Phoenix Rising FC earned a 1-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Wednesday night at Cashman Field, moving the side into sixth place in the USL Championship’s Western Conference standings after a third consecutive win and second consecutive shutout.

Noble Okello scored the lone goal in the 24th minute, flicking a header home from Hope Avayevu’s fourth assist of the season, and that proved enough as goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky produced a five-save shutout highlighted by a penalty kick denial of Las Vegas’ Noel Valentin in second-half stoppage time.

Here are three things we took away from the contest.

1. Rising’s Patrick Rakovsky stole the show, and the points

Over their prior two victories, Phoenix Rising’s midfield and back line took a step forward in limiting opposition chances, keeping goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky engaged but not necessarily called into action regularly. On Wednesday night, however, the German veteran stepped up when his side needed him most, posting his first five-save performance since the 2023 season that included a crucial stoppage-time penalty stop to preserve a shutout and all three points.

Rakovsky had starred throughout the night. His command of the penalty area in helping thwart 23 crosses by the Lights saw him record three punched clearances and one catch, but it was his shot-stopping that delivered the most. The 31-year-old made an outstanding stop on Las Vegas’ Johnny Rodriguez with 25 minutes to go and another to keep out a screaming effort by Younes Boudadi in the 86th minute. His second career penalty save in the league – and first since another crucial stop for Orange County SC in the 2021 USL Championship Final – topped the performance in impressive style, much to the appreciation of his teammates.

“[Rakovsky] has been in amazing form ever since we started the season,” said Rising midfielder Noble Okello. “He deserved it again and we thank him for saving us once again. We appreciate what he does for this team.”

2. The Lights have reason for optimism after the tilt of the game bit back

There have been times this season where Las Vegas Lights’ defensive structure and style have confounded opponents – see Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Head Coach James Chambers’ comment of, “we felt like we were the home team, and we were the only ones that wanted to win the game,” following his side’s scoreless draw at Cashman Field earlier this season.

On Wednesday, however, the Lights showed how dangerous they can be if given the opportunity. The shift of Daouda Peeters into defensive midfield for his first start in league play allowed Valentin Noel to move further into attack, while Joe Gyau looked a consistent threat on the right flank as the Lights looked to use his speed and skill to challenge Phoenix’s back line. The hosts more than doubled their average shot total of the season, piling up 20 efforts overall, and while 11 of those came from outside the penalty area the way the Lights tilted the field in the second half was a great sign for the games ahead.

Unfortunately, in the same way that the Lights felt like they had stolen some results earlier this season – the club’s 1-0 win against Loudoun United an example when it was outshot 18-7 and logged only two shots on target – this was the night when their fortune went the other way. Ahead of Saturday’s crucial USL Jägermeister Cup game against Sacramento Republic FC, however, we’re feeling much better about Las Vegas’ prospects of contending this season.

3. Rising needed more from its forward line in protecting possession

There were some stellar performances for Rising aside from Rakovsky. Noble Okello was dynamic in midfield and showed off his aerial prowess with the only goal of the game with his broad frame in addition to his height at 6-foot-4 making him a handful at set pieces. But while the visitors were able to hold on defensively, it felt throughout the second half that they needed more from the front line to try and maintain possession to either create a scoring threat or at least relieve the pressure the midfield and back line were sustaining.

The likes of Ihsan Sacko (0 for 3 in duels) and substitute Darius Johnson (1 for 7) didn’t show enough compete to win possession and after Dariusz Formella went off with 15 minutes to go things tilted even further in the Lights’ favor with 41.1 percent of the game played in the Rising defensive third. Three points is what matters most for Phoenix, which is now on its first three-game winning streak in regular season play since late in the 2023 season, but it’s going to need to find more from its forward line to keep its momentum going.

“It’s tough when you have a layoff of 10 days and you’re already in rhythm,” said Rising Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah. “Being able to get out with a win and a great penalty save from [Rakovsky], that just shows the confidence the team has at this moment, but we know we can play better.”