MIAMI – Ihsan Sacko scored a pair of goals to lead Phoenix Rising FC to a 3-0 victory against Miami FC at Pitbull Stadium on Saturday night as the visitors claimed a second consecutive victory while bringing Miami’s four-game undefeated streak to an end.
Rising took an early lead in the eighth minute when Sacko converted from the penalty spot, shooting to the right corner after Darius Johnson had been brought down inside the box. Miami almost equalized just before the half-hour mark as Mathieu Ndongo’s shot from the left side of the penalty area hit the right post and caromed away to safety and the visitors were able to take their lead to the halftime break.
Phoenix then made a good start to the second half and doubled its advantage just before the hour-mark as Charlie Dennis was on hand to put home the rebound after Sacko’s turning shot toward the right corner was denied by Miami goalkeeper Eloy Room. Miami’s Arney Rocha hit the crossbar from the penalty spot, eschewing a golden chance to get the hosts back into the game with 13 minutes to go after Diego Mello was brought down in the box, but in stoppage time Sacko added his second to wrap up all three points for the visitors, putting home a breakaway chance after a through-ball by Jean-Eric Moursou played him in behind the Miami defense.
Takeaways
Miami FC – The hosts saw their four-game undefeated streak come to an end in a game that saw Miami create enough chances but lack the clinical finishing that marked their two previous wins this season. Arney Rocha’s penalty kick off the crossbar summed up the night as the chance to get back into the game late slipped away.
Phoenix Rising FC – Rising came out brightly for a second consecutive outing and got their reward as Ihsan Sacko moved to five goals already this season with his brace. Phoenix was fortunate at times as Miami missed some good opportunities of their own but came through for a second consecutive win and first road win in the league this season.