Something Special In El Paso | OneFootball

There was something in the air at Southwest University Park in El Paso when Phoenix Rising came to visit. It was beanie giveaway night, quite fitting given the temperature dropped below 50F degrees and there was a brisk, chill wind.

This was El Paso’s second consecutive home game. USL schedulers tend to give the March fixtures to southern franchises where weather is less likely to be a factor. In last week’s draw against defending USL champions Colorado Springs Switchbacks, it took a dramatic 92nd minute effort from Wilmer Cabrera to equalize. This fixture would feature even more drama.

A First Half El Paso Explosion

El Paso started early, with Roberto Avila striking a lovely volley first time right into the net. Phoenix failed to defend properly against the corner and paid the price with a moment of real quality from Avila.

Video will start with Roberto Avila’s goal.

Los Locos would double their lead in the 38th minute. Amando Moreno received a through-ball from Guillermo Diaz simultaneously as Rising keeper Peter Rakovsy came off his line to challenge. They both went down, but miraculously Moreno popped up with the ball at his feet, swiveled and struck the net with his right foot.

Despite the home team’s domination, Phoenix would grab one back in the 48th minute when 6’5″ winger Noble Okello lept over his defender and headed the ball home.

So… game on as they entered the locker room.

Second Half El Paso Continued Domination

El Paso wasted no time after the second half whistle. Avila sidestepped over a defender and drove towards goal in the 47 minute, laying off a cross that was missed by Moreno but struck in by a trailing Gabriel Torres. But the icing really hit the cake in the 53rd minute when a Locomotive corner bounced off Tumi Moshobane up in a looping arc just outside the six-yard box. Armando Moreno mounted his bicycle and delivered a picture-perfect overhead kick to stun the crowd.

Armando Moreno with a stunning bike

The game looked over. It should have been over. But….

It’s Why They’re Called Phoenix Rising

Phoenix, though shaken, never stopped fighting. And their tenacity was rewarded in the 69th minute when Rémi Cabral captured an errant shot from Ihsan Sahko on his left, shifted the ball to his right and fired it home. A Hope Avayevu rocket was parried by Loco keeper Jahmali Waite in the 78th. Sahko would be more accurate in the 80th when he took Avayevu’s pass and drilled it home.

Los Locos were looking shaky; the fans were getting anxious.

Then came the moment that truly made this game special. A shot from Sahko ricocheted off a Locos defender and towards midfield. A slightly hard touch rolled the ball into space, and center back Mohamed Traore stepped up… and… well, just watch it below.

Stunning. Simply jaw-dropping. I cannot believe I’m actually writing that in a game that featured a bicycle kick, there was a more spectacular goal. But there it is.

Well done, Mohamed Traore. Well done, USL (if this nominated for Goal of the Week, hell, Year).