Phoenix Rising FC vs Sacramento Republic FC

April 19, 2025

Rising Rally from Two-Goal Deficit to Earn 2-2 Draw with Sacramento Republic FC

If you were at Phoenix Rising Stadium on a sun-soaked Saturday afternoon, you witnessed a bit of everything: early Sacramento dominance, a spirited Phoenix fightback, and a pair of stunning goals to pull the hosts level in a 2-2 draw that left fans buzzing long after the final whistle.

Early Trouble for the Rising

It wasn’t the start Phoenix fans wanted. Sacramento Republic FC came out firing, dictating possession and finding the breakthrough in the 18th minute when Juan Sebastian Herrera converted a smart team move to put Republic ahead. 

Just 16 minutes later, Sacramento struck again. Dominik Wanner finished off a slick sequence to make it 2-0 and had the visiting supporters dreaming of a road win in the desert. 

At that point, Phoenix looked on the back foot — but this Rising squad has proven resilient before.

Phoenix Strikes Back

The comeback started before halftime. In the 37th minute, Jearl Margaritha curled home a beautiful effort after being set up by Rémi Cabral, injecting life back into the Rising and giving the home fans something to believe in. 

Then, early in the second half — around the 78th minute — it was Damian Rivera who curled in the equalizer, again with help from Cabral’s creative touch, sending the stadium into celebration and completing Phoenix’s rally from two goals down. 

A Shared Point, But Plenty of Heart

By the end, the scoreboard read 2-2, and while neither team could find a late winner, both walked away with something to feel good about. Sacramento showed why they’re a dangerous side, especially early in games, while Phoenix demonstrated fight and character to claw back in dramatic fashion. 

The crowd — around 5,000 strong — was treated to the kind of drama that only a derby atmosphere and a seesaw battle can provide. If you missed it live, the clips and highlights are worth a watch for Margaritha and Rivera’s sumptuous goals alone.

What This Means Going Forward

For Phoenix Rising, this point feels like a building block. They showed mental toughness to come from behind and grind out a result, even if the defensive lapses early on were frustrating. For Sacramento Republic FC, it’s another positive performance on the road — one that underlines their quality and cohesion as a unit. 

Final Score: Phoenix Rising FC 2 — 2 Sacramento Republic FC

Goal Scorers:

Sacramento: Juan Sebastian Herrera (18’), Dominik Wanner (34’)

Phoenix: Jearl Margaritha (37’), Damian Rivera (78’) 

-Jose Perez

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