- Phoenix Rising FC crowned the 2019 USL regular-season champion after a comeback draw.
- Mustapha Dumbuya, who joined the USL side in January, has featured in over 23 games helping them to the title.
- The Sierra Leone International a key figure in the Rising side since joining and was part of the side that clinched the Supporters’ Shield on Saturday night after coming back from a 2-0 deficit to tie New Mexico United 2-2.
RECAP: New Mexico United 2-2 Phoenix Rising
Phoenix Rising FC fought from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against New Mexico United in front of over 13,000 fans.
The host outsmarts their visitors as they took the lead in just four minutes of action when defender Manny Padilla swung in a cross from the right flank, and the forward Sandoval produced an acrobatic finish to beat Phoenix goalkeeper Zac Lubin from a few yards out and open the scoring.
New Mexico held that lead through the remainder of the first half and would go on to double the advantage eight minutes after the interval.
From a corner kick, defender Justin Schmidt was able to direct an effort on goal for New Mexico’s second of the night.
However, Champions Phoenix revived their comeback after 73 minutes when defender Corey Whelan fed substitute Joey Calistri, who cleverly beat United’s keeper Ben Beaury for a 2-1 scoreline.
Calistri spoils the hosts’ party and helps Phoenix avoid back-to-back defeats for what would have been the first time since the end of the 2018 regular season.
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