PHOENIX – Junior Flemmings notched his eighth goal of the season as Phoenix Rising FC took a 2-0 victory against San Diego Loyal SC on Saturday night for its fifth consecutive home victory this season.

Both teams had chances to break the deadlock in the opening 20 minutes with Phoenix’s Jon Bakero flashing a shot wide of the left post after a clever layoff by Rufat Dadashov in the seventh minute on the first good chance of the game. San Diego’s Francis Atuahene then launched a similar long-range effort on the turn from 25 yards but Phoenix goalkeeper Zac Lubin made a comfortable save.

Rising FC put the ball in the net in the 20th minute but Kevon Lambert was ruled offside as he set up a finish for Dadashov. Five minutes later, however, there was no question as Flemmings notched his eighth goal of the season with a ferocious strike from 30 yards that picked out the top-left corner of the net.

Dadashov almost made it two in the 34th minute as his dipping shot from the left side of the penalty area was tipped over the crossbar by SD Loyal goalkeeper Jake Fenlason. Looking for his 40th regular season goal in the Championship, Solomon Asante was also denied by Fenlason before San Diego’s Elijah Martin fired just wide of the left post from long range shortly after.

Just before the hour-mark, though, the hosts doubled their lead through Darnell King. The offseason arrival followed through to the top of the penalty area to be ideally placed for a half-cleared cross by Asante and sent a low shot back to the bottom-left corner that was just out of Fenlason’s reach.

SD Loyal continued to battle, and Tumi Moshobane produced a low save by Lubin in the 62nd minute as the visitors looked to rally. The best chance of the night for San Diego arrived 11 minutes later when Carlos Alvarez got a point-blank heading opportunity off a fine cross by Moshobane, but Lubin made an outstanding low save to keep the visitors scoreless.

Flemmings almost added his second of the night with 15 minutes to go as he took a pass from Asante at the top of the penalty area and spun away from his marker, only for his finish to go just high of the crossbar on what would have been another highlight-reel moment. Asante was then denied twice with 10 minutes to go, first by a goal line clearance by Grant Stoneman and then by Fenlason’s low save after Flemmings had recycled possession in the left side of the penalty area.

Asante had one last chance to find the net in second-half stoppage time that was once again turned away by Fenlason. But while the Ghanaian couldn’t reach his landmark on the night, Rising FC’s home record remained perfect this season as it extended its lead at the top of the Group B standings.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Zac Lubin, Phoenix Rising FC – Lubin recorded a five-save shutout, including a key save in the second half that kept the hosts ahead by two goals, to continue his stellar season between the sticks.