SAN DIEGO – Dariusz Formella scored his second goal of the night in the 119th minute to lift No. 6 seed Phoenix Rising FC to a 4-3 victory against No. 3 seed San Diego Loyal SC before a sellout crowd at Torero Stadium on Sunday night in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs.

SD Loyal twice took the lead through Ronaldo Damus in the first half as the Haitian international opened the scoring in just the fourth minute before scoring his second with 25 minutes gone. Phoenix hit back on both occasions, however, as Panos Armenakas converted from the penalty spot in the 19th minute before Danny Trejo scored his 18th goal of the season three minutes before the break.

Rising FC took its first lead of the game six minutes into the second half as Formella struck home a first-time finish from the right side of the penalty area, but SD Loyal wore down their visitors in the closing stages and were awarded a penalty kick in stoppage time that Damus converted, completing his hat trick.

SD Loyal maintained its momentum into the first period of extra time but was unable to capitalize on any of its chances to regain the lead. That came back to haunt the hosts with a minute to go as a sweeping move from the left flank found Formella in the right side of the penalty area, where he cut onto his left foot and curled the winner into the opposite corner of the net.

Three Things That Mattered

1. In a classic postseason encounter, Phoenix Rising FC was reeling as San Diego Loyal SC poured pressure on in the final 15 minutes to earn an equalizer from the spot by Ronaldo Damus, and narrowly avoided being dealt what could have been a knockout blow in the first period of extra time as the hosts' momentum from the end of regulation carried through the next 15 minutes. When it mattered most, however, Phoenix got back to the movement and passing that had brought the side this far in the game in the first place, and Dariusz Formella was there to deliver. A superb pass by Erickson Gallardo that found Manuel Arteaga in space 25 yards from goal pulled San Diego’s defense out of position, giving Formella time and space to execute, and he could hardly have placed his finish into the top-left corner better to give Rising FC a memorable road victory.

2. Rising FC’s form entering the playoffs had been a concern with the side winless in its last five games, but even as it went behind twice in the first half it never looked like the visitors were out of the game. Taking advantage of an at-times over-adventurous midfield for the hosts, Phoenix’s Danny Trejo and Panos Armenakas were able to break into one-on-one and two-on-two situations to that made the visitors look overall the more threatening as Carlos Harvey put in a stellar display linking play in midfield. A hit right post by Armenakas and missed follow-up chance for Formella that found the outside of the side-netting were chances that in addition to Phoenix’s goals showed the side in much stronger attacking form. Now they must carry that into Orange County SC next week.

3. San Diego Loyal SC gave everything it had, but just couldn't summon one last finish as Ronaldo Damus’ hat trick ended up the first that will go down as being part of a losing cause in USL Championship Playoffs history. With the club departing, it was likely this was going to be the last night at Torero Stadium after Sacramento Republic FC and Orange County SC’s advancement on Saturday night, and long spells it looked like SD Loyal was going to go out a winner on its home turf. As disappointing as the end of the night will have been to almost all assembled in the stands, the culture and play San Diego Loyal SC and the Locals brought the USL Championship will be greatly missed.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Game

Ronaldo Damus, San Diego Loyal SC – The Haitian international recorded just the sixth hat trick in USL Championship Playoffs history but it wasn’t to be enough as the visitors claimed a remarkable victory.

Scoring Summary
SD – Ronaldo Damus (Joe Corona) 4’
PHX – Panos Armenakas (penalty kick) 19’
SD – Ronaldo Damus (Evan Conway) 25’
PHX – Danny Trejo (Carlos Harvey) 42’
PHX – Darius Formella (Darnell King) 51’
SD – Ronaldo Damus (penalty kick) 90+7’
PHX – Dariusz Formella (Manuel Arteaga) 119’

Full Box Score

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