Phoenix Rising welcomed USL League One side Greenville Triumph into their new home on Wednesday evening for a U.S. Open Cup second round match. The crowd was not anywhere near the size of the opening night, but for a midweek match in the cup the turnout was respectable.
Phoenix made a number of changes to the lineup as would be expected for a Cup game verse a lower league opponent. Rising came out with good energy, and were moving the ball at will to start the game. They were getting forward quickly and were able to push outside backs Darnell King and Mo Traore higher to take advantage of the Triumph with speed on the outside. In the 14th minute Babucarr Njie showed his quickness when he got free at midfield and took off past the Greenville defenders and played a perfect pass into forward Jackson Conway whos shot was knocked away by Triumph keeper Jared Mazzola for a corner kick.
Rising kept the pressure on Greenville and just 7 minutes later in the 21st minute midfielder Eddie Munjoma sent a cross to the far post where Njie was able to recieve it and send a volly back across the goal and that's where Carlos Harvey was able to beat his mark and head the ball into the goal for a 1-0 Phoenix lead. Rising controlled the rest of the half and were never really in much danger of getting scored on , although Greenville had some opportunities that were handled by Phoenix before any real threats at goal. At the half time whistle Rising sat comfortably ahead in possession with a 70-30 advantage.
Manager Juan Guerra decided to make a change to start the second half as Carlos Harvey came out and defender Daniel Krutzen came on. The second half started the way the first half was played with Rising in control and pressing for another goal. Greenville did get an opportunity early in the half when Venton Evans took a shot from distance but Phoenix keeper Patrick Rakovsky made an amazing save to keep the home side ahead. Rising continued to press forward and after subs came on in the 62nd minute they had a great chance from Conway that Mazzola had to make a diving save to keep out of the goal. Rising kept the pressure on the Triumph with more and more opportunities. Jackson Conway sprung midfielder Munjoma in alone on goal in the 79th minute, Munjoma tried to beat the keeper to the far post , but Mazzola got enough on it to send it out for a corner. Rising started to allow Greenville to get back in the game as the final minutes were approaching, there was a very nervous feel in the stadium I can tell you that!! Greenville's Allen Gavilanes hit a shot late in the game that Patrick Rakovsky made a fantastic save pushing the ball up and off the crossbar to preserve the lead.
Phoenix was able to hold on and get the win to move into the 3rd round of the U.S. Open Cup, they will find out their next opponent today when the 3rd round draw is held. Overall Phoenix dominated the game and was never in real danger of getting scored on.
Rising will travel to Birmingham this weekend for a Easter Sunday game against the Legion who are sitting at the top of the Eastern table with 3 wins and 1 draw, this will be a challenge for Rising, but one that manager Juan Guerra will have the boys prepared for I am sure.
Comments