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Phoenix Rising FC has transferred midfielder Panos Armenakas to Memphis 901 FC for an undisclosed fee, the club announced today.

“Phoenix Rising holds its values of trust and togetherness in the highest regard,” said Phoenix Rising FC President Bobby Dulle. “In keeping with these principles, we have decided that parting ways with the player is necessary to uphold the integrity of our club. This action underscores our commitment to maintaining a cohesive and positive environment within our team. We remain steadfast in our dedication to our club and supporters as we move forward. We wish Panos the best of luck in his career.”

Armenakas joined Phoenix Rising on June 2, 2023, making his debut the following day in Pittsburgh vs. the Riverhounds. In total, he made 43 appearances for Rising, scoring six goals and adding seven assists.

Transaction: Phoenix Rising FC Transfers Panos Armenakas to Memphis 901 FC
Name: Panos Armenakas
Position: Midfielder
Previous Club: Loudoun United
Height: 5-10
DOB: August 5, 1998 (25)
Birthplace: Newport Beach, California

Phoenix Rising FC has signed midfielder Jamison Ping to a USL Academy Contract, the club announced today.

“I’m really excited to learn and grow from the players,” said Ping. “I hope to absorb as much as possible and improve every day while also contributing to the success of this team.”

USL Academy Contracts allow advanced youth players the opportunity to train and play with the pro side while retaining their college eligibility.

“Jamison is a young and talented player from our academy,” said Rising Interim Head Coach Diego Gomez. “He has done very well in training with us to earn this opportunity to be with the team on a daily basis. I’m excited to see him suit up tonight and potentially make his first appearance for Phoenix Rising.”

Ping first joined the Phoenix Rising Youth Academy in 2020 at the age of 12. A native of Winona, Minnesota, Ping is a central midfielder with versatility to play as a defensive midfielder or striker. He is about to begin his Junior year at Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Arizona.

Transaction: Phoenix Rising FC Signs Jamison Ping
Name: Jamison Ping
No. 31
Position: Midfield
DOB: March 22, 2008 (16)
Born: Winona, MN
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Former Club: PRFC Academy
Height: 5-7
Weight: 135

Phoenix Rising FC has signed midfielder Damien Barker John pending league and federation approval, on loan from MLS Next Pro side, Real Monarchs, the club announced today.

“Damien is a very talented young winger,” said Phoenix Rising Interim Head Coach Diego Gomez. “He is fast, very good in one-on-one situations and he is comfortable playing on either side of the field. I am very happy to work with him again.”

John, 19, is in his first season as a professional with three goals in 841 minutes this season. A native of Queens, New York, John was drafted in the second round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Real Salt Lake (37^th overall).

“I’m really excited to play for the team that won the USL Championship last season,” said John. “I’m looking forward to testing myself at a higher level. It will be a great experience for me. I look forward to making some great memories.”

“The quality of the players on the team is up there,” said John. “This test will be difficult, but I can handle it. Having worked with Diego before, I know what he expects of me. I’m ready to get back to work with him.”

John and Gomez worked together previously at Queensboro FC in 2021-22, where the coach served as a sporting director and head coach for the UPSL side.

John played two seasons for the University of Louisville in 2022-23, appearing in 39 matches with 10 goals and five assists.

Transaction: Phoenix Rising FC Signs Damien Barker John
Name: Damien Barker John (19)
No. 7
Position: Winger
DOB: December 7, 2004
Born: Queens, New York
Former Club: Real Monarchs
Height: 5-8
Weight: 147

2023 USL All-League selection returns to Arizona to feature for Rising

Phoenix Rising FC has signed midfielder Charlie Dennis for an undisclosed transfer fee from the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the club announced today.

“I am really excited to be joining Phoenix,” said Dennis. “I am looking forward to meeting former teammates, the coaching staff and the front office. As one door closes, another opens… I am excited for the opportunity to prove myself with Phoenix Rising.”

Pending league and federation approval, Dennis is eligible to play immediately after signing a new multi-year contract with Phoenix Rising this week. A 2023 USL Championship All-League selection, Dennis led the Rowdies with 64 chances created last season – good for third in the league’s regular season. He recorded 11 goals and three assists while winning 71.4 percent of tackles and making 150 recoveries in a career-best campaign.

A native of Brighton, England, Dennis currently ranks second in chances created for the Tampa Bay Rowdies despite playing just over 500 minutes this season. The newest member of Rising’s squad will be introduced to the media at tomorrow’s availability session at 11:15 a.m. at Phoenix Rising Stadium.

“Dennis is an experienced and proven player at the USL level,” said Phoenix Rising Interim Head Coach Diego Gomez. “He is a box-to-box midfielder that can help in buildup and also provide aggressive coverage defensively. He can score goals and create chances. I am very excited to work with him.”

Acquired by Tampa Bay ahead of the 2023 season, Dennis has 12 goals, four assists and 92 chances created in two seasons with the Rowdies. He played one year with Oakland Roots in 2022 before switching coasts. While in Oakland, Dennis scored four goals and had two assists.

Dennis began his pro career in USL League One, recording 12 goals and 17 assists in 67 regular season appearances with South Georgia Tormenta FC and FC Tucson. He played two seasons of collegiate soccer for Palm Beach Atlantic University after spending his youth career with English side Southampton FC.

Transaction: Phoenix Rising FC Signs Charlie Dennis
Name: Charlies Dennis
No. 12
Position: Midfielder
DOB: September 28. 1995 (28)
Born: Brighton, England
Former Club: Tampa Bay Rowdies
Height: 6-2
Weight: 181

About Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix Rising FC is the highest-level professional soccer franchise in Arizona history. Established in 2016, the club won the 2023 USL Championship as well as the 2023, 2020 and 2018 Western Conference Titles. Rising won USL Championship’s 2019 Regular Season Title and holds the record for the longest win streak in American professional soccer history (20 matches). It is owned by legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, Advantage Sports Union CEO, Alex Zheng, club chairman/CEO Pablo Prichard and an impressive collection of local business leaders and international celebrities.

Phoenix Rising FC plays in the USL Championship. For season tickets or more information call 623-594-9606 or visit PHXRisingFC.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook (PHXRisingFC), X (@PHXRisingFC), Instagram (@PHXRisingFC) and YouTube (PhoenixRisingFootballClub) or by downloading the Official Team App in the App Store or Google Play.

Phoenix Rising FC will host its second $1 Beer Night of the 2024 season at Phoenix Rising Stadium on Friday, July 19, in combination with its First Responders’ themed match, the club announced today. The match will be broadcast live nationally on CBS Sports Network beginning at 8:00 p.m.

“We held our first $1 Beer Night of the season last match,” said Phoenix Rising FC President Bobby Dulle. “Our South end supporters’ section sold out, injecting a ton of energy into the stadium for our team. The fans gave their all for 90-plus minutes and to show our appreciation for them and our first responders, we’re making our next match our second $1 Beer Night.”

In partnership with APS, the First Responders’ game will be preceded by the second annual showdown between Arizona police and firefighters. Gates for the public will open at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to $1 Modelos, fans can secure a ticket for the match starting at just $15 and take part in several First Responders-themed initiatives featuring:

• Fans can purchase $20 Sideline Tickets to the July 19 match to receive a mini Rising soccer ball AND support the local 493 Firefighters Foundation with a $5 donation by purchasing here.
• APS will recognize Arizona first responders who have received grants for new life-saving equipment through their partnership with the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation at halftime.
• FREE First Aid kits will be provided to the first 2,000 fans through the gates.
• James Smith, the singing firefighter, will preform the national anthem.
• Two firetrucks will be on display to hoist the American flag and to create a “splash zone” for Phoenix Rising goal celebrations in the Southwest corner of the stadium.
• Children of local firefighters will join team walkouts, leading up to the national anthem.

Anthony Mock, a Captain at the Phoenix Fire Department diagnosed with Occupational Cancer last year, met with the Phoenix Rising players and staff this past week. Mock, who received his early diagnosis through a program made possible by Vincere Cancer Center, shot a video to raise awareness about the importance of taking proactive steps towards maintaining ones’ health. The video will be shown at halftime of the July 19 match and on Rising’s social media channels.

CHICAGO (May 9, 2024) – U.S. Soccer today announced full match details for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16, which will feature five contests on Tuesday, May 21, and finish with a trio of tilts on Wednesday, May 22. The ledger is highlighted by six contests pitting Major League Soccer (Division I) sides against foes from the USL Championship (Div. II) and two match-ups that will guarantee multiple lower division sides entry into the Quarterfinals.

Matchday 1 will see the lone remaining Division III representative, NYCFC II of MLS NEXT Pro, aim for a third consecutive win against competition from Division II’s USL Championship, this time against a New Mexico United (USL Championship, Div. II) side that bounced MLS’ Western Conference leader, Real Salt Lake, from the tourney on Wednesday.

The round’s opening night will conclude with two “Open Cup After Dark” donnybrooks in the Golden State, another cross-country affair pitting Los Angeles FC against Loudoun United FC in the City of Angels and a NoCal clash between Sacramento Republic FC and the San Jose Earthquakes in California’s capital city.  In between, two more MLS-USLC confrontations will take place – a southeastern showdown seeing Charleston Battery host 2019 Open Cup champion Atlanta United and a battle in the nation’s heartland between four-time Cup champs Sporting Kansas City and FC Tulsa. 

Matchday 2’s fixture list begins at the Crossroads of America with Indy Eleven hosting its USL Championship archrival Detroit City FC in the Round of 16’s only intra-league affair. From there it’s more MLS-USLC action to close out the round, starting with the Tampa Bay Rowdies – fresh off an exhilarating 6-4 extra time defeat of Birmingham Legion FC last night – hosting FC Dallas at the venerable Al Lang Stadium. The round will conclude in the Pacific Northwest where Seattle Sounders FC continue their trek for “one for the thumb” against Phoenix Rising FC.

All matches in the Round of 16 will continue to be streamed live on usopencup.com,  uslsoccer.com, and MLSSoccer.com. This unparalleled access to the tournament ensures soccer fans across the country can watch every action-packed match in the 109^th edition of the nation’s most prestigious soccer competition. Broadcast details for the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final will be announced in the coming weeks.

2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 Schedule | May 21-22

Home teams listed first

Alonso Division

Charleston Battery (USLC) vs. Atlanta United (MLS)

Tuesday, May 21 – 7:00 p.m. ET | Patriots Point Soccer Stadium in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Watson Division

NYCFC II (MLSNP) vs. New Mexico United (USLC)

Tuesday, May 21 – 7:30 p.m. ET | Belson Stadium in Queens, N.Y.

Hakala-Nolan Division

Sporting Kansas City (MLS) vs. FC Tulsa (USLC)

Tuesday, May 21 – 8:30 p.m. ET | Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

Lopez Division

Sacramento Republic FC (USLC) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

Tuesday, May 21 – 10:00 p.m. ET | Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Calif.

Mark Division

Los Angeles FC (MLS) vs. Loudoun United FC (USLC)

Tuesday, May 21 – 10:30 p.m. ET | BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.

Onstad Division

Indy Eleven (USLC) vs. Detroit City FC (USLC)

Wednesday, May 22 – 7:00 p.m. ET | IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

Gonsalves Division

Tampa Bay Rowdies (USLC) vs. FC Dallas (MLS)

Wednesday, May 22 – 7:30 p.m. ET | AL Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Le Toux Division

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) vs. Phoenix Rising FC (USLC)

Wednesday, May 22 – 10:30 p.m. ET | Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 6 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with Phoenix Rising FC Captain John Stenberg being named to the squad for his game-winning goal against Colorado Springs on Saturday, April 13.

In just his second start of the season, Stenberg scored his first goal after Dariusz Formella volleyed a shot into the center of the six-yard box following a corner kick. Stenberg was first to react to the deflection, hammering a shot high into the corner of the goal. The strike was the defender’s first goal since he quieted the crowd in Charleston during the 2023 USL Championship Final.

Back in Charleston, Battery forward Nick Markanich was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after he notched three goals and one assist across two victories against Louisville City FC and Indy Eleven that maintained the Battery’s undefeated start to the season and moved the side to the top of the Eastern Conference.

Currently in his second season with the Battery, Markanich has made a sparkling start to the campaign. A nominee for the Championship’s Player of the Month award in March, the 24-year-old moved into second in the race for the Golden Boot after a standout week for the defending Eastern Conference title holders. Markanich first notched a pair of first-half goals as the Battery ended Louisville City FC’s perfect start to the season last Tuesday night with a 3-2 win at Patriots Point.

He then bagged a highlight-reel finish and an assist as Charleston rallied for a 4-2 win against Indy Eleven at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. A native of Bourbonnais, Ill. who competed collegiately for Northern Illinois University, Markanich had numerous friends and family in the crowd that had made the trip for the game, making the goal and the result all the sweeter.

“It’s always nice to have family there, it was awesome,” said Markanich following the game. “After I scored, I made sure they knew it was for them. I had 30 or so [family and friends] from both Illinois and Indiana [in the stands].”

Markanich earned 83 percent of the ballot to claim the award. The Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Cal Jennings and Oakland Roots SC’s Johnny Rodriguez each received eight percent after each scoring twice in their respective club’s victories over the weekend, with Jennings leading Tampa Bay to a 5-2 result against Miami FC and Rodriguez rallying Oakland to a 3-2 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC.

The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 6 GK – Jackson Lee, Rhode Island FC: The Australian earned a second consecutive selection as he posted a three-save shutout that included a key double-save in the second half to earn RIFC a 0-0 draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

D – Carlos Guzman, Monterey Bay F.C.: The Mexican veteran notched a pair of assists in Monterey Bay’s 3-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday night while completing 56 of 67 passes and winning 4 of 4 tackles and 9 of 15 overall duels.

D – John Stenberg, Phoenix Rising FC: The Swedish center back scored the only goal in Phoenix’s 1-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and was solid defensively, winning 3 of 3 tackles and 4 of 4 aerial duels.

D – Kwame Awuah, Loudoun United FC: The Canadian recorded the assist on Loudoun’s opening goal and completed 29 of 38 passes overall while making seven recoveries, three interceptions and winning 5 of 9 duels.

M – Blake Bodily, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Bodily recorded a goal and assist in the Rowdies’ 5-2 victory against Miami FC on Thursday night and notched three chances created while completing 24 of 29 passes overall.

M – Rodrigo Lopez, Sacramento Republic FC: The veteran midfielder scored his first goal of the season and had five shots and two chances created while completing 78 of 93 passes in Sacramento’s 1-1 draw against FC Tulsa on Saturday night.

M – Florian Valot, Loudoun United FC: The French veteran provided the assist on Loudoun’s game-winning goal and had two chances created overall while completing 56 of 66 passes, winning 3 of 3 tackles and making 14 recoveries defensively.

M – Emilio Ycaza, Charleston Battery: Ycaza played the full 180 minutes across Charleston’s two victories on the week and had a goal and assist in the side’s win at Indy Eleven while recording seven chances created across the two games.

F – Johnny Rodriguez, Oakland Roots SC: Rodriguez scored a pair of goals in the opening six minutes of the second half to rally Roots to a 3-2 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday night and become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.

F – Cal Jennings, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Jennings scored a pair of goals and hit the woodwork in Tampa Bay’s 5-2 victory against in-state rival Miami FC on Thursday night while recording six shots and three shots on target overall.

F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: The 24-year-old continued his stellar start to the season, recording three goals and one assist while recording seven shots and four shots on target across victories against Louisville City FC and Indy Eleven to keep the Battery undefeated.

Coach – Ben Pirmann, Charleston Battery: Pirmann’s side had a two-win week, first defeating Louisville City FC in a rematch of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs before heading on the road to defeat Indy Eleven to remain undefeated this season.

Bench: Duran Ferree (OC), Niall Logue (OAK), Patrick Seagrist (TUL), Ezra Armstrong (NC), Memo Diaz (OAK), Joshua Perez (TBR), MD Myers (CHS)

Rising now has eight players with ties to local high schools    

Phoenix Rising FC has signed five local Phoenix Rising Academy players to USL Academy Contracts, the club announced today.

USL Academy Contracts allow players to train and compete with professional players while retaining their college eligibility. Goalkeeper Skylar Odle, defender Christopher Grote, midfielders Cameron Kobey and Logan Veloria and forward Zachary Smuck have been training with the first team and through an offseason USL rule change, are eligible to be part of the matchday roster this season.

Veloria is a student at Arcadia High School, while Kobey attends Arizona College Prep in Chandler. Grote previously attended Hamilton High School. Smuck attends Barca Residency Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona. Isaiah Kaakoush, who Rising signed in January, also attended the Barca Residency Academy. He is currently in Spain training with the FC Barcelona Academy. JP Scearce (Chaparral), Jose Andres Hernandez (Maryvale) and Ryan Flood (Corona del Sol) also attended local high school before signing with Phoenix Rising.
​
“Each of these players has earned this opportunity through solid performances in the academy environment,” said Rising head coach Danny Stone, who also attended Corona del Sol high school in the 90’s. “This is important in merging our youth system and the professional side of the club. These players that have earned the opportunity to work with the first team are not only high-level players. They aid in what we’re able to do in first team training.

“These players development,” added Stone. “Led by Andy Chapman, David Shaw, Rafa Sifuentes and the rest of the Phoenix Rising Academy staff, is bolstered by this opportunity to be pushed, stretched and forced to have to adapt to a professional way of working.”

During the offseason, the USL Competition Committee passed an initiative allowing clubs to include two players under the age of 18 in the gameday roster. Those players do not count against the standard 18-man squad.

“This is a great opportunity for these players to gain the experience of what it is like to be a professional athlete,” said Stone. “When points are on the line it becomes a bridge from the academy to pro and on gamedays, from a pro training environment to a pro matchday experience. This can only add to them as players, as people, in whatever their journey ends up being.”​

Transaction: Rising signs Skylar Odle, Zachary Smuck, Logan Veloria, Christopher Grote and Cameron Kobey to USL Academy Contracts

Name: Skylar Odle
Position: Goalkeeper
Former Club: Phoenix Rising Academy
College: Uncommitted
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
DOB: January 16, 2005
Birthplace: Manhattan, Kansas
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Name: Zachary Smuck
Position: Forward
Former Club: Barca Residency
College: UC-Irvine
Height: 6-2
Weight: 175
DOB: February 18, 2006
Birthplace: Thousand Oaks, California
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California

Name: Logan Veloria
Position: Midfielder
Former Club: Phoenix Rising Academy
College: Uncommitted
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
DOB: May 8, 2006
Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Name: Christopher Grote
Position: Defender
Former Club: Phoenix Rising Academy
College: Uncommitted
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
DOB: June 8, 2006
Birthplace: Oak Park, Illinois
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona

Name: Cameron Kobey
Position: Midfielder
Former Club: Phoenix Rising Academy
College: Uncommitted
Height: 6-0
Weight: 155
DOB: June 17, 2006
Birthplace: Chandler, Arizona
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona