Rising Fullback Has Huge Defensive Effort & Key Goal in 4-2 PRFC Win

Phoenix Rising (16W-5D-2L, 53 PTS, 1st Place/USL-West) fullback Mustapha Dumbuya’s incredible performance on the wings and Solomon Asante’s brace keyed Phoenix in a 4-2 win over 2nd place Reno 1868 FC (13W-5D-7L, 44 PTS, 2nd Place/USL-West) on Friday night at Casino Arizona Field in front of 7,046. The win gives the Rising a season sweep over the West’s 2nd best squad for most of the season, along with delivering them to 13 straight $1 Beer Night victories, 14 straight USL Championship league wins, and extending their lead at the top of the West table to 9 points over Reno and Fresno FC, both at 44 points.

The game started off well for Phoenix, as have so many in this 14 game winning streak, as Junior Flemmings took a run from outside the box and went for the lower right corner against San Jose Earthquakes loanee Mark Bersano to give the Rising a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.

Despite a substantial amount of chances after that point from an effective Reno offense (the second best in the USL West to the Rising going into the game), the Rising defense and keeper Zac Lubin kept them off the board going into the half.

Danny Musokovi of Reno made sure that halftime adjustments were taken to heart and showed that Reno was not going to be a typical dollar beer night run over with a goal in the 53rd minute to level the game at 1-1 after an extended period of dominance in possession and play by Reno. Not to be outdone, PRFC woke up after Reno’s game tying goal. Adam Jahn hustled to keep a ball inbounds on the east side of the field by an inch, then passed it to Amadou Dia, who was taken down on a great run into the box. Solomon Asante stepped up to the spot, and well, you know what happens:

The USL’s Golden Boot leader put home his league-leading 17th goal of 2019 to give the Rising a 2-1 lead. Not even two minutes later, Rising wing back and Man of the Match Mustapha Dumbuya added to his 5 interceptions, 4 duels won, and three interceptions on the backline with a fantastic run from a beautiful backheel by MF Kevon Lambert to double the Rising lead to 3-1 with his first goal in a Rising uniform:

Dumbuya’s performance was key to the Rising victory and he’s been one of the team’s most improved all season along with one of the hardest workers on the team. Reno was not done yet, as the league’s #4 goal scorer, Corey Hertzog, put home an easy tap in after the Rising D was caught off guard in the box to put the game at 3-2. However, 6 minutes later, Adam Jahn was taken down in the box once again, and Rising captain Solomon Asante stepped to the line with the opportunity to grab the all-time PRFC career goals scored record – and put himself one goal short of the single season record for goals. He delivered in the 79th to give PRFC the 4-2 lead that would stand up until the end of the game:

The win was an impressive one from a PRFC team that has defied the odds by winning an insane 14 straight USL league games, while continuing to add depth and options to an already deadly side. Jose Aginuaga was given a rest for most of the game in favor of James Musa next to Bakero and Lambert, but was brought on late. New LAFC loanee Peter Lee Vassel was brought on late in the game as well and impressed in limited time. Reno at times controlled possession and the game, but what the Rising have been great at all season is not letting games completely get away from them, and it was obvious after Reno tied the match, that Phoenix would be pushing hard, and when the Rising push hard as possible, there is no USL side that can handle that.

Notes/What’s Up Next:

The Rising remain undefeated this season at Casino Arizona Field, with a record of 10 wins, 3 draws, and 0 losses in home league play in 2019.

Attendance of 7,046 was the 2nd best home crowd of 2019.

The Rising are now 2-0 on a huge three game homestand against three Western contenders. They take on long time rival Sacramento Republic FC next Friday to wrap up their homestand.

Solomon Asante’s 18 goals and 11 assists lead the league in both categories.

Zac Lubin set a new team record for wins in a season by a Rising GK with his 16th win in 2019.

The first meeting the Rising had with next week’s opponent, Sacramento Republic FC, ended in a 0-0 draw at Papa Murphy’s Park in Sacramento.

Updated USL West Standings:

The Rising still have 2 games in hand over 2nd place Reno, and a 9 point overall lead.