Losing at home isn’t a common occurrence for Phoenix Rising FC, especially in an unusual circumstance such as Saturday’s 3-2 loss against San Diego Loyal SC.

After a goal was taken off the board in the late second half due to the ball touching an official, Phoenix had too little time and not enough chances to execute the comeback. The goal withdrawal affected the team even after the final whistle,  head coach Rick Schantz said Tuesday.

“Usually our Monday sessions are lively and the guys are ready to get back on the field after a couple days off but you could sense something was off,” Schantz said, during a video press conference. “They were still angry and upset about it. By the end of training [today] I can hear the music now and feel the energy is back. They’ve moved on.”

Next up, Phoenix will play its third straight home game against Orange County SC, currently fourth place in Group B but only five points away from the first place Rising.

“it’s going to be an extremely difficult game,” Schantz said. “We’re playing another team that is playing for their playoff lives. The good news is we tied and lost to them already so I think our players are extremely motivated to show that they are capable of competing at the USL Championship level.”

As the team prepares for a potential playoff appearance, newly-signed Jamaican defender Damion Lowe saw action in Saturday’s loss, playing around 20 minutes. It was the first game action Lowe has seen since November 2019.

“I think he is ready physically,” Schantz said. “I don’t know if he’ll be able to complete 90 minutes but he says he is really happy with how his body is right now. He’s been very good in training, he’s a great professional. He’s fit in well, the guys like him.”

One of those guys, forward Junior Flemmings, plays on the Jamaican National Team with Lowe and continues his dominance in the USL Championship. With two goals on Saturday, Flemmings fortified his Golden Boot case with 14 scores, four ahead of second place teammate Rufat Dadashov and Charlotte’s Dane Kelly.

“He’s [Flemmings] the most competitive human being I’ve ever met,” Schantz said. “He can’t stand to lose anything. When you add that with talent, desire, skill and intelligence you get Junior Flemmings. He and I both know he’s not long for USL. He can play in Europe very easily.”

In the group, LA Galaxy II and San Diego Loyal SC will play on Wednesday to determine second place. Loyal FC (22 points) is above Galaxy II (21 points) by one point.

Phoenix Rising FC (26 points) will take on Orange County FC (21 points) this Saturday, at Casino Arizona Field at 7:30 p.m.