Phoenix Sweeps Los Angeles in Exciting Volleyball Thriller!

It was late heartbreak for Phoenix Rising in its 2026 home opener , as Ihsan Sacko ‘s first half wonderstrike was cancelled out by a stoppage time equalizer. Phoenix Rising had been reduced to ten men just before the break, but held on until Nico Benalcazar’s 94th minute strike rescued a point for Orange County. A game of two reds As the final whistle blew at 38th and Washington, both teams had just ten players each on the field.

Phoenix Rising received several first half yellow cards, with Juan Carvajal receiving his booking in the 44th minute for a reckless challenge. Just two minutes and 27 seconds later, referee Cristian Campo Hernandez pulled a second yellow for the forward after he blocked an opposing free kick from close range. “The referee lost it by three yellow cards that nobody understood beside him,” Rising coach Pa-Modou Kah said.

“I don’t know if this game was about the referee or about Phoenix Rising and Orange County, to be fair with you. He was very poor. ” The man advantage allowed the visitors to hold nearly 70 percent of possession after the half-time break.

“It didn’t change the mentality but you’re down a man, what do you do? ” Kah said. “When you’re down a man, you have to stay narrow, compact, which we did.