PHOENIX – Prince Saydee scored the equalizer in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Phoenix Rising FC grabbed a late 1-1 draw with Orange County SC on Saturday night at Wild Horse Pass after Mikko Kuningas had given the visitors a first-half lead.

Looking to get its season back on track, Orange County opened brightly and almost took the lead in the seventh minute when Ronaldo Damus played a to Brian Iloski in the right side of the penalty area before going to hunt for a low cross that was delivered by intercepted by Phoenix goalkeeper Andre Rawls. Iloski set up another chance moments later, but Brent Richards fired his shot well over the crossbar.

Phoenix’s first good chance came in the eighth minute as Tate Schmitt played Aodhan Quinn into the left channel, setting up the midfielder for a chipped finish that almost got past OCSC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky just clawed wide of the post, denying Quinn a goal against his former club. Santi Moar also threatened for the hosts in the 24th minute with a long-range shot that went wide of the left post, while Solomon Asante fired a low shot from the top-right edge of the penalty area just past the half-hour mark that forced a low save from Rakovsky.

The visitors took the lead in the 32nd minute, however, as Iloski cut in from the right flank and played a lateral ball to his left that found Kuningas, and the Finn’s shot from 25 yards appeared to take a deflection that left Rawls stranded as the ball in the back of the net. Phoenix quickly picked back up with the aim of leveling before the break, and both Asante and Joey Farrell had efforts deflected off target by the visitors before a header by Kevon Lambert as Rising FC continued to recycle possession after a corner kick went just over the top-right corner of the net.

Orange County almost grabbed a second inside the opening minute of the second half as Okoli stole possession on the left side next to the penalty area and quickly cut inside only for his shot to miss at the near post. Damus then had a golden opportunity in the 58th minute as he was sent on a breakaway by a threaded pass from Tommy McCabe but the Haitian international sent his shot just wide of the right post as Rawls came out to challenge.

Phoenix continued its pursuit of an equalizer as the second half went on, and with 16 minutes to go substitute Joey Calistri fired an effort to the right corner that Rakovsky was equal to, punching away. Rakovsky then came to claim a dangerous cross from the right by Asante in the middle of a crowd a few minutes later, while with three minutes to go Farrell headed just wide of the left post for the hosts after a free kick from the left by Quinn.  

Just as it appeared time might run out on the hosts, however, Saydee provided the finish Rising FC had sought as Ryan Flood’s angled cross from the left side was flicked on by Farrell to allow the Liberian forward to stab home a finish into the roof of the net from close range in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Saydee then almost grabbed a winner two minutes later as Rakovsky made a point-blank save, and the goalkeeper had to come up with one final save to deny Moar, but Orange County managed to hold on for a point after being denied victory late.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Patrick Rakovsky, Orange County SC – Rakovsky recorded a six-save performance to allow his side to come away with a draw and also made four catches and two punched clearances.

Scoring Summary
OC – Mikko Kuningas (Brian Iloski) 32’
PHX – Prince Saydee (Joey Farrell) 90+6’

Full Box Score