PHOENIX (Saturday, June 20) – Phoenix Rising FC signed forward Alex Krzykos as the fifth academy player in club history, the club announced today. The Phoenix-native is eligible to play for the club this season.
“I was really impressed with Alex’s attitude and his work rate,” said Phoenix Rising FC head coach Rick Schantz. “Our group has taken to him. They call him “the young boy.” He has been very positive. He is always smiling. We decided it would be best for the club to have him with us for the rest of the season as an academy player. Not only will he help us in training but if he does well, he’ll also have the opportunity to see time in matches.”
Krzykos, 17, will register as a United Soccer League Academy Player, maintaining his amateur status. He joined Phoenix Rising FC’s youth side just last month. He began his youth soccer career with Moon Valley SC before spending more than a decade with SC del Sol in North Phoenix.
“It all happened really fast,” said Krzykos. “I was just watching these guys play in the stadium a year ago and now I’m playing with them. I’m still getting over the nerves but it’s exciting. It’s incredible. The intensity is a lot higher than what I’m used to, but I think it is a great place to develop.”
“It’s great to see,” added Schantz. “Until Arizona United and Phoenix Rising and even FC Tucson, there was never really any high level youth soccer for players in Arizona. Now, we are finding there are a lot of very good players in the state. They don’t have to leave to go to Salt Lake City or California anymore. They now have an opportunity to be part of Phoenix Rising and to be a professional. We now have a full youth-to-pro pathway.”
Name: Alex Krzykos
Position: Forward
No. 87
DOB: October 6, 2002 (17)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Birthplace: Phoenix, AZ
About Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix Rising FC is the highest-level professional soccer franchise in Arizona’s history and the 2019 USL Regular Season Title Winners. The club also holds the record for the longest win streak in American professional soccer history at 20 matches. The club is owned by legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, Advantage Sports Union CEO, Alex Zheng, club governor Berke Bakay, and an impressive collection of business leaders and international celebrities. Established in 2016, Phoenix Rising FC is applying for Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion and currently plays in the USL Championship, the largest Division 2 professional league in the world. The team also owns FC Tucson, which brings USL League One professional soccer to Southern Arizona. For season tickets or more information call 623-594-9606 or visit www.phxrisingfc.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook (PHXRisingFC), Twitter (@PHXRisingFC), Instagram (@PHXRisingFC) and YouTube (PhoenixRisingFootballClub) or by downloading the Official Team App in the App Store or Google Play.
PHOENIX (Saturday, June 20) – Phoenix Rising FC signed forward Alex Krzykos as the fifth academy player in club history, the club announced today. The Phoenix-native is eligible to play for the club this season.
“I was really impressed with Alex’s attitude and his work rate,” said Phoenix Rising FC head coach Rick Schantz. “Our group has taken to him. They call him “the young boy.” He has been very positive. He is always smiling. We decided it would be best for the club to have him with us for the rest of the season as an academy player. Not only will he help us in training but if he does well, he’ll also have the opportunity to see time in matches.”
Krzykos, 17, will register as a United Soccer League Academy Player, maintaining his amateur status. He joined Phoenix Rising FC’s youth side just last month. He began his youth soccer career with Moon Valley SC before spending more than a decade with SC del Sol in North Phoenix.
“It all happened really fast,” said Krzykos. “I was just watching these guys play in the stadium a year ago and now I’m playing with them. I’m still getting over the nerves but it’s exciting. It’s incredible. The intensity is a lot higher than what I’m used to, but I think it is a great place to develop.”
“It’s great to see,” added Schantz. “Until Arizona United and Phoenix Rising and even FC Tucson, there was never really any high level youth soccer for players in Arizona. Now, we are finding there are a lot of very good players in the state. They don’t have to leave to go to Salt Lake City or California anymore. They now have an opportunity to be part of Phoenix Rising and to be a professional. We now have a full youth-to-pro pathway.”
Name: Alex Krzykos
Position: Forward
No. 87
DOB: October 6, 2002 (17)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Birthplace: Phoenix, AZ
About Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix Rising FC is the highest-level professional soccer franchise in Arizona’s history and the 2019 USL Regular Season Title Winners. The club also holds the record for the longest win streak in American professional soccer history at 20 matches. The club is owned by legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, Advantage Sports Union CEO, Alex Zheng, club governor Berke Bakay, and an impressive collection of business leaders and international celebrities. Established in 2016, Phoenix Rising FC is applying for Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion and currently plays in the USL Championship, the largest Division 2 professional league in the world. The team also owns FC Tucson, which brings USL League One professional soccer to Southern Arizona. For season tickets or more information call 623-594-9606 or visit www.phxrisingfc.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook (PHXRisingFC), Twitter (@PHXRisingFC), Instagram (@PHXRisingFC) and YouTube (PhoenixRisingFootballClub) or by downloading the Official Team App in the App Store or Google Play.
