SCOTTSDALE, AZ. – Sounders FC 2 (3-13-2, 11 points) on Friday night played a strong first half against one of the USL’s top clubs, but a second-half goal from Phoenix Rising FC (11-4-5, 38 points) gave the home side a 1-0 win in Scottsdale. The victory moves Phoenix into second place in the Western Conference with 38 points.
S2 held one of the top-scoring teams in the USL scoreless for the first 55 minutes, but a chip from Chris Cortez in the 56th was enough for Phoenix to come away victorious. A misplay on the backline caused Seattle goalkeeper Calle Brown to leave his goalmouth, and Cortez was able to chip it over his head for the lone goal of the evening.