Editor's Note: We asked team videographer Kyle Davidson for his ten best shots captured in 2018. Below is Kyle's story behind each shot (in the order it appears in the below video).
Editor’s Note: We asked team videographer Kyle Davidson for his ten best shots captured in 2018. Below is Kyle’s story behind each shot (in the order it appears in the below video).
1. One of the goals that I try to keep in mind when shooting for the team is to capture the Phoenix Rising experience, both from the perspective of the fans and the players. On game day, one of my favorite moments to capture is when the starting line-up walks out onto the pitch alongside the mascots. The team is always greeted by a warm and loud welcome from the fans, and this is also a very special moment for the kids who are walking out alongside the players.
2. The moments before the players take the pitch can be a little hectic, as the players are usually scrambling and making their last-minute preparations before the game begins. It is cool to be in the middle of the chaos and capture these raw moments.
3. Part of what makes the atmosphere and culture at Phoenix Rising games so unique is the way that this team has been embraced by the city and its fans. The Red Fury and The Bandidos are among the loudest and most vocal Phoenix Rising supporters, and the energy that they bring on game day is unmatched. While shooting down on the field is a great experience, I often find myself shooting in the middle of the supporters’ sections during games. The supporters’ section is loud and if I did not shoot for the team, this is definitely where I would be watching the games from!
4. Phoenix Rising has a partnership with Jacksons Car Wash where fans can get a FREE car wash after games when the team holds a clean sheet. Following the team’s 2-0 clean sheet victory against Saint Louis FC on September 29th, Woz took it upon himself to remind fans that they could get a free car wash. This was one of my favorite “behind-the-scenes” moments that I captured this season, and Carl’s hilarious turn-to-the-camera says it all.
5. This is my favorite goal that I captured while shooting for Phoenix Rising in 2018. As a kid growing up and playing soccer in Arizona, I dreamed of scoring goals at the professional level and running into the corner and celebrating in front of all of the home fans. It is the coolest feeling in the world to have accomplished this dream in another form and be right in the middle of the action when the team scores, running alongside the players as they celebrate, camera in hand.
6. Joe Farrell’s goal celebration on August 25th against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks was, in my opinion, the best goal celebration from this past season (extra points for using a prop) and this clip serves as a reminder that I need to coordinate better with Joe about capturing his celebrations. Typically when the team scores, I can predict in-the-moment where they are going to run so I can best capture their celebration. Joe’s unpredictable goal celebration left me spinning around with my camera as I chased him back-and-forth behind the goal.
7. On November 3rd, Phoenix Rising provided transportation for hundreds of their fans to the team’s USL Western Conference Final in Orange County. The fans who made the trip to Orange County were treated to a thrilling 2-1 victory, and this goal turned out to be the final goal of Didier Drogba’s career. It was an honor and a privilege to capture this goal and many others over the course of Didier’s time in Phoenix.
8. After shooting for the team for the past two seasons, I have seen first-hand how hard these players have worked to achieve their goal of bringing a USL trophy home to Phoenix. There are not many words that can describe the moment when the final whistle blew in Orange County and the chaos that followed. When the referee signaled the end of the game I joined the rest of the team and the fans in swarming the field to celebrate this moment. It was exhilarating to capture the joy and raw emotion that came with the title of USL Western Conference Champions.
9. Surrounded by fans, ownership, and team staff in Orange County, Phoenix Rising was awarded the USL Western Conference Championship trophy by USL Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis. Didier Drogba led the team in hoisting the trophy for the first time, and it was surreal to be right in the middle of the celebration with my camera.
10. The celebrations carried on inside the locker room and I soon found myself in the middle of the festivities with my camera. The energy inside the locker room was electric; the players were jumping around and singing and dancing. I remember having to carry a cloth to wipe off my lens filter repeatedly. While the team had the USL Championship game to look forward to the following week, this celebration was a perfect way to cap off a hard-fought victory in Orange County and a great 2018 season.
1. One of the goals that I try to keep in mind when shooting for the team is to capture the Phoenix Rising experience, both from the perspective of the fans and the players. On game day, one of my favorite moments to capture is when the starting line-up walks out onto the pitch alongside the mascots. The team is always greeted by a warm and loud welcome from the fans, and this is also a very special moment for the kids who are walking out alongside the players.
2. The moments before the players take the pitch can be a little hectic, as the players are usually scrambling and making their last-minute preparations before the game begins. It is cool to be in the middle of the chaos and capture these raw moments.
3. Part of what makes the atmosphere and culture at Phoenix Rising games so unique is the way that this team has been embraced by the city and its fans. The Red Fury and The Bandidos are among the loudest and most vocal Phoenix Rising supporters, and the energy that they bring on game day is unmatched. While shooting down on the field is a great experience, I often find myself shooting in the middle of the supporters’ sections during games. The supporters’ section is loud and if I did not shoot for the team, this is definitely where I would be watching the games from!
4. Phoenix Rising has a partnership with Jacksons Car Wash where fans can get a FREE car wash after games when the team holds a clean sheet. Following the team’s 2-0 clean sheet victory against Saint Louis FC on September 29th, Woz took it upon himself to remind fans that they could get a free car wash. This was one of my favorite “behind-the-scenes” moments that I captured this season, and Carl’s hilarious turn-to-the-camera says it all.
5. This is my favorite goal that I captured while shooting for Phoenix Rising in 2018. As a kid growing up and playing soccer in Arizona, I dreamed of scoring goals at the professional level and running into the corner and celebrating in front of all of the home fans. It is the coolest feeling in the world to have accomplished this dream in another form and be right in the middle of the action when the team scores, running alongside the players as they celebrate, camera in hand.
6. Joe Farrell’s goal celebration on August 25th against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks was, in my opinion, the best goal celebration from this past season (extra points for using a prop) and this clip serves as a reminder that I need to coordinate better with Joe about capturing his celebrations. Typically when the team scores, I can predict in-the-moment where they are going to run so I can best capture their celebration. Joe’s unpredictable goal celebration left me spinning around with my camera as I chased him back-and-forth behind the goal.
7. On November 3rd, Phoenix Rising provided transportation for hundreds of their fans to the team’s USL Western Conference Final in Orange County. The fans who made the trip to Orange County were treated to a thrilling 2-1 victory, and this goal turned out to be the final goal of Didier Drogba’s career. It was an honor and a privilege to capture this goal and many others over the course of Didier’s time in Phoenix.
8. After shooting for the team for the past two seasons, I have seen first-hand how hard these players have worked to achieve their goal of bringing a USL trophy home to Phoenix. There are not many words that can describe the moment when the final whistle blew in Orange County and the chaos that followed. When the referee signaled the end of the game I joined the rest of the team and the fans in swarming the field to celebrate this moment. It was exhilarating to capture the joy and raw emotion that came with the title of USL Western Conference Champions.
9. Surrounded by fans, ownership, and team staff in Orange County, Phoenix Rising was awarded the USL Western Conference Championship trophy by USL Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis. Didier Drogba led the team in hoisting the trophy for the first time, and it was surreal to be right in the middle of the celebration with my camera.
10. The celebrations carried on inside the locker room and I soon found myself in the middle of the festivities with my camera. The energy inside the locker room was electric; the players were jumping around and singing and dancing. I remember having to carry a cloth to wipe off my lens filter repeatedly. While the team had the USL Championship game to look forward to the following week, this celebration was a perfect way to cap off a hard-fought victory in Orange County and a great 2018 season.
