Monterey Bay F.C. Earns Hard-Fought Point Against Phoenix Rising FC in the Arizona Desert
PHOENIX, Arizona (Saturday, April 15, 2023) – Monterey Bay F.C. (2-2-2, 8 points) takes a point back to Seaside after a 1-1 draw against Phoenix Rising FC (1-1-3, 6 points) at Phoenix Rising Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. Alex Dixon converted a penalty kick for the Union, his league-leading sixth goal of the season.
The hosts began the match on the front foot and came close to finding the opener as soon as the 10th minute when the ball was crossed into the box from the right side, but the ensuing snap header was denied by the near post and cleared out by the Union defense. In the 30th minute, Phoenix created a nearly identical chance, but this time the snap header missed all of the woodwork on its way out for a goal kick. Sam Gleadle and the Monterey Bay F.C. combined for a look in the 41st minute of the match, but Gleadle’s shot from the top of the 18-yard box was blocked. Mobi Fehr then poked the ball away from Rising FC to spark another chance for the Crisp and Kelp in the 45+1 minute, but Christian Volesky’s shot from inside the box missed wide of the far post and the first half ended scoreless.
Morey Doner combined with Dixon for a chance inside the box in the 60th minute of the match, but Dixon’s low shot aimed to sneak inside the near post was saved by the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm for a corner. On the ensuing corner, Hugh Roberts II was taken down in the box and the referee pointed to the point for the visitors. Dixon stepped up to the spot for the Union and buried it down the middle to put the Crisp and Kelp on top 1-0 in the 63rd minute. Phoenix would equalize just four minutes later, however, on a header by Kevon Lambert following a corner kick to bring the match level at 1-1. Monterey Bay F.C. came close to breaking the deadlock in the first minute of added time when Chase Boone made a run into the box and floated into the center of the box towards Volesky, but his snap header was saved by the fingertips of the goalkeeper and the match ended with a point in hand for both sides.
Up Next: Monterey Bay F.C. remains on the road next Saturday, this time against Eastern Conference opponent Indy Eleven for the Club’s first-ever match in Indianapolis. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Fans can watch the match live on ESPN+.
Notes:
– Nevello Yoseke earned his starting eleven debut for Monterey Bay F.C. in the match.
– Forward Sam Gleadle exited the match at halftime with an undisclosed injury.
– Missing the match due to injury were Simon Dawkins (knee) and James Murphy (hamstring).
Match: Phoenix Rising FC vs Monterey Bay F.C.
Date: April 15, 2023
Venue: Phoenix Rising Stadium; Phoenix, Arizona
Weather: Clear and 79 degrees
Attendance: TBA
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Phoenix Rising FC 0 1 1
Monterey Bay F.C. 0 1 1
MB: Alex Dixon (PK) 63’
PHX: Kevon Lambert (Erickson Gallardo) 67’
Lineups:
Phoenix Rising FC (3-5-2): Rocco Rios Novo; Daniel Krutzen, Alejandro Fuenmayor (Jose Hernandez 90+2’), Kevon Lambert; Daniel Trejo, Henry Uzochokwu Onuorah (Edwin Munjoma 75’), Gabriel Torres (Baboucarr Njie 52’), Carlos Harvey, Renzo Zambrano; Manuel Arteaga (Jackson Conway 76’), Erickson Gallardo
Subs not used: Patrick Rakovsky, Mohamed Traore, Carlos Anguiano
Monterey Bay F.C. (4-2-3-1): Carlos Herrera; Grant Robinson, Hugh Roberts, Kai Greene, Morey Doner; Nevello Yoseke, Mobi Fehr; Sam Gleadle (Chase Boone 45’), Adrian Rebollar (Jason Johnson 68’), Alex Dixon (Walmer Martínez 90+2’); Christian Volesky
Subs not used: Antony Siaha, Alex Lara, Max Glasser, Jesse Maldonado
Stats Summary: PHX / MB
Shots: 12 / 5
Shots on Goal: 1 / 3
Saves: 2 / 0
Corner Kicks: 8 / 1
Fouls: 10 / 8
Possession: 60% / 40%
Misconduct Summary:
MB: Nevello Yoseke (caution) 35’
MB: Grant Robinson (caution) 66’
PHX: Daniel Trejo (caution) 82’
MB: Ramiro Corrales (caution, Assistant Coach) 90+5’
Officials:
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva
Assistant Referee 1: Karsten Gilwald
Assistant Referee 2: Hunter Zachwieja
Fourth Official: Alan Martinez
