IRVINE, Calif. – Phoenix Rising FC thought it had started off its 2018 campaign with three points on the road, but a late goal from substitute Alex Crognale saw Orange County SC record a 1-1 tie at Champions Soccer Stadium at OC Great Park on Saturday. Billy Forbes, one of the most prominent offseason additions for Rising FC, had an immediate impact for his new team, assisting the first goal of Phoenix’s 2018 campaign in the 11th minute of the match. Solomon Asante scored the goal for Rising FC, making a run to meet the ball at the back post. Orange County controlled a majority of the possession for the remainder of the game, but the team struggled to score. In the 30th minute, Oscar Sorto went down in the box after attacking the right wing, and questions were raised over whether a penalty should be awarded, but center official Michael Radchuk held his whistle. Michael Seaton had a great chance to score for the home side near the end of the first half, but his close-range header hit the crossbar. With the result, Rising FC sits at 0-0-1 on the year, while Orange County moves to 0-0-1.

Scoring:

11’ – PHX – Solomon Asante (Billy Forbes)

90’ – OC – Alex Crognale

Three Things That Matter:

1. Billy Forbes showed why he was arguably the best addition for Phoenix ahead of the 2018 regular season, alongside Solomon Asante. The pair of speedy attackers combined early in the match to score the first goal of the campaign for the team. Forbes played the ball across the six-yard box in the 11th minute, and the Ghanaian was at the back post to finish the chance. While the team did not control the ball as much for the rest of the match, both speedsters were a threat on the counter combining well with their teammates.

2. Alex Crognale was the ideal impact substitute for Orange County on Saturday. The former Columbus Crew SC talent came on for Owusu-Ansah Kontor in the 82nd minute and made his presence known. On a free kick attempt moments after coming on the field, Crognale headed a shot on frame, but goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski made a spectacular diving stop to deny his shot. However, Crognale would not be denied on the night, as he scored the equalizer in the 90th minute to secure a point for the home side in its first game of the season.

3. While he did not score for Orange County on Saturday, Michael Seaton caused problems all evening for Phoenix. The forward’s pace and composure on the ball, combined with his height, should prove to be a problem for Western Conference defenses all season long. One of Seaton’s best opportunities to score came in the 40th minute, when he headed a cross sent in from the right wing towards goal, but the ball careened off the crossbar. He had another decent look at goal in the second half, crashing the box and connecting with his head. However, he could not get enough power behind the attempt to really test Phoenix goalkeeper Woszczynski.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC – The midfielder scored Phoenix’s first goal of the season, and he also completed 84.6 percent of his passes on the evening.