4hBlcKA
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 17, 2025
“What an unbelievable performance from the whole group,” Rising head coach Pa Modou Kah told the media after the match. “An unbelievable performance from the staff. It shows the character and resilience that this group possesses.”
Phoenix Rising will head home for another match on April 19 against Sacramento Republic FC, and Kah is eager for his club to get back on the pitch.
“Now, with this game, we should have great momentum to go into the next game, play in front of our home fans and get that first win.”
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Phoenix Rising eager and ready to face FC Tulsa in US Open Cup
