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Phoenix Rising FC

2022 US Open Cup Round 4: Sacramento Republic extend home win streak, 2-0 over rival Phoenix Rising

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Luis Felipe Fernandes celebrates after scoring a goal in the 30th minute against Phoenix Rising FC in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC
Luis Felipe celebrates after scoring a goal in the 30th minute against Phoenix Rising FC in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

On Wednesday night, Sacramento Republic FC played host to Phoenix Rising FC in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at a breezy and chilly Heart Health Park.

On the strength of an early goal by Luis Felipe, a clutch penalty kick save before halftime by Danny Vitiello before halftime and a late goal by Douglas Martinez, Sacramento advanced to the Round of 16 with a 2-0 win.  

With the win, Sacramento wins the club’s 10th straight home win in Open Cup play, the longest active streak, and the fourth-longest such streak of the Modern Era. The Republic improve to an impressive 15-1-0 record at home in the Open Cup, and the club’s record against Division 2 teams remains perfect at 5-0-0.

Both teams entered the Fourth Round by defeating lower division sides on late goals. Sacramento had punched their ticket on April 20 after a 2-1 win over Central Valley Fuego FC (USL League One), while Phoenix earned their spot following a 2-1 win over New Mexico United (USL Championship).

The match opened with both sides creating decent chances, but neither club could quite put it together in the final third. Rising FC held most of the possession early.

However, it was Republic FC who finally broke through in the 30th minute when Luis Felipe’s left footed strike beat Rising FC keeper Ben Lundt for a 1-0 lead. Midfielder Matt LaGrassa was credited with the assist.

Five minutes later (35th minute), it appeared Phoenix had leveled the match on a header from Marcus Epps, but it didn’t cross the line after rattling around the ground and crossbar a handful of times.  

Republic FC keeper Danny Vitiello made two incredible saves as the first half was drawing to a close. After center referee Joseph Salinas called a penalty in the box, Rising FC forward Greg Hurst stepped up to take the penalty, but was unable to convert. Hurst’s rebound shot was also stopped by Vitiello and the Republic went into the break clinging to a 1-0 advantage. 

After a chippy second half full of yellow cards and not many threatening chances for either side, Republic FC put the match away in the 88th minute on a header from Douglas Martinez thanks to a beautiful corner from substitute Emil Cuello.

The goal sealed a 2-0 win for Republic FC and a trip to the fifth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. 

Following the match, Republic FC midfielder Luis Felipe reflected on the match, his goal and how much the win meant for his team.

“It was a great fight from the whole team,” said Felipe. “We worked hard throughout the week, we watched video on them and I think we executed well. happy to score my first goal of the season, but most of all, happy for the team to win and advance in the Open Cup.”

A draw will be held on Thursday night to determine who Republic FC will face in the Fifth Round. 

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Greg Hurst’s late winner helps Phoenix Rising win rematch with New Mexico United

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Greg Hurst (left) of Phoenix Rising FC celebrates after scoring a goal in the 81st minute against New Mexico United in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC
Greg Hurst (left) of Phoenix Rising FC celebrates after scoring a goal in the 81st minute against New Mexico United in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC

On a warm night in Chandler, Ariz., Phoenix Rising hosted New Mexico United in the Third Round of thee 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Phoenix would win the game by a score of 2-1. The one-goal victory is the second such winning margin in five days; the teams having met the previous Saturday in a USL Championship contest.

After an unfortunate deflection in the opening minutes gave Phoenix the lead on an own goal, New Mexico answered in the second half with an equalizer from Nico Brett in the 65th minute.

But the hero for the home team would be Greg Hurst who headed home the go-ahead goal in the 81st minute. It avenged a 2019 Open Cup meeting between the clubs that saw United prevail in penalty kicks.

The game started with the home side in control, pinning New Mexico back in defense. After not quite two minutes completed, the referee would have words with Phoenix’s Jason Farrell and New Mexico’s Chris Wehan after a testy exchange.

Just three minutes later, Phoenix’s Joseph Calistri sent a ball across the penalty area, which was deflected by William Seymore, which fell between the outstretched arm of GK Ford Parker and the crossbar to put the home side in front. Joseph Calistri and Roderick Epps would spend the first half troubling the New Mexico back line.

New Mexico could not find second gear for the first 17 minutes. The visitors would continue to grow confident, forcing Phoenix netminder Ben Lundt into more and more activity. The New Mexico captain Sam Hamilton would go off in the 31st due to injury. His replacement, Obiarrah Preston Tabortetaka, would make an immediate impact by driving into the Phoenix goal area in his first possession. He, Illia Ilic and Neco Brett would become a thorn for the Phoenix defense.

In spite of the one-sided beginning, both sides would amass six shots with one on goal in the first half.

The second half began with New Mexico applying the pressure from the whistle. Both sides moved the ball well and created good chances. The second round extra time hero for Phoenix, Claudio Repetto, would find himself in consistently good positions, but adjudged to be offside several times. Roderick Epps would continue to trouble New Mexico with several good chances, but no goal to show for it.

In the 65th minute, Harry Swartz would, from inside his own half, send a 45-yard pass to a streaking Neco Brett. Bretty coolly split two defenders and slotted it with his left foot to level the score. It was the culmination of a good spell of possession and creativity for the visitors.

Players from Phoenix Rising FC and New Mexico United battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC
Players from Phoenix Rising FC and New Mexico United battle for the ball in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Eryn Nicholson | Phoenix Rising FC

Both teams again would trade opportunities and possession for several minutes. Finally, in the 81st minute, a team-goal would begin from a goal kick. The 8-pass sequence that involved 7 players, culminating in a headed goal by Greg Hurst, from a Santi Moar header to put the Rising in front for good. New Mexico’s GK, Ben Lundt seemed to think the shot was going wide and was frozen to the spot as the ball gently glanced off the inside of the post. It is Hurst’s second game-winning goal against New Mexico in as many games.

The Phoenix Rising advance to the round of 32, the draw for which will be held April 21st at noon ET.

Both teams continued to press for another goal, but no more were to be had.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Claudio Repetto’s late OT winner sends Phoenix Rising past Valley United

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ClaudioRepetto Phoenix Rising Valley United 2022 US Open Cup
Claudio Repetto smolders during Phoenix Rising FC’s match against Valley United in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Erin Nicholson

Phoenix Rising hosted their new NISA neighbors, Valley United FC, this evening in Chandler, Ariz. in the Second Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It took almost two hours of play to determine a winner, dramatically provided by Claudio Repetto in the 115th minute.

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Phoenix Rising held on for a 1-0 extra time win, which was the club’s first home win in Open Cup play since their inaugural season in 2014. The win snapped a five-game home winless streak and a three-game overall winless streak in the tournament. Rising’s last two trips to the Open Cup both ended in penalty kick losses (2018 at Sporting AZ FC; 2019 home vs. New Mexico United)

The NISA West leaders, United, started very compact but grew into the game as the first half wore on, creating a couple of good chances. Phoenix had eight first half corners, seven of them in the first 17 minutes. Ryan Flood would prove the biggest problem for Valley. Flood won three free kicks in the first half, and two more in the second half.

The second half got very physical as Valley United would have three players booked in the span of seven minutes early on. Aodhan Quinn would also add to Valley’s woes, stepping up his contributions in the second half. Claudio Repetto, an offseason acquisition from the Charleston Battery, would replace Richmond Antwi in the 61st minute.

The game would change in the 81st minute when Valley would go a man down when Sebastián Contreras would see yellow for a second time in a half hour. His foul on Ryan Flood, put Valley in an even more defensive stance. After this, Phoenix would again boss the game.

The final minute plus stoppage time would see no fewer than four fouls and a Phoenix yellow card as Rising took control.

“They sat back a bit, and it kind of took us a bit to break them down,” said Phoenix defender Darnell King.

Extra time almost exclusively belonged to Phoenix. Repetto would have a great shot to the upper 90 saved by Javier Olmedo in the 91st minute, followed by a great opportunity by a Luis Seijas free kick in the 96th nearly broke the deadlock but sailed just wide.

In the 110th minute, Arturo Rodriguez would have his right-footed shot saved by Olmedo. Darnell King would put a dangerous header on goal in the 115th, the blocked ball found its way to Repetto and he coolly hit to the bottom left corner to put the home side in front. The remaining five minutes would see the Valley side step up, but it was too little, too late.

Phoenix Head Coach, Rick Schantz, “Credit to Valley United. They fought; they were very organized,” said Phoenix head coach Rick Schantz. “They made it difficult, and we made it worse by playing with no energy, no tempo.”

Phoenix advance to the Third Round for the first time since 2017 and will learn their opponent when the Round 3 draw is announced on Friday at Noon ET.

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: New Mexico United makes history with PK win over Phoenix Rising

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New Mexico United celebrates their penalty kick win over Phoenix Rising FC in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Rinconn | PHXRisingFC.com
New Mexico United celebrates their penalty kick win over Phoenix Rising FC in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Rinconn | PHXRisingFC.com

New Mexico United (USL Championship), making its debut in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, defeated Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship) in penalties 4-3 after a 2-2 draw in the Second Round.

Devon Sandoval was a difference maker for New Mexico, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring an equalizer almost immediately, before scoring a go-ahead goal in extra time. Cody Mizell had 11 saves for New Mexico.

New Mexico United players celebrate a goal scored against Phoenix Rising FC in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Rinconn | PHXRisingFC.com
New Mexico United players celebrate a goal scored against Phoenix Rising FC in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Michael Rinconn | PHXRisingFC.com

By advancing to Round 3, New Mexico United becomes the first New Mexico-based club to advance in a US Open Cup game in the Modern Era (1995-present). According to TheCup.us records, the last team from the state to win a game in the tournament was the New Mexico Chiles in 1992.

New Mexico began the contest brightly, forcing Phoenix into several emergency defense situations before play evened out. Phoenix goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski came up with a strong double-save in the sixth minute to keep the contest scoreless.

Phoenix broke through in the 65th minute following a foul on Amadou Dia in the New Mexico box. Rising FC’s Junior Flemmings converted the penalty to take the lead. It wouldn’t last long, however, as in the 79th, New Mexico’s Josh Suggs found Sandoval open at the back post with a looping service. Sandoval’s header was placed well out of the reach of Woszczynski, and visitors were back in business.

In extra time, Sandoval’s 95th-minute strike took some wind out of the home crowd, but minutes later, Rising’s Adam Jahn took a pass from Solomon Asante and raced into space before sending a powerful equalizer inside the far post.

In a match where Mizell was so often the hero for New Mexico, he came up big again in penalties, denying Phoenix’s Dia and AJ Cochran, and sending his first-year club to a Third Round date in Colorado Springs to take on the Switchbacks.

For Phoenix, it was a second consecutive exit in penalties after falling in 2018 to Sporting AZ FC.

2018 US Open Cup Round 2: Sporting AZ lone UPSL team left after PK upset of Phoenix Rising

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Players from Sporting AZ celebrate during the club's 2018 US Open Cup match against Phoenix Rising. Photo: Sporting AZ
Players from Sporting AZ celebrate during the club’s 2018 US Open Cup match against Phoenix Rising. Photo: Sporting AZ FC

Sporting AZ FC was anything but favored against USL side Phoenix Rising in the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Wednesday night. However, Sporting AZ found itself on the right side of a 5-4 penalty shootout to continue its Cinderella run through the tournament.

Sporting AZ defender Eijin Kishimoto rifled a shot to the bottom left corner of the goal, causing an eruption of cheers from teammates and fans.

Even so, those same fans were biting their nails throughout the contest as Phoenix Rising hit its opponent with a relentless bombardment of offensive attacks. After the first 15 minutes of the match, Rising pushed Sporting AZ’s defense to a near collapse.

Phoenix Rising’s Kevaughn Frater, Chris Cortez and Alessandro Riggi slowly but surely maneuvered their way through their opponent’s tight defensive formation.

In the 64th minute, Sporting AZ’s defense reached its breaking point when Cortez got behind a couple defenders to find the back of the net.

“We were the underdogs and wanted to fight,” said Sporting AZ midfielder Danny Arrubla. “And have that Cinderella story keep going throughout the Open Cup.”

The only reason that story continues is because Arrubla wasted merely three minutes to even the score.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t a ridiculously heavy push from the midfielders and forwards to carry out the attack. Instead, Sporting AZ kept to its game plan that proved successful for the first 63 minutes – counter attack.

After finding themselves knotted up at one a piece with less than 25 minutes to play, exhaustion began to set in. Multiple substitutions were made, and neither teams’ coaches appeared too pleased with their squads’ offensive display.

It wasn’t until the allotted 90 minutes of regular time was up till the pace picked up again.

“We just worked 15 by 15,” said Sporting AZ forward Ryan Flood. “We set it out, and we said you know what ‘we’re going to grind for 15 minutes and put ourselves in a good position’.”

The team once known as the Arizona Sahuaros had a chance in the 110th minute when Tony Cascio split two defenders on a run up the middle. Except, his attempt didn’t bear any fruit.

Sporting AZ again had an opportunity to secure an edge in the 112th minute on a free kick from roughly 35 yards out. The ball ended up in the dirt past the far right post.

After Sporting AZ failed to capture a lead, Phoenix Rising got its chance in the 118th minute on a free kick awarded after a handball.

“(Our defenders are) tough guys,” said assistant coach Tom Hurdle. “They will put their heads in there at the last minute, and they’ll do whatever it takes to clear a ball. I wasn’t particularly worried, because I know they’d been doing it for the previous 118 minutes anyways.”

A cross was launched to the back post where it appeared to be headed in by a Rising player. Phoenix’s bench rose to its feet and cheered – a little too early.

The header didn’t connect with the back of the net. Rather, it just missed the bottom left corner.

With neither team able to prove victorious after 120 minutes and change, it was time for a penalty shootout.

Phoenix Rising missed the first and sixth attempt. On the other side, Sporting AZ nailed five of their six shots, all but one finishing in the bottom left corner of the goal.

Sporting AZ will play Fresno FC of the USL next week in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

2017 US Open Cup Round 3: Late winner by San Francisco Deltas bounce star-studded Phoenix Rising out of tournament

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San Francisco Deltas logoThe San Francisco Deltas defeated Phoenix Rising FC 2-1 in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Wednesday night at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.

Tommy Heinemann’s goal in second-half stoppage time was the winner for the Deltas of the NASL, who advanced to the Fourth Round to face another Bay Area club, the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer, on June 14.

While Phoenix awaits Didier Drogba’s debut, set for June 10, Omar Bravo made a comeback into the starting lineup from an injury and was ready to play.

Early in the game, Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Josh Cohen saved two potential goals in the first seven minutes on shots from San Francisco midfielder Michael Stephens and defender Reiner Ferreira.

Deltas goalkeeper Steward Ceus was down for three minutes while he got checked out for an injury after he collided with the post but stayed in the game in the 19th minute.

Phoenix Rising had many chances to score, including when Peter Ramage almost made a header in the 35th minute that went over the bar.

An apparent goal by Bravo just before halftime was nullified by an offside call.

On another chance for Rising, Eric Avila passed the ball to Bravo but he missed wide for the goal.

“When we get Omar involved often, he does a really good job, the hard part is with Omar’s age, he isn’t ask explosive as he once was and we had to play to his feet a little bit more and this team sat back so deep, they made it kind of difficult for us. But his interchange with Jason Johnson was good,” said Phoenix interim coach Rick Schantz.

San Francisco put Phoenix in a dangerous position when Kyle Bekker curled in a free kick from an angle outside the box in the 82nd minute, which put the Deltas up 1-0.

Phoenix Rising made the most of its chance to tie. Ramage was taken down in the box off a free kick in the 84th minute, which led Bravo to step to the penalty spot.

Bravo tied the game with a penalty kick in the 86th minute and left the crowd wildly chanting, “Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!”

Karl Ouimette dribbled the ball up the field and passed to the center, where Heinemann got the shot for victory.

“As a striker you always have to be ready in a split second, you never know when you’re going to get your chance so there’s always pressure in this game… But its good, it’s another step for us in the club, it’s a good progression competing in the Open Cup,” said Heinemann.

Schantz said his team looked tired after playing the last two games on the road, then having a midweek game to prepare for.

“Overall, I think we deserved to win..We respected them (Phoenix Rising FC) a lot and we knew we were coming to a tough place… Good opponent, good players, dangerous attack…I think we defended well and picked our chances and encountered good moments with good mentality from our guys,” Deltas coach Marc Dos Santos said.

2017 US Open Cup Round 2: Without Didier Drogba, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Phoenix Rising win opener vs. Fresno Fuego

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Phoenix Rising FC logo

Phoenix Rising FC moved into the Third Round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 3-1 victory over the Fresno Fuego at Fresno State Soccer Field on Wednesday night.

“A lot of our guys who don’t get normal minutes stepped up, and it was good professional performance,” Phoenix Rising FC interim head coach Rick Schantz said. “It’s important to get wins in the Open Cup, and to be on to the next round is huge. Ultimately we want to get an MLS team in Phoenix, and this is what we are supposed to do.”

Phoenix Rising broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Kody Wakasa finished a strike off of a corner kick, beating Fuego goalkeeper Agustin Rey near post for the 1-0 advantage.

After a Fuego giveaway one minute later in midfield, Eric Avila struck Mike Seth’s cross into the back of the net to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.

In the 54th minute, Seth would get a goal of is own on a tap in to make it 3-0.

“We had one sleepy moment on that corner kick and we paid the price for it,” Fuego head coach Brian Zwaschka said. “Right after that, we left ourselves a little to open, and they punished us. Apart of that, I thought it was a good performance. We created dangerous chances, but credit to their goalkeeper, he kept them in it.”

The Fuego got a goal back in the 59th minute when substitute Fellipe Oliveira made it 3-1, but that was all Fresno could get past Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Cohen.

Zwaschka was visibly frustrated on the touchline after Abraham Campos received a red card in the 83rd minute, and he felt like it changed the momentum of the match.

“In the second half, we lost focus, and being a man down later was disappointing,” Zwaschka said. “We tied our hands behind our backs after that.”

With the favorable result, Schantz loved seeing his squad players step up so his starters could get some rest before they play San Antonio FC in league play.

“I thought Blair Gavin did a really good job for us in midfield,” Schantz said. “J.J. Greer was another standout, but goalkeeper Josh Cohen was fantastic for us. He made some important saves, and it kept the team confident.”

Phoenix, who played without their recent high-profile signings Didier Drogba and Shaun Wright-Phillips, will host NASL’s San Francisco Deltas in the Third Round of the Open Cup on May 31. The winner of that match will travel to take on the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer in Round 4.

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