Phoenix Rising FC supporters’ groups Los Bandidos and The Red Fury dressed and assembled a black sea in the south end stand at Casino Arizona Field for this season’s third edition of $1 Beer Night. The players matched, sporting their black kits with copper lettering.

It was the Friday night that Rising FC tied the USL record for consecutive wins in a season, most goals scored by Rising in one match and kept Rising’s undefeated title for Friday Beer Night fixtures intact after a 6-0 win against Austin Bold FC.

Rising captain and midfielder Solomon Asante drew blood first in the17th minute. Asante’s running mate on the right flank, Mustapha Dumbuya, flew down the sideline, overlapping the Ghanaian and played a low cross to Asante. The pass was like a ship sailing against a current, as Bold defenders couldn’t change direction to intercept it. Asante switched the ball to his left foot and found the bottom left corner of the net.

Asante finished the match with two goals and one assist. Both contributions extend the midfielder’s lead for most goals scored and assists recorded in the USL this season. What Asante started was what Rising head coach Rick Schantz preached all week.

“I’d rather be more aggressive and go after goals, then sit back and try to counter,” Schantz said after training Tuesday. “Like I said, they’ve got a lot of experience. And I don’t expect them to sit back very much. They’re very aggressive in the way they approach the game.”

What came next were goals from midfielder James Musa and forwards Adam Jahn and Joey Calistri. Rising’s six goals topped their record of five, which dated back to their win over Tulsa Roughnecks FC June 7.

Rising’s $1 special for Bud Lights at Casino Arizona Field and its all-black uniform statement, combined, bodes a +13 goal differential. 

Jahn, who did not play against Bold FC in their first match in April, said during the week that he wanted revenge. Pay back is what Jahn got, scoring in two straight matches for Rising FC.

In what was a four-point gap at the top of the USL Western Conference standings, Rising’s win puts them even further up the table.

Rising FC will go on the road next to face Tulsa once more, June 27 at 5:30 pm. 

For story ideas about Phoenix Rising FC, contact Drake Hills via email at [email protected]. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake

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