Phoenix Rising’s Spencer, Aguinaga make USL team of the week

For the third time this season, multiple members of the Phoenix Rising FC made the USL Championship Team of the Week.

Forward Ben Spencer and midfielder José Aguinaga earned the honor after massive performances in the Rising’s 5-3 victory at Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday.

Spencer scored two goals including the go-ahead score in the 35th minute that gave Phoenix a 2-1 advantage. The Rising never conceded that lead.

Aguinaga scored a goal in the 87th minute when the Rising led 4-3. His score iced the game and gave his team its 23rd victory of the season, which matches the USL Championship single-season record for wins.

As easy as 1-2-3…#UpRising pic.twitter.com/h7eU2gy38K

— z-Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) October 6, 2019

Aguinaga also delivered two assists including a beauty to set up forward Junior Flemmings. Aguinaga is now tied for 11th in the league in assists with seven.

This is the second time the midfielder has made the team of the week this season and the first time that Spencer made it. Now, 12 different Rising players have earned team of the week honors this season. Forward Solomon Asante has made it most often at seven times (plus he was an honorable mention three times).

The Rising have already comfortably clinched the league’s regular season title. They have 75 points with two matches left.

The next best team in the Western Conference is Fresno FC with 56 and the Eastern leader, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, has 62 points.

Phoenix’s final two games are at home. On Saturday it faces the Real Monarchs and on Friday, Oct. 18, the OKC Energy come to the desert. The USL Championship playoffs begin on October 23.

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