TULSA, Okla. – Phoenix Rising FC is now unbeaten in six consecutive games after earning a 5-1 victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field on Saturday. Didier Drogba got things going and shined brightest for Rising FC, capitalizing on a poor mishit clearance in front of goal in the fourth minute of action and hitting an incredible long-range free kick past Tulsa goalkeeper Fabián Cerda in the 69th minute. While Drogba put Phoenix on the scoreboard first, the team’s lead did not last long, as the Roughnecks found an equalizer in the 11th minute by way of a penalty-kick conversion from Fernando Arce. Tulsa performed well once again this season and maybe should have taken the lead on a few occasions, but Rising FC was the one to find the breakthrough once again in the 66th minute, when Kevon Lambert tapped in the ball from the goalmouth after Solomon Asante’s header bounced back into play off the right post. Rising FC took control after Lambert’s finish, as Drogba hit in his free kick three minutes later, and Kody Wakasa scored a beautiful goal after receiving a perfect pass from Collin Fernandez in the 79th minute. Chris Cortez then netted late to finish things off and earn Rising FC all three points. With the result, Phoenix improves to 6-1-3 on the year, while Tulsa falls to 0-4-5 in 2018.
Scoring:
4’ – PHX – Didier Drogba
11’ – TUL – Fernando Arce (Penalty Kick)
66’ – PHX – Kevon Lambert
69’ – PHX – Didier Drogba
79’ – PHX – Kody Wakasa (Collin Fernandez)
87’ – PHX – Chris Cortez (Amadou Dia)
Three Things That Matter:
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match
Didier Drogba, Phoenix Rising FC – The forward created seven chances and recorded two goals to lead Rising FC to its fourth road win of the season.
Upcoming Games:
Tulsa Roughnecks FC at San Antonio FC – May 19, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field
Phoenix Rising FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC – May 19, 10:30 p.m. ET, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex