Phoenix Rising FC (11-2-4) extended its unbeaten streak to nine straight games after Ryan Flood and Prince Saydee combined to score a stoppage-time goal and pull level, 1-1, vs. Orange County just before the final whistle last weekend.
The match was the first of a three-game home set to close out the month of August. The goal helped Rising remain unbeaten at Wild Horse Pass, where the club has outscored opponents 29-6 and compiled a 7-0-2 record.
Phoenix now hosts Sacramento Republic – a team riding its own unbeaten streak of six games. Rising has faced Sacramento twice already this season in California and won, 1-0, and 2-1. While Phoenix has not lost a match since June 19, away vs. San Diego, Sacramento's last defeat was to Phoenix on June 26.
"We beat them twice at their place and I'm sure they're extremely motivated," said Rising Head Coach Rick Schantz. "I'm sure they want to prove something to us. They're very, very good. Cameron Iwasa is on fire right now. Formella is a very good player. Their back four are getting organized. This will be a huge challenge."
While a draw would preserve Rising's unbeaten season at home and extend the overall unbeaten streak to 10 games, Phoenix is motivated to get a win in front of its home crowd after tying its last two matches.
Sacramento, on the other hand, could get back to a .500 record and put themselves in a solid position to fight for a top-four seed in the Pacific Division in the second half of the season.
"I expect, after seeing our last two results, Sacramento will come out looking a lot like Orange County did against us last weekend," said Schantz. "We'll be better prepared for that this time around."
Phoenix Rising FC (11-2-4) extended its unbeaten streak to nine straight games after Ryan Flood and Prince Saydee combined to score a stoppage-time goal and pull level, 1-1, vs. Orange County just before the final whistle last weekend.
The match was the first of a three-game home set to close out the month of August. The goal helped Rising remain unbeaten at Wild Horse Pass, where the club has outscored opponents 29-6 and compiled a 7-0-2 record.
Phoenix now hosts Sacramento Republic – a team riding its own unbeaten streak of six games. Rising has faced Sacramento twice already this season in California and won, 1-0, and 2-1. While Phoenix has not lost a match since June 19, away vs. San Diego, Sacramento’s last defeat was to Phoenix on June 26.
“We beat them twice at their place and I’m sure they’re extremely motivated,” said Rising Head Coach Rick Schantz. “I’m sure they want to prove something to us. They’re very, very good. Cameron Iwasa is on fire right now. Formella is a very good player. Their back four are getting organized. This will be a huge challenge.”
While a draw would preserve Rising’s unbeaten season at home and extend the overall unbeaten streak to 10 games, Phoenix is motivated to get a win in front of its home crowd after tying its last two matches.
Sacramento, on the other hand, could get back to a .500 record and put themselves in a solid position to fight for a top-four seed in the Pacific Division in the second half of the season.
“I expect, after seeing our last two results, Sacramento will come out looking a lot like Orange County did against us last weekend,” said Schantz. “We’ll be better prepared for that this time around.”
