PHOENIX RISING FC

Phoenix Rising upset by LA Galaxy II after another 1st half red card

Sep 29, 2021, 11:26 PM | Updated: 11:31 pm

Phoenix Rising FC forward Santi Moar yells in frustration after missing a shot in a 3-0 loss to LA ...

Phoenix Rising FC forward Santi Moar yells in frustration after missing a shot in a 3-0 loss to LA Galaxy II at the Dignity Health Sports Park Track Field in Carson, Calif. on Sept. 29, 2021. (Owain Evans Photo)

(Owain Evans Photo)

CARSON, Calif. — USL Championship history was made at the Dignity Health Sports Park Track Field on Wednesday night.

For the first time since 2016 — before Phoenix Rising FC rebranded from Arizona United SC — LA Galaxy II defeated a 10-man PRFC side by a score of 3-0.

The defeat also marks the end of Rising’s 13-match winning streak over Los Dos and is just the second time this season that Phoenix was held without a goal.

However, the goal-fest streak between the two clubs has been extended, as the last 10 matchups have now featured a minimum of three goals scored.

“Well if we have to play with 10 guys every time, this is going to happen. It’s ridiculous,” Phoenix Rising manager Rick Schantz said postgame.

“First of all, it’s our fault. We were not good on set pieces. Our corner kick transition was awful. We were too wide. … The referee ruined the game as usual. I’m just getting so tired of it. Three games in a row now we’ve had poor decisions go against us.”

Statistically, PRFC dominated the first half until left back Tate Schmitt was sent off after being shown a straight red for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

And despite playing a man down for 45 minutes for the second time in three matches, Phoenix finished the night with 58% possession, out-shot LA 18-13 and won the corner battle by a whopping count of 14-2.

“After the red card, I thought we were pretty good,” Schantz said. “In the first 15-20 minutes, we should’ve had three or four goals and we didn’t score goals. That’s what this game is all about. If we put them away early, it might’ve been a different story.”

The sending-off marks the second red the loanee has received in his last two halves of football played following his second yellow in the dying seconds of the first half in the 2-1 win over Orange County SC on Sept. 18.

Schantz made eight changes to the side that defeated Tacoma Defiance 2-1 last week, including leaving captain Solomon Asante, No. 6 Kevon Lambert and right back Darnell King out of the Matchday 18.

“Should I play all the starters every time every game?” Schantz said. “I don’t know, I would ask the fans. …

“The team is fantastic. If we didn’t get a red card, did we look like the better team? I thought so. I thought we were fantastic in the first half up until the red card. It’s not about changing players.”

The starting XI also featured goalkeeper Lalo Delgado in between the posts, and midfielders David Loera and Luis Seijas — all of whom made their first-ever start in a PRFC kit on the night.

“It was good,” Schantz said of Delgado’s start. “I think he could’ve made the save (on the first goal), it slipped through his hands. At this level when you have to be called upon, you have to be able to make the save and you’ve got to be able to make the difference.

“Other than that, I thought he was pretty good. He did well on a couple mistakes that we made and they got some shots off. I don’t put that on Lalo — the last two goals.”

UP NEXT

Phoenix Rising caps off the three-game road trip away to Pacific Division rival Orange County.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Catch the audiostream on ArizonaSports.com and on the Arizona Sports app.

Phoenix Rising FC

The all-new 2024 Phoenix Rising "Todos Rojos" home kit. (Image via Phoenix Rising FC)...

David Veenstra

Phoenix Rising FC reveals new kits for 2024 USL Championship season

Phoenix Rising Football Club revealed new uniforms for the upcoming season on Thursday at Marquee Theatre in Tempe.

28 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort chats pregame...

Arizona Sports

Full Arizona Sports’ 2024 Newsmakers Week schedule

Leaders from the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona State Sun Devils and more join Bickley & Marotta.

1 month ago

Phoenix Rising FC's press conference announcing the move to Gila River's Wild Horse Pass. (Arizona ...

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Rising FC no longer pursuing women’s team in USL Super League

Phoenix Rising have backed out of creating a team in the USL Super League despite approval of Division I status by U.S. Soccer for the league.

2 months ago

An exterior view of SoFi Stadium prior to a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams a...

Associated Press

US men to play 3 West Coast games in 2026 World Cup group play

The USMNT will play three games along the West Coast in its group stage for the 2026 World Cup; two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

2 months ago

Danny Stone, Phoenix Rising FC...

Vincent DeAngelis

Phoenix Rising FC hires new head coach Danny Stone

A new era for Phoenix Rising FC has begun as Danny Stone was named the new head coach on Thursday.

2 months ago

Juan Guerra...

Damon Allred

Phoenix Rising FC head coach Juan Guerra departs for MLS assistant coach job

Phoenix Rising head coach Juan Guerra will leave the club for an assistant coaching job in Major League Soccer, the club announced Monday.

3 months ago

Phoenix Rising upset by LA Galaxy II after another 1st half red card