PHOENIX – Charlie Dennis scored the only goal as Phoenix Rising FC took a 1-0 victory against San Antonio FC at Phoenix Rising Stadium to close in on a postseason berth as San Antonio’s struggles in front of goal continued.

Dennis threatened early on for Rising with a long-range shot that was parried away by SAFC goalkeeper Richard Sanchez, but less than a minute later the English playmaker found the net as he spun past a defender inside the penalty area after a feed by Darius Johnson and lifted his finish home.

San Antonio almost leveled just past the half-hour mark on a designed set play that saw Jimmy Medranda volley a corner kick by Jorge Hernandez to the top of the penalty area just wide of the right post. Phoenix almost added to its lead in spectacular fashion in the second half, meanwhile, as Jean Moursou almost capitalized on turning over possession at the halfway line, only for his attempted chip of the goalkeeper to go wide of the left post. But SAFC was unable to register a shot on target in the second half, allowing the hosts to see out the result.

Takeaways

Phoenix Rising FC: The hosts moved into fifth place in the West as they recorded consecutive wins for the first time since June, and still have an outside chance of moving into the top four with victory in their finale on the road in Pittsburgh.

San Antonio FC: The visitors scoring drought continued for a fifth consecutive game as it mustered only 0.27 Expected Goals on five shots, forcing only one save from Phoenix’s Patrick Rakovsky.

Key moment

Charlie Dennis’ seventh goal of the season delivered all three points for the hosts as its defense put in a stellar display for a second consecutive shutout.

Key stat

San Antonio’s scoreless streak is now at 474 minutes since it last found the net in its last victory on September 20 against Orange County SC.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Charlie Dennis, Phoenix Rising FC – The English playmaker recorded the only goal of the game and had three shots on target out of five overall while completing 26 of 30 passes for the hosts.

Scoring Summary
PHX – Charlie Dennis (Darius Johnson) 11’