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Matchday Report: Moar Makes Difference as Phoenix Defeats Sacramento

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 05/30/21, 12:44AM EDT

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Spaniard’s sixth consecutive regular-season game with a goal provides winner in 1-0 victory

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Santi Moar’s sixth consecutive regular-season game with a goal lifted Phoenix Rising FC to its first road victory against Sacramento Republic FC in its history as the visitors took a 1-0 win at Heart Health Park on Saturday night.

Neither side was able to create much in the opening 15 minutes, and the first real chance came to the visitors as Santi Moar moved into space on the left before centering to Solomon Asante at the top of the penalty area for a shot that was blocked away by Sacramento’s Dan Casey. Phoenix looked the more likely to score as the half went on, however, and Rufat Dadashov forced a solid save from Republic FC goalkeeper Tomas Gomez in the 23rd minute with a stretching volley to the right corner.

Sacramento’s most notable chance of the first half came five minutes before the break as Shannon Gomez broke free on the right and centered for Kharlton Belmar. The Grenada international’s first-time shot was blocked by Phoenix’s Tobi Adewole and rebounded to Duke Lacroix, who sent his finish wide of the left post.

Phoenix could have taken the lead in first-half stoppage time as Dadashov was unable to control a free header after a cross from the right by Jon Bakero, but as the second half began the visitors continued to look the more dangerous of the sides as Moar skied a finish just over a minute in. Sacramento’s Dariusz Formella also had a chance to break the deadlock as Phoenix only half-cleared a cross from the left allowing him to control, but Formella’s curling shot aimed for the right corner was headed behind by James Musa.

Instead, the deadlock was broken by Moar, who continued his outstanding start to the 2021 season just past the hour-mark. After a driving run from midfield, Aodhan Quinn fired a low shot toward the right corner that was parried by Gomez, but after Asante won the race to the rebound he slowed and picked out Moar centrally for a first-time finish into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Republic FC looked to respond and almost did with 11 minutes to go as Cameron Iwasa broke forward into the left channel only for his shot to go just high and wide of the top-left corner of the net. There would be no late heroics for the hosts this time, however, as Phoenix saw out a second consecutive victory.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Santi Moar, Phoenix Rising FC – Moar provided the decisive goal to keep his own scoring streak alive and had three key passes and four shots while recording six recoveries defensively.

Scoring Summary
PHX
– Santi Moar (Solomon Asante) 62’

Full Box Score

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