PHOENIX – The anticipation for the first USL Cup Playoffs contest in the history of the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex had built throughout the week, and on Friday night Phoenix Rising FC welcomed a club-record crowd of 7,511 that packed into the venue for the club’s clash with the Portland Timbers 2 in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Those fans didn’t go home disappointed as goals by Didier Drogba, Jason Johnson and Solomon Asante led the hosts to a 3-0 victory for the first postseason win in Rising FC history and a place in the Western Conference Semifinals next weekend against either Sacramento Republic FC or the Swope Park Rangers. After a season that has seen the fans lift the club regularly at home, Rising FC Head Coach Rick Schantz paid tribute to the supporters on hand after the game.
“The crowd was unbelievable,” said Schantz. “The fans have supported us all week long. The least we can do, and I told the players, is just to die on the field tonight and I thought that everybody gave 100 percent. We committed to the cause and we had guys out there that weren't really 100 percent fit but it's playoffs.”
Here are some of the sights and sounds from a historic night in Rising FC’s history.
The first USL Cup Playoffs contest in the history of the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex brought a club-record crowd of 7,511 to see the hosts walk the red carpet before taking a 3-0 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Good luck to @PHXRisingFC as they begin their playoff run tonight at home! #RisingAsOne #AllAZ pic.twitter.com/isgsEZbpb6
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 19, 2018
Something special in the air tonight. If you don’t have anything planned come out and watc @PHXRisingFC play in the playoffs. #UpRIsing pic.twitter.com/ioRWWwZcpm
— Patrick Donahue (@cityofpatrick) October 20, 2018
Ready to win this, @PHXRisingFC!?! #UpRising #LetsDoThis #BestSeatsInTheHouse pic.twitter.com/LMNJ1U24PR
— Meghan Bingle Molloy (@meghanbingle) October 20, 2018
Holy @didierdrogba @PHXRisingFC what a goal & shot from the GOAT pic.twitter.com/olBemfPLOC
— Kenny and Crash (@KennyAndCrash) October 20, 2018
I will never forget this moment. Such an important goal! Thank you, @didierdrogba for being such a big part of our team!! @PHXRisingFC pic.twitter.com/URFRJ8R2BM
— Heather Bajc (@hsbajc) October 20, 2018
This 3-0 lead is @petewentz approved. #UpRising pic.twitter.com/TlR0D40Op1
— (x)-Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) October 20, 2018
My son and my first @PHXRisingFC game, playoff game at that. AMAZING experience. Can’t wait to go back! pic.twitter.com/qcLqScHBnt
— Fito Flores (@FitoFlores23) October 20, 2018
First ever soccer match in person and it was absolutely incredible and so much fun. Great win, Rising! We will be back! @PHXRisingFC pic.twitter.com/akSsR54LKe
— 2-4-0 (@NicholasB40) October 20, 2018
@PHXRisingFC @c_cortez88 thank you for signing my hat!! Thank you Phoenix for the amazing game!#keeprising pic.twitter.com/FOH8dUkalf
— Gerardo Sanchez (@dkdknight) October 20, 2018
The flag is up !!!! Let's gooooooo @PHXRisingFC !!!! #UPrising !!!! pic.twitter.com/Conmy1cVI4
— Aric Epperson (@WRETCHEDPIGGY) October 20, 2018
Great crowd at tonight’s @PHXRisingFC playoff game...and the game hasn’t even started yet!#RisingAsOne #UpRising pic.twitter.com/SWgEiK50BD
— Bauer (@MikeJackBauer) October 20, 2018
Alright @PHXRisingFC ... let’s do this! pic.twitter.com/s4ffULkg47
— Kyle Campos (@kcampos) October 20, 2018
This. Just. Happened!!!! @didierdrogba @PHXRisingFC A goal fit for a king!!! #kingdrogba pic.twitter.com/wPZr6w9bmh
— Boone Brady (@b_rad_y) October 20, 2018
Thank you soooooooooo much @PHXRisingFC @didierdrogba @reggae_j11 & @Asante208 I am so proud of you all, the team came out to win and you never gave up! #somuchloveupinhere #bestteam #myteam #lovelovelove @RickSchantz1 @Dalynotes & Cory....hell ya!!!!!
— Mon McP (@MonMcP65) October 20, 2018
Man I love these @PHXRisingFC!!! WHAT A MATCH!! And we ain't done yet! pic.twitter.com/PkZrxTcY0v
— Brandon (@SeeBeeJay) October 20, 2018
That was seriously so much fun! My throat hurts from yelling with excitement! @PHXRisingFC #UpRising #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/wvc8jINPQV
— J'nay McDonald (@JnayMcDonald) October 20, 2018
This is only the beginning!! pic.twitter.com/BCkbU5VkjS
— Los Bandidos (@BandidosPHX) October 20, 2018
Teeeeeaaaam @PHXRisingFC pic.twitter.com/GV43BZmwx4
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) October 20, 2018
.@PHXRisingFC receive a hero's welcome to their playoff match against T2#PHXvPOR pic.twitter.com/l7ujH9AgLm
— Firebird Soccer (@firebirdsite) October 20, 2018
The boys are getting ready. @PHXRisingFC about to get some playoff action.
— Kenny and Crash (@KennyAndCrash) October 20, 2018
Before the game we caught up with @Jaye_Dal on Facebook Live. https://t.co/yATzhqyhRS pic.twitter.com/LKKo9bfOHi
Great seats and a great night for #playoffsoccer @PHXRisingFC #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/WolFUEsJOl
— Zach (@ZPSunDevil85) October 20, 2018
We interrupt your regularly-scheduled Friday night plans to bring you a Didier Drogba playoff goalpic.twitter.com/vYOR4ghv2N
— COPA90 US (@COPA90US) October 20, 2018
Congrats to @PHXRisingFC on their first playoff win! Great time as always. pic.twitter.com/xA8ekq6r8i
— Kyle Payne (@KylePayne_28) October 20, 2018
“That’s the loudest I’ve heard this stadium. Ever.”
— ABC15 Sports (@abc15sports) October 20, 2018
-@PHXRisingFC keeper Carl Woszczynski was excited to play in (and win) his team’s first-ever home playoff game tonight. pic.twitter.com/pgEGWSGwSY
I’m so proud of @PHXRisingFC and every single fan that came out tonight! We laid the smack down tonight on Portland, and all three goals were amazing by @didierdrogba @reggae_j11 and @Asante208! Seriously guys, you made the entire state proud! #RisingAsOne #UpRising
— Andrew Southwick (@RedBeardedRed) October 20, 2018
Such an amazing night with a #win. I dedicate it to the numerous @PHXRisingFC supporters/fans, @RedFuryPHX @BandidosPHX @Hawksfans48 @sundayoliseh @JoeDebrah989 @didierdrogba @WAFAcademySC @USL @BkmChelseaFc @ghanafaofficial @PFAGofficial pic.twitter.com/t2S5BgPhyH
— solomon (@Asante208) October 20, 2018
Last night, the king spoke. pic.twitter.com/FsXWkYSWuW
— NikPictures.com (@nikpennington) October 20, 2018