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Phoenix Rising FC Head Coach Juan Guerra has accepted a coaching position with a Major League Soccer side, the club announced today.

The MLS team met the terms of a buyout clause in Guerra’s contract to finalize the deal.

“Juan Guerra will always be part of the Phoenix Rising family,” said President Bobby Dulle. “In his short time as head coach, he helped the club achieve a goal it had been chasing for seven years. We are proud to have had him at the helm during our first championship season. We respect Juan’s decision to embark on a new opportunity and extend our best wishes for continued success to him and his family in their future endeavors.”

Guerra was named Head Coach of Phoenix Rising on August 22, 2022, leading the team to a record of 4-4-1 in the final nine matches. In the offseason, he helped masterfully reconstruct the roster, forging a team that excelled in the playoffs. The team’s skillful play resulted in four straight road wins, earning them the 2023 USL Championship trophy. Guerra ends his tenure at Rising with a record of 20-15-14 across all competitions.

“I want to express my gratitude for everyone that was part of what we were able to achieve,” said Guerra. “I am so grateful for the opportunity I received to come back to Phoenix and win a championship together. Being able to unify the coaching staff, the players and the front office under one culture and one goal was remarkable to see. That is what I want people to remember about my time here.

This was not an easy decision to make. We love Phoenix. We love where we are and my family loves being here, but this is part of the growth and development that the profession demands. It is the path I feel I need to take at this point in my career. As much as this hurts – it feels good to know we are leaving Phoenix in an incredible position. I am very sure the organization will continue to have success.”

Guerra initially joined Rising as an assistant coach in March of 2021, helping the team finish first in the Pacific Division with a Western Conference best record of 20-5-7. Rising FC won its division by 15 points and led the USL Championship in goals (68). Following the season, Guerra accepted the head coaching position at Oakland Roots SC, leading the side to a 6-7-12 record.

Prior to joining Phoenix, the Venezuelan spent two seasons as an assistant coach with USL Championship club Indy Eleven, following a playing career that saw him record almost 200 professional appearances. He earned six international caps and represented Venezuela in FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying. 

Phoenix Rising FC has signed defender Mohamed Traore, pending league and federation approval, the club announced today.

“Rising is a great team and I loved being part of the team last season,” said Traore. “It’s a very good group of guys that had a great season and really made me feel like Phoenix was the right place for me. We’re young. We still have room to grow. The coaching staff is very good at helping us reach our full potential.”

Traore, 21, signed with Rising, on loan from LAFC, on February 28, 2022. The young defender peaked at the perfect time of the 2023 season, starting the final 13 matches, including Phoenix’s four-game playoff run to secure its first USL Championship.

“At the beginning of the season,” added Traore. “It was kind of rough, maybe some injuries or inconsistent play got in the way but with the help of the coaches and my teammates, I found my confidence. I know I can do my job well. Towards the end of the year, like everyone else, I was just focusing on bringing my A game every time I stepped on the field.”

Traore earned Team of the Week honors in Week 27 and 28.  He finished the season with two assists, one of which came in the 90^th minute of the final, in 20 league appearances. Defensively, Traore had 65 clearances and won 31 tackles, both of which ranked third-most on the team despite playing just 1,300 minutes.

“During the final,” said Traore. “From beginning to end, everything – the mentality, how we prepared, the way we showed up after the rough start… I looked around to my left and right and saw the faces of my teammates. They were not there to lose. That stood out to me and really made us all fight to the end. Good memories.”

Traore’s contract with LAFC expired following the 2023 season, which allowed Rising to sign the defender directly for the 2024 season.

Traore joined LAFC in August of 2020 when the MLS side used the top spot in the MLS Waiver Order to sign the defender. He appeared in one match for LAFC that season and was loaned to Las Vegas Lights for the 2021-22 seasons. Traore appeared 52 USL Championship matches for Lights FC, scoring two goals across all competitions.

Traore came to the U.S from Dakar, Senegal to attend Montverde Academy in Orlando, Florida, as a 14-year-old. A three-year honor roll student, he had seven assists, helping Montverde to a 21-4-1 record in his senior season.

Transaction: Phoenix Rising FC signs Mohamed Traore
Name: Mohamed Traore
Pronunciation: Tri-ORE-eh
Number: 5
DOB: August 15, 2002 (21)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 160
Position: Defender
Born: Dakar, Senegal
Last Club: LAFC

ROSTERED PLAYERS (17):
Goalkeeper (1): Patrick Rakovsky
Defenders (6): Eddie Munjoma, John Stenberg, Juan Carlos Azocar, Eduardo Rito, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Mo Traore
Midfielders (8): Panos Armenakas, Carlos Harvey, Jose Hernandez, Gabi Torres, Fede Varela, Renzo Zambrano, JP Scearce, Emil Cuello Forwards (2): Erickson Gallardo, Dariusz Formella

Phoenix Rising FC announced its preliminary preseason schedule today.

Additional matches may be added to the schedule as information becomes available.

The defending USL Champions will face Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers FC in an exhibition match at Phoenix Rising Stadium on January 27 at 1 p.m. The match will be the first Rising home game since October 7. Phoenix won four consecutive road playoff matches to close the 2023 season with the club’s first league championship.

All fans attending that match will be welcomed onto the training field at Phoenix Rising Stadium for a postgame introduction to the 2024 squad. The introduction will include opportunities to obtain autographs, photos and interact with the team in a family-friendly environment.

Rising will remain in Phoenix for training until February 9, when it travels to California for a week of training and a friendly vs. Minnesota United in the Coachella Valley Invitational on Saturday, February 10 (12 p.m. PST).

Rising will return to training in Phoenix and play two final preseason matches at Phoenix Rising Stadium (vs. Las Vegas Lights FC on 2/24 & vs. LA Galaxy 2 on 3/1) before opening its eighth season in the USL Championship against Birmingham Legion FC at home on Saturday, March 9. Tickets for the home opener will go on-sale on Monday, January 22. For more information, please visit PHXRisingFC.com.

Season ticket members have access to two of the preseason home games as part of their season ticket package with the third game added as a bonus, giving them access to all three home games without an additional charge.


RISING PRESEASON SCHEDULE
January 27 vs. Portland Timbers (Phoenix Rising Stadium) at 1 p.m. – VIEW TICKETS
February 10 vs. Minnesota United (Coachella Valley Invitational) at 12 p.m. – VIEW TICKETS
February 24 vs. Las Vegas Lights (Phoenix Rising Stadium) at 7 p.m. – VIEW TICKETS
March 1 vs. LA Galaxy 2 (Phoenix Rising Stadium) at 7 p.m. – VIEW TICKETS

Phoenix Rising FC defender and Captain Darnell King announced today that he will be transitioning into a coaching role with the club for the 2024 season.

“I’ve been lucky enough to do this for 12 years,” said King. “Raising the USL Championship trophy over my head was an amazing way to cap off my playing career. I’ve had so many great memories over the years with all the teammates and friends that have come and gone. The experience has been nothing short of amazing.”

King, 33, started just twice for Phoenix through the opening 16 league matches of 2023, but found his form in concert with a side that went on the claim the USL Championship. The defender earned 17 starts in the final 22 matches of the season, leading the team to a 9-5-4 record in those games. Rising outscored opponents 33-21 in King’s final 17 matches, earning four shutouts and allowing just 0.80 goals per game.

“I’m very excited to transition into a coaching role with Rising,” said King. “To be able to stick around the game and continue doing something I love… I am so fortunate for what the game has given me over the years. I can’t wait to use that experience as a coach – to help the club continue with the success it has enjoyed the last seven seasons. ”

King initiated the process of obtaining his U.S. Soccer Federation “B” License during the 2023 USL Championship season. He even attended Zoom calls during Phoenix’s time in Charleston for the 2023 Championship match in November. The course work for the license is expected to conclude in April.

King spent the last four seasons of his playing career with Rising, racking up 110 appearances across all competitions with four goals and five assists. Defensively, he led Phoenix in tackles won (37) in 2020 and in clearances 110 during the 2021-22 seasons.

“Darnell played an integral role in helping this club achieve a goal it had been chasing for seven seasons,” said Phoenix Rising FC President Bobby Dulle. “His dedication on and off the pitch the past four seasons made him an ideal candidate to step into a leadership role as an assistant coach. I look forward to seeing him grow in his new role, where he can use his experience to lead this franchise to continued success.”

Prior to joining Phoenix, King spent the 2019 season with Nashville SC. He picked up one assist in 21 matches, helping Nashville to the top defensive performance in the USL Championship that season by allowing just 26 goals. King spent the 2018 season with San Antonio FC, where he scored twice with four assists in 32 matches. His 2017 season was spent with his hometown team, Tampa Bay.

Phoenix Rising FC has re-signed midfielder Emil Cuello, the club announced today.

“I want to win a championship,” said Cuello when he initially signed with Rising in February of 2023. “My expectations are for all of us to come in everyday, work hard and believe we can achieve that.”

Cuello predicted the future and then willed it into existence during Phoenix’s four-game playoff run. The Argentine scored back-to-back game-winning goals, the first of which came in the 116^th minute of a 2-1 overtime victory against Orange County on October 28. He followed up that performance by winning a 50-50 ball in Sacramento’s half and then pounding home a shot from 25-yards out to win Rising its third Western Conference title in six seasons. 

“I am very happy to be coming back to Phoenix,” Cuello said. “We are all excited to build off what we accomplished in 2023 and defend our championship. I look forward to reuniting with my teammates, the staff and the fans to do it all over again. Last season we rose, in ‘24 we fly.”

Drafted 19^th overall by the LA Galaxy in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, Cuello, who turns 27 on January 2, made his professional debut on March 2 of that same year, starting and playing 60 minutes in a 2-1 win for LA against Chicago Fire. Cuello appeared in a total of 20 MLS matches for the Galaxy in 2019-20, recording one assist.

“I am full of joy to have Emi back for the 2024 season,” said Rising head coach Juan Guerra. “He showed in playoffs that he is one of the most-talented players in this league. He adds a lot to our continuity from our championship. He understands the way we want to do things, our vision, our culture, and our identity. He will be a valuable addition as we look to protect what we were able to achieve last season.”

Cuello also gained experience in the USL Championship during his time with the Galaxy, appearing in six matches and scoring a goal for LA Galaxy II in 2019. He split time between San Antonio FC and Sacramento FC during the 2021 season, scoring three goals and five assists. Cuello appeared in 22 matches for Sacramento in 2022, scoring twice with two assists.

Transaction: Rising re-signs midfielder Emil Cuello
Name: Emil Cuello
Pronunciation: A-meal Quay-Show
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
College: Southern Methodist University
DOB: January 2, 1997 (26)
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hometown: Orem, Utah

ROSTERED PLAYERS (16):

Goalkeeper (1): Patrick Rakovsky

Defenders (5): Eddie Munjoma, John Stenberg, Juan Carlos Azocar, Eduardo Rito, Alejandro Fuenmayor

Midfielders (8): Panos Armenakas, Carlos Harvey, Jose Hernandez, Gabi Torres, Fede Varela, Renzo Zambrano, JP Scearce, Emil Cuello

Forwards (2): Erickson Gallardo, Dariusz Formella

Phoenix Rising FC has re-signed defender Alejandro Fuenmayor, pending league and federation approval, the club announced today.

“Ale was a fundamental piece of our success last season,” said Phoenix Rising FC Head Coach Juan Guerra. “We’re grateful to have him back. It’s important to create a continuous idea, vision, and culture on and off the field within the organization. I cannot wait to get started working with him again in 2024.”

Fuenmayor joined Rising on December 22, 2022, and was the USL Champion’s most dependable defender, logging 2,534 minutes on the back line in league play. The defender started and played every minute (450) across all four matches during Rising’s playoff run, helping the team concede just three goals in the final 330 minutes of the postseason.  

“Phoenix is a great team,” said Fuenmayor. “It is a great organization. We finished as champions. It started as a team full of new players and little by little we got better. We have a great team and a great group of players. That motivated me to stay another year with the fans who have supported us all year and I believe it will be another great new year together.”

Fuenmayor, 27, spent the first five seasons of his career with Carabobo FC in the Venezuelan first division. Making his first start as a 17-year-old in 2013, he appeared 75 times and scored two goals for his hometown team before joining MLS side Houston Dynamo in 2018. Fuenmayor appeared in 26 matches for Houston in 2018, scoring three goals and helping the Dynamo claim the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Fuenmayor remained in Houston until 2021, adding 16 appearances to his MLS resume before signing with Oakland ahead of the 2022 season. He assisted on three goals in 29 regular season matches while in Oakland, leading Roots in interceptions (60) and tackles won (36). During his time with Roots, Fuenmayor shared the field with two of Rising’s offseason acquisitions, Edgardo Rito and Juan Carlos Azocar.

“It is really nice to be able to reunite with friends on the same team,” said Fuenmayor. “We know each other. We developed a relationship and outside of the field we have a great connection. We are Venezuelan, share the same culture. I’m happy they can come to play for Phoenix because it is a great organization with a great team and great teammates. They will work hard and are great players to have as part of the team.”  

Transaction: Rising re-signs defender Alejandro Fuenmayor
Name: Alejandro Fuenmayor
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160
DOB: August 29, 1996 (27)
Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela
Previous club: Oakland Roots
Instagram: @alejandrof294

PRFC ROSTERED PLAYERS (15):

Goalkeeper (1) Patrick Rakovsky

Defenders (5): Eddie Munjoma, John Stenberg, Juan Carlos Azocar, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Edguardo Rito

Midfielders (7): Panos Armenakas, Carlos Harvey, Jose Andres Hernandez, Gabi Torres, Fede Varela, Renzo Zambrano, John Scearce

Forwards (2): Dariusz Formella, Erickson Gallardo

Phoenix Rising FC has signed defender Edgardo Rito, the club announced today.

“One of the many reasons I wanted to join Rising was my familiarity with [Rising head coach] Juan Guerra,” said Rito. “Secondly, it is a good club. Players speak very highly of Phoenix within the league. This is the right time for me to come to this club. It will help me to keep growing and advancing. I expect to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

Rito, who turns 28 in February, began his career as a 17-year-old with Venezuelan first division side Atlético El Vigía in 2013. The wingback made 39 appearances in his first three seasons in the Primera División Venezolana, scoring one goal. Rito transferred to Patriotas Boyaca for the 2017 season, playing 21 matches for the Colombian side before returning to Venezuela to play 17 games for Metropolitanos in 2018.

Rito came to the U.S. for the first time in 2019-20, playing 34 matches and scoring twice for Red Bull New York II in the USL Championship. He returned to Colombia for the 2021 season, scoring three times in his second stint with Patriotas Boyaca (32 appearances) before joining Rising Head Coach Juan Guerra in Oakland for the 2022 season.

“Rito’s mentality, athleticism, technical ability and understanding of our style of play, make him a massive addition to our roster,” said Guerra. “His ability to go forward and create chances makes him a top player at any level. I am very happy to reunite with him. I am looking forward to seeing him adapts to his new teammates next month.”

Rito made 33 appearances for Roots in 2022, scoring five goals and seven assists to earn a First Team All-USL selection at right back. He played in 29 matches with Oakland and Hartford Athletic in 2023, recording two goals and four assists.

“I would classify myself as a team player,” added Rito. “I’m not one who gets distracted easily. I focus on the end goal. I am best known for my speed. My role is to create chances that result in goals. Every year I gain more confidence in myself and in this upcoming year I hope to have a similar season to what I was able to accomplish in 2022 and finish the year as champions.”

Transaction: Rising signs defender Edgardo Rito
Name: Edgardo Rito
Position: Defender
DOB: February 17, 1996 (27)
Born: El Vigía, Venezuela
Height: 5-5
Weight: 140

ROSTERED PLAYERS (14):
Goalkeeper (1) Patrick Rakovsky
Defenders (4): Eddie Munjoma, John Stenberg, Juan Carlos Azocar, Edgardo Rito
Midfielders (7): Panos Armenakas, Carlos Harvey, Jose Andres Hernandez, Gabi Torres, Fede Varela, Renzo Zambrano, John Scearce
Forwards (2): Dariusz Formella, Erickson Gallardo

PHOENIX, Arizona (December 19, 2023) – Phoenix Rising FC has transferred forward Manuel Artega to fellow USL Championship side, Tampa Bay Rowdies for an undisclosed fee, the club announced today.

“I personally want to thank Manu for his contribution on and off the field,” said Rising Head Coach Juan Guerra. “He is a true leader. He is someone I consider family. I am grateful to him and wish him all the best. I know he is going to do well in Tampa.”

Arteaga, 29, signed with Phoenix on December 13, 2023. The Venezuelan ranked second on the championship-winning side in several offensive statistics including goals (15), chances created (32) and minutes per goal (187) in 37 league appearances. He led the team in shots (66), putting 53% of those on frame. Arteaga came off the bench to play the final 49 minutes in the USL Championship Final, burying the decisive penalty kick in the team’s 3-2 victory on November 12.

Arteaga began his career as a 16-year-old with Zulia in 2010. In five seasons in the Venezuelan first division, Arteaga scored 38 goals in 79 appearances. His final season at Zulia was his best. Arteaga scored 17 goals in 21 appearances, before playing for Croatian, Bolivian and Belgian first division sides between 2015 and 2017. In that time, Arteaga scored two goals in 19 appearances. He returned to the Venezuelan first division in 2017, scoring 27 goals in 62 matches for Deportivo La Guaira and Zamora.

Arteaga signed with USL Championship side Indy Eleven in 2021, leading the club in goals that season with 10 in 32 appearances. The forward netted another five goals and three assists in 2022. Arteaga was capped three times by the Venezuelan National Team in 2011.

Transaction: Rising transfers forward Manuel Arteaga to Tampa Bay

Name: Manuel Arteaga
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 160
DOB: June 17, 1994 (29)
Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela
Previous club: Indy Eleven
Pronunciation: are-tee-AH-ga
Instagram: @ManuelArteaga7


ROSTERED PLAYERS (13):

Goalkeeper (1): Patrick Rakovsky
Defenders (3): Eddie Munjoma, John Stenberg, Juan Carlos Azocar
Midfielders (7): Panos Armenakas, Carlos Harvey, Jose Hernandez, Gabi Torres, Fede Varela, Renzo Zambrano, JP Scearce
Forwards (2): Erickson Gallardo, Dariusz Formella

The defending USL Championship winners, Phoenix Rising FC revealed its 2024 schedule today, kicking off at 38^th St. & Washington on Saturday, March 9 (7:30 p.m.) against Birmingham Legion FC.

Capitalizing on the Spring weather in Phoenix, Rising will play two more times in March (3/23 vs. Oakland & 3/30 vs. New Mexico), April (4/13 vs. Colorado & 4/20 vs. Pittsburgh) and May (5/4 vs. Sacramento & 5/18 vs. Miami) before hitting the road for seven of 11 away matches during the summer months.

Single-game tickets for Rising’s 2024 campaign will go on sale Monday, January 22.

About the 2024 USL Championship Schedule
Each team will play 34 matches in the quest for spots in the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs. The full 408-game regular season unfolds over 34 weeks and concludes on Oct. 26. Great rivalries, rising stars, and compelling storylines have the USL Championship primed for a third straight year of attendance growth after drawing more than 2.3 million fans through the gates in 2023.

The 2024 season will see expansion side Rhode Island FC embark on its inaugural season while North Carolina FC returns to the league after exercising its option to move up from USL League One, where the club played three seasons, including its 2023 title-winning campaign.

The USL also announced today that Rio Grande Valley FC has ceased operations. Founded in 2015 as a development team for MLS club Houston Dynamo FC, RGV FC was granted permission in 2021 to remain in the USL Championship, provided it continued to meet all league and federation requirements.

To maintain two 12-team conferences, Memphis 901 FC and FC Tulsa will move to the Western Conference this season (See format and conference alignment below).

The 2024 USL Championship season will mark the first in the league’s new historic four-year broadcast agreement with CBS Sports, through which USL Championship contests will air on network television for the first time. More details on the 2024 national broadcast schedule and broadcast partners will be announced in the coming weeks.

The season will conclude with a full slate of 12 games on Saturday, October 26, which will feature a blockbuster interconference clash as Louisville City FC hosts Phoenix Rising FC at Lynn Family Stadium. Additionally on the final day of the regular season, the Tampa Bay Rowdies will play host to Indy Eleven and Sacramento Republic FC will face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in what could be crucial in-conference matchups.

SCHEDULE FORMAT AND CONFERENCE ALIGNMENTS
The 2024 USL Championship season will see the league divided into an Eastern and Western Conference with 12 teams in each conference. Each club will play its fellow conference opponents in a home-and-home series for 22 games, and then play each of the 12 teams from the opposing conference – six games at home, six away – to make up the 34-game schedule.

2024 USL Championship Playoffs
At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams in each conference will qualify for the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs, which will kick off on the weekend of November 1-3, 2024. The USL Championship Playoffs will remain a single-elimination format and a fixed bracket format. The postseason will culminate in the 2024 USL Championship Final on CBS on a to-be determined date between Nov. 21 and Nov. 25, 2023.

Phoenix Rising FC has signed defender Juan Carlos Azocar, the club announced today.

“I am very happy to be join the reigning champions of the USL,” said Azocar. “For me it is an honor and a pleasure to share this upcoming year with the fans, the teammates I already know and the ones I will soon meet. You’ll see a player that works hard. I will always try to give it my all for the city, the fans, the families and my teammates families. I hope to be part of a great year and repeat another championship.”

Azocar, 28, began his career as a 16-year-old for Venezuelan first division side Aragua in 2011. Between 2011 and 2019, the left-sided back played 196 matches, scoring 17 goals in the Primera División Venezolana before signing with Armenian Premier League side Urartu in 2019.

Azocar scored two goals in 11 matches for Urartu before joining USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC in 2020. He scored one goal for RGV in just 126 minutes of action during the shortened 2020 season. Azocar netted another six goals in 27 matches for the Toros the following season before joining Rising head coach Juan Guerra in Oakland for the 2022 season.

“I’m very happy to be reunited with Juan Carlos,” said Phoenix Rising Head Coach Juan Guerra. “He is a very talented player that has had a lot of success in this league already. He is also a great human being that understands what it takes to keep standards high. He’ll be an important piece for us on and off the field next year. I am excited to get started working with him again next season.”

Azocar enjoyed a breakout season under Guerra in 2022, scoring 10 goals in 35 matches. He signed with San Antonio last season, playing 565 minutes in league play.

“My most successful season was without a doubt playing in Oakland with Juan Guerra,” said Azocar. “His style of play adapts well to my abilities and showcases the things I can do on the field. Confidence is important. The confidence he provides pregame in the locker room influences a lot during the match. I am happy to be reunited with Juan Guerra again.”

Transaction: Rising signs defender Juan Carlos Azocar
Name: Juan Carlos Azocar
Pronunciation: Azz-o-car
Position: Defender
DOB: October 1, 1995 (28)
Born: Maracay, Venezuela
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160 lbs

ROSTERED PLAYERS (14):

Goalkeeper (1) Patrick Rakovsky
Defenders (3): Eddie Munjoma, John Stenberg, Juan Carlos Azocar
Midfielders (7): Panos Armenakas, Carlos Harvey, Jose Andres Hernandez, Gabi Torres, Fede Varela, Renzo Zambrano, John Scearce
Forwards (3): Manu Arteaga, Dariusz Formella, Erickson Gallardo