Phoenix Rising takes its second to last trip to California this weekend to face Monterey Bay FC after earning seven of a possible nine points through its last three matches. The last time the two sides met, Rising rallied from a second-half deficit to earn a 3-2 victory at Phoenix Rising Stadium.
In that match, Dominique Badji scored his first league goal for the club, while Kelvin Arase netted the equalizer before a late own goal forced by Conrad Ambursley secured the win and Rising’s 100th regular-season home victory. Phoenix now holds a 3-3-2 all-time record against Monterey Bay and will look to tip the all-time series in its favor this weekend.
“The group is feeling good and with these last few games left, we as a team know what we’re fighting for,” Flores said. “We’re staying motivated and feeling good going forward.”
GAMEDAY INFORMATION –
WHAT: Phoenix Rising at Monterey Bay FC
WHEN: Saturday, September 5 (7:00 p.m. PT)
WHERE: Cardinale Stadium (Seaside, CA)
HOW TO WATCH: Golazo, AZFS (3TV), ESPN+, Rising Radio (English)
SHARED SUCCESS
Rising has found the back of the net 31 times this season, with contributions coming from throughout the roster. Ihsan Sacko leads the way with 12 goals, while more than 10 different players have scored for Rising this season. Danny Flores added his first goal for the club in Saturday’s win over Indy Eleven, while Dominique Badji’s opener was named one of the top four goals of the week.
Juan David Torres also made his attacking debut, adding another option to an attack that continues to find ways to create. With Rising now unbeaten in its last three matches and sitting just two points outside the Western Conference playoff positions, that attacking depth could prove crucial down the final stretch.
“The message is similar through the past three games, ‘next game, next game,’” Virk said. “We’re in a position where we know we’ve picked up seven of the last nine (points), that’s good form, but doesn’t mean we’ve accomplished anything and we still know where we want to be and now our focus is on Monterey.”
MOMENTUM AT MONTEREY
Entering its next match on a three-game unbeaten streak, earning seven points across its last three matches, the recent run has showcased Rising’s ability to find results in different ways, including battling back from a two-goal deficit to earn a point on the road against Sacramento Republic FC before securing a 2-1 victory over Indy Eleven at home.
With the playoff race tightening, Rising’s recent form and ability to fight through adversity have the club building momentum at a crucial point in the season, as the team looks to carry that confidence into another important matchup. Every point is becoming increasingly valuable in Rising’s playoff push, making the club’s recent run of results even more important as the regular season winds down.
“We’re focused on ourselves and how we are going to play and how we are going to win the match,” Flores said. “We are going in with the same mentality as always which is to walk away with three points.”
BATTLING AT THE BAY
Rising heads to California to face a Monterey Bay FC side currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 4-14-5 record and 17 points. Monterey Bay has struggled to find consistency throughout the season, entering Saturday’s match without a win in its last five matches (0-3-2), but showed its ability to compete in its most recent outing with a 1-1 draw against Sacramento Republic at Cardinale Stadium.
Monterey Bay took the lead just before halftime before Sacramento found a late equalizer to split the points. Despite its position in the standings, Monterey Bay has been more competitive at home, posting a 4-5-2 record at Cardinale Stadium this season. Forward Paul Gindiri leads the club with five goals.
“You’ve got to respect the opponent you play,” Virk said. “This game will humble you very quickly if you don’t. So the same work rate, the same mindset and the same mentality that we’ve had against Sacramento, against Colorado, against Indy – I don’t think we’re in a position to get complacent.”
