Brace from Jahn and resurgence in total team form are biggest team factors in 3-1 win in regular season final over the OKC Energy

In a historic night at Casino Arizona Field, after struggling to collect only 4 of their last 12 points after a 20 game winning streak came to an end in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Fresno F.C. two weeks ago, Phoenix Rising Football Club (24-6-4, 1st Place, USL Championship) wanted to make a statement on the final $1 Beer Night of the 2019 regular season – and they did exactly that with a comprehensive 3-1 over the Oklahoma City Energy FC (9W-11D-14L, 15th – USL West) in front of 7,603 – the 2nd largest crowd in franchise history. The win set two more USL Championship records for PRFC – most wins and most points in a regular season campaign by any USL side ever – hopping the 2018 FC Cincinnati side that moved to MLS starting this season.

PRFC celebrates the presentation of the 2019 USL Supporters Shield in front of CAZ Field’s South End.

How It Happened

You wouldn’t have blamed Rick Schantz for resting some of the Rising’s key stars in a game that would have no impact on the final standings or playoff positioning. But coming off of their first home loss of the season (2-1 last Saturday against Real Monarchs) and winless in three straight – a draw with NMU sandwiched by losses to the Foxes and Monarchs – a win in the final $1 Beer Night of the year featuring a post-game celebration of the franchise’s first ever USL Supporters Shield (top record of any side in regular season) was motivation enough for Schantz to trot out what appears to be very close to his playoff first choice XI for the 2019 USL Cup Playoffs.

Welcome back Alessandro Riggi!

Rising came out firing, and continue the barrage throughout the evening with 22 shots total and 12 on target, peppering OKC goaltender Bryan Byers throuhgout the evening.

Adam Jahn looks like he’s getting his early season form back. The Rising target man scored a brace to end his first season with the Rising with 17 goals on the year, 2nd on the team to Solomon Asanate.

Kevon Lambert’s goal stands as the game winner, and it was a total banger, curling into the top right corner of the next past Byers for his 4th goal of 2019. Lambert’s play in the middle of the field will be an essential part of any succesful playoff run for PRFC – he was a dominant force on both sides of the ball on Friday. Here’s a look at his spectacular game winner:

This win serves a message to the rest of the USL that the Rising, at full strength, are far superior than most teams they will face. The key will be replicaitng performances like this against teams that they have struggled to find a rhythm against, like NMU or Fresno FC.

What’s next for PRFC?

Here’s the final playoff field for the West as the USL Championship playoff matchups have finally been decided. Seeds 7-10 are playing in a play-in round on Wed, then the lowest seed remaning of those sides will travel to Phoenix on Saturday as the Rising open up their Western Conference Championship defense at 7:30 PM at Casino Arizona Field.

Play-In Games: #7 Republic FC vs. #10 New Mexico United

#8 Austin Bold FC vs. #9 LA Galaxy II

Who Will the Rising Face?

The Rising will either face off against #8 Austin Bold FC, #9 LA Galaxy II, or #10 New Mexico United. A matchup with United would be nervy, given that the Rising are 0-1-2 against the Four Corner Cup rivals, the only team they have played three times and have not defeated, with the most recent matchup being a 2-2 draw at Isotopes Park, with Joey Calistri scoring two goals in the final 15 minutes to salvage a point. Prediction: The Republic defeat United – Sacramento has come on late in the year to finish strong and will be playing at home, which is a huge advantage. Austin will defeat the Galaxy, setting up a first round tie on Saturday where the Rising will take on Austin Bold F.C., promising to be a chippy and intense affair after this year’s $1 Beer Night match against the Bold where the Rising scored 5 2nd half goal and Bold’s Edson Braafield was sent off with a straight red for a kick on Joey Calistri. We’ll have a match preview when we know more.

Until then CONGRATS to the 2019 USL Regular Season Champion Phoenix Rising Football Club on the best regular season in USL history. They have the talent, coaching, skill and leadership to get 4 more wins and bring this franchise our first championship ever. Let’s get out to CAZ Field and show the boys we support them.