This is the first installment of Player Rating, where after every match we ask you, the reader, to rate the performance of Rising. We’ll average it all out and present the top three players each week.

In a back and fourth match Saturday night, two of the five Phoenix Rising debutants, along with a fan favorite, led the charge in the Alamo City.

Junior Flemmings #7 (courtesy Phoenix Rising FC)

1. Junior Flemmings (8.4)



1 Goal, 1 Assist, 88.9% Passing Accuracy, 4 Fouls Earned, 3 Tackles Won

The left-side midfielder did not take much time to make an impression in his first official appearance for Phoenix. His sliding back-post goal in the 22nd snapped Phoenix back into a game that seemed to be dominated by San Antonio. Flemmings wasn’t finished though as his assist in the 43rd minute got Phoenix back level after SAFC had taken the lead three minutes prior. Flemmings was a threat throughout the night, sticking to the left sideline and combining with Jose Aguinaga and Amadou Dia.

2. Jason Johnson (7.9)

6 Minutes, 1 Goal

Johnson came up big against his former team, heading a Kevon Lambert cross into the back of the net in the 93rd minute. Coming off what some considered a off-year , it is exciting to see Johnson make an immediate impact. Johnson will be sharing time with Flemmings this year but could also see time as a central striker, especially if Ben Spencer does not make the bench.

2. Adam Jahn (7.8)

1 Goal , 2 Shots, 65.6% Passing Accuracy, 1 Own Goal

Despite the own goal (which was a great finish even if he didn’t mean it), Jahn was impressive in his Rising debut, tapping in an easy goal to respond late in the first half. Jahn has big shoes to fill and will be doing so in a different system than that which featured Chris Cortez and Didier Drogba last year. Jahn will be asked to play a bigger part of the possession-focused offense and the early returns are promising. Jahn was able to combine in tight spaces with Asante, Aguinaga, and Flemmings to keep the ball moving and relieve pressure. This will be important throughout the year when teams are pressuring Phoenix at the back and hold up play is needed to move the rest of the team upfield.

The Rest: Carl Woszczynski (7.7), Solomon Asante (7.1), Kevon Lambert (6.7), Jose Aguinaga (6.6), Joey Calistri (6.1, sub), Devin Vega (6.0, sub), Mustapha Dumbuya (5.9), Amadou Dia (5.3), Lamar Batista (4.8), Doueugui Mala (4.4), James Musa (4.3)





What do you think? Do these ratings come close to your own thoughts? Let us know below!



