LEXINGTON, Ky. — A soaring Lexington Sporting Club side, unbeaten in three straight matches and fresh off a historic victory, is set to host Phoenix Rising FC Saturday night — a club it has never dropped points to.
LSC’s come-from-behind win over Monterey Bay FC was the first of its kind for the Greens. It marked the first time since the club joined the USL Championship that it overcame a two-goal deficit to secure all three points. It previously accomplished the feat once in USL League One vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm on Aug. 5, 2023.
The victory accounted for Lexington’s sixth unbeaten outing over its last seven matches, and its sixth win over its last nine league matches.
By picking up a minimum of one point vs. Phoenix, Lexington will set a club record for most points secured over an eight-match stretch (currently sitting at 16).
Production is coming from all sides of the LSC squad. Seven different players have accounted for the club’s last nine goals (excluding Monterey Bay’s own goal). Four different players logged assists on those nine goals, with Aaron Molloy tallying three helpers and Phillip Goodrum notching two.
Molloy’s heroics through the month of July resulted in a Player of the Month nomination, an honor fans can help award the captain by voting until Sunday, Aug. 9, at midnight.
That stretch has witnessed Mac Hemmi’s side ascend from 11th place in the Western Conference to sixth. Lexington is now only four points removed from third place and nine behind Conference leaders Orange County SC.
In two meetings last season, Lexington bested Phoenix twice by way of two shutout victories. The club from Arizona has not won on the road in 2026 since May 2.
Kickoff from Lexington SC Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET. The match is presented by Team Kentucky.
SCOUTING PHOENIX
Phoenix Rising FC enters play in 11th place in the West, sporting a 5W-6L-7D record with a –1 goal differential. With only one win over its last seven matches, Rising is desperate for a result to right the ship.
After struggling mightily through late June and July, the Phoenix defense has stabilized as of late. The club conceded an average of three goals per match from June 20-July 18, but only allowed one goal in its last two contests, including its first clean sheet since May.
Ihsan Sacko is the man to watch for Rising. He leads the club in goals (9), assists (3), shots (39) and chances created (41). Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky owns a 62% save percentage through 14 appearances with five clean sheets.
SCARF GIVEAWAY
LSC’s friends at Team Kentucky are proud to present National 811 Day at Lexington SC Stadium, reminding all fans to call 8-1-1 before digging.
The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a limited-edition LSC x Kentucky 811 scarf as they enter the stadium.
TOUCH A TRUCK
Kentucky 811 will bring several emergency vehicles for fans to see up close and personal, plus the Lexington Police Department’s Copsicle Van, which will hand out free popsicles. Operators of the vehicles will talk fans through their operations and give them an up-close look like never before.
HOW TO WATCH
For those unable to attend the match, all the action will stream live on ESPN+.
