Phoenix Rising finds the back of the net often in win over Timbers 2
Oct 5, 2019, 9:25 PM | Updated: 9:25 pm
Solomon Asante. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Rising FC)
(Photo courtesy of Phoenix Rising FC)
Phoenix Rising FC came out guns blazing Saturday night.
Behind goals from Kevon Lambert, Junior Flemmings, Ben Spencer and José Aguinaga, Rising took home the 5-3 victory over Portland Timbers 2.
Lambert kicked off the Rising attack, finding the back of the net in the fourth minute, while sparking an early-game flip in the process.
Fun fact: We just got @k_lmbrt27 goals from the depths of the interwebz!
Come for the goal. Stay for the backflip. #UpRising pic.twitter.com/P4aDSqfgXG
— z-Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) October 6, 2019
Timbers 2 answered with a goal of its own later in the half to move the score to 1-1 before the duo of Solomon Asante and Ben Spencer proved deadly.
Attacking in the 35th minute, Asante raced down the field, finding Spencer in front of the goal. Spencer did the rest of the work, splitting two defenders and the goalie for the goal.
The slick dime from @Asante20Magic to @bspenc9 is his 16th assist of the season, matching the @USLChampionship single-season record!#UpRising pic.twitter.com/peVsw2RDXU
— z-Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) October 6, 2019
The assist from Asante marked his 16th of the season, tying the USL Championship single-season record.
At the half, Rising led 2-1.
Junior Flemmings kept the scoring going in the second half. In the 54th minute, Flemmings capitalized on the open field in front of him, squeaking it past the goalie to extend the team’s lead.
That assist from José Aguinaga 😯
And @Flemmo_77 makes the finish look easy.#UpRising pic.twitter.com/L0fwZo6V01
— z-Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) October 6, 2019
The goal had some extra meaning behind it as well. With the goal, Flemmings joins Asante and Adam Jahn in the 15-goal club, becoming the first trio in league history to have scored 15 goals each in a single season.
Spencer kept the pressure on Timbers 2 in the 70th minute, finding the net for a second time.
Hey guys!@bspenc9 scored a brace and we think that’s something worth discussing.#UpRising pic.twitter.com/2DNSg1WvUj
— z-Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) October 6, 2019
Timbers 2 wouldn’t go down quietly, however, answering with goal 73 minutes in before being gifted an own-goal from Rising.
But the one-goal deficit wouldn’t last long as Rising came right back and added the knockout punch in the 88th minute of play.
Adding a goal to his two assists on the evening, Aguinaga shut the door on the Timbers 2 comeback, pushing the lead to 5-3.
Up next, Rising hosts Real Monarchs SLC at Casino Arizona Field on Oct. 12. In their only other matchup of the season, Rising took home the 4-2 victory.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be audio-streamed on ArizonaSports.com.
