Phoenix Rising advance to USL semifinal playoff round after defeating San Diego Loyal

Before their first-round playoff matchup against San Diego Loyal SC, Phoenix Rising FC coach Juan Guerra said this was the team that he wanted to play out of any in the Western Conference. Guerra predicted it would be “a proper soccer game” that would be remembered.

His word proved true as the two teams played in a thrilling affair Sunday night in San Diego to conclude the first round of the United Soccer League playoffs, with the Rising winning 4-3 in extra time on a goal in the 119th minute from forward Dariusz Formella.

The loss marked the final game for the Loyal franchise, as the club is folding and will not play in 2024. San Diego's new MSL franchise will begin play in 2025. With the win, Phoenix advances to the USL semifinal round next Saturday, when it will face Orange County SC at 7 p.m., on the road.

In a game that was expected to be busy on the scoring front with both team’s wide-attacking style, it was the Rising conceding an early goal Sunday with San Diego forward Ronaldo Damus putting it in the back of net in the fourth minute on an assist from midfielder Joe Corona.

But the Rising wasted little time responding with forward Danny Trejo drawing a penalty after a foul by San Diego forward Adrian Perez in the box. Midfielder Panos Armenakas stepped up and successfully converted the penalty to draw it even at 1-1 in the 19th minute.

It was just six minutes later when a defensive miscue from the Rising cost them dearly with goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo getting caught out after a poor play from his backline gave Damus the ball with an open path to goal, which led to his second of the night to take a 2-1 lead.

With the half drawing to a close, Rising midfielder Carlos Harvey launched a long pass from the back half to Trejo, where the ball seem to magically glide in behind San Diego defender Grant Stoneman. Trejo slotted it in from there, going in between goalkeeper Koke Vegas’ legs to tie it up in the 42nd minute to close out a very active first half.

There were 15 total shot attempts, with seven shots on goal, in the first 45 minutes. The game was a bit chippy between the longtime rivals. Referees issued 13 fouls in the first half.

The second half started off the exact way the first half did with a goal within the first five minutes.

But this time it was the Rising who struck first, as forward Dairusz Formella took an assist from defender Darnell King to go up 3-2 in the 51st minute. The ball slightly deflected off Stoneman to go in.

The game appeared well in hand for the Rising until a penalty in the 95th minute by defender Mohamed Traore on Damus gave the Loyal a chance to even the game. Damus put it away in the bottom right to keep the franchise’s hopes of staying alive for another 30 minutes.

Then Formella put the dagger into the heart of the entire Loyal franchise as he made the play of the evening, taking a pass from forward Manuel Arteaga and floated it in over Vargas — who was playing off the line — to effectively win the game.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Rising advance to USL semifinal playoff round after defeating San Diego Loyal