Match Preview

MATCHDAY 20: Phoenix Rising FC at Hartford Athletic
Watch Party: Walter Station – 4056 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034, United States
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Streaming: CBS Sports Network | Rising Radio (audio only: English) 

WATCH PARTY
Join us at Walter Station for the official Phoenix Rising Watch Party and experience the excitement firsthand.

Phoenix Rising travels to face Hartford Athletic, Friday, July 26th. That match will be streaming live on CBS Sports Network at 4:30 p.m.

Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to WIN FOUR (4) PREMIUM TERRACE TICKETS to the upcoming Phoenix Rising vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies match on August 10th.

MATCHDAY 19: Phoenix Rising FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC
Location: Phoenix Rising Stadium at 38th St./Washington
Time: 8:00pm (Gates open at 6:30 p.m.)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Streaming: Rising Radio (audio only: English & Spanish) 

**Stay Hydrated: Two unopened clear 20oz water bottles are allowed – per person**

GATE GIVEAWAY
Phoenix Rising is celebrating First Responders this weekend with activations across the stadium including multiple fire trucks in the concourse and a pre-game police versus firefighters soccer match. The stadium gates will open 1.5 hours before kickoff at 6:30 p.m.
FREE First Aid kits will be provided to the first 2,000 fans through the gates.

PREVIEW
Phoenix Rising FC (5-7-6) hosts El Paso Locomotive FC (3-12-3) in the club’s only July home match at 38^th St/Washington this Friday at 8 p.m. Looking to harness the energy of a $1 Beer Night, Phoenix aims to rebound from a two-game away skid against a Locomotive FC side that is 1-4-1 in its last six games.

Rising is coming off a bye week. It last played San Antonio to a 2-1 decision away on July 6. Earlier today it was bolstered by the addition of midfielder Charlie Dennis, a 2023 USL Championship All-League selection, who came over in a transfer from Tampa Bay Rowdies.

PHOENIX RISING FC APP
Before you do anything, be sure to download the PRFC app. Not only is this your ticket into the game, it also has everything you’ll need on gameday, including stadium rules, maps, news, stats and more. Click the link below to get started.

LIGHT RAIL
Rising fans can catch Valley Metro Rail, with their fare covered at any of the 41 stations across the Valley, leaving any worries about traffic and parking behind. Match tickets will double as valid light rail fare on the day of the event four hours prior to the start of the event, through the end of the transit day.

TRANSPORTATION
We’ve got great guides on transit options, the quickest routes and the best parking at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Take the time to review your route and plan to leave early to take the stress out of your gameday commute.

FOOD TRUCK LINEUP
Starting on the north side of the stadium and moving counter clockwise: AZ Lemonade, Bahama Bucks, Chewks Cookies, Cheesesteak &. Cheese, Mama Lola’s, Donut NV, Re di Roma, Aioli Gourmet Burgers, and Copperstate.

Season Member discount will be available at all container bars, Copperstate Truck and Aiolo Gourmet Burgers.

$1 BEER NIGHT
Dollar Beer Night is back. Pick up 12 oz. Modelos across the stadium for just $1 apiece (limit four per transaction). 

RECENT POSTS

Match Preview Presented by Mayo Clinic

Phoenix Rising FC (5-7-6) hosts El Paso Locomotive FC (3-12-3) in the club’s only July home match at 38^th St/Washington this Friday at 8 p.m. Looking to harness the energy of a $1 Beer Night, Phoenix aims to rebound from a two-game away skid against a Locomotive FC side that is 1-4-1 in its last six games.

Rising is coming off a bye week. It last played San Antonio to a 2-1 decision away on July 6. Earlier today it was bolstered by the addition of midfielder Charlie Dennis, a 2023 USL Championship All-League selection, who came over in a transfer from Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Dennis, a 6-2 midfielder, has created two chances per appearance this season despite playing just over 500 minutes for the Rowdies. Dennis arrived in Phoenix on Tuesday and trained for the first time with Rising on Wednesday morning. He is eligible for selection vs. El Paso on Friday.

Phoenix and El Paso played to a 1-1 draw in El Paso just over a month ago. Since then, El Paso has lost three straight while Phoenix has gone 0-2-1.

Despite the midseason dip, Phoenix looked strong in its last home game – a 0-0 draw in a rematch of the 2023 USL Championship Final vs. Charleston on June 22. Phoenix outshot Charleston 12-8 in that game while Rocco Rios Novo collected his fourth shutout by making four saves.

MATCHDAY 18: Phoenix Rising FC at San Antonio FC
Watch Party: Pour Decisions – 4209 N Craftsman Ct, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Time: 6:00 p.m.
TV: Arizona’s Family (channel 44)
Streaming: ESPN+ | Rising Radio (audio only: English) 

WATCH PARTY
Join us at Pour Decisons for the official Phoenix Rising Watch Party and experience the excitement firsthand.

Phoenix Rising travels to face San Antonio FC, Saturday, July 6th. That match will be broadcast live on Arizona’s Family Sports Network and streamed on ESPN+ at 6:00 p.m.

Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to WIN FOUR (4) PREMIUM TERRACE TICKETS to the upcoming Phoenix Rising vs. El Paso Locomotive FC match on July 19th.

Match Preview Presented by Mayo Clinic

Phoenix Rising FC (5-6-6) is back on the road this Saturday, July 6, traveling to San Antonio. The match will be broadcast live on Arizona’s Family Sports beginning at 6:00 p.m. local time.

It has been an eventful week for Rising, as the club parted ways with its head coach over the weekend and named assistant coach Diego Gomez interim head coach. Gomez has experience in coaching roles in different leagues, but this will be his first opportunity to lead a team in the USL Championship.

“I’m very thankful to Danny [Stone] for the opportunity, the way he behaved with me, for the confidence, and for how he was with me,” said Gomez. “Now, as a group, all of the players and the staff are looking to be competitive, to rise in the standings, and to raise our level of play. I see a group that is hungry, and I’m personally hungry — I want to win Saturday, and I want to do well for this club, the staff, and this group of players.”

Rising has struggled to pick up meaningful points in its last ten games, with a 3-2-5 record. Its difficulties have largely been on the offensive side of the ball, while its defense has been relatively staunch, recording five shutouts so far this season, averaging 1.06 goals for and 1.24 goals against in 2024.

San Antonio has had similar struggles on a much larger scale to start the season and is currently on a five-game losing streak, during which it has conceded 10 goals. All this after starting the season 4-3-5.

“San Antonio is not in good form right now, but we know the capacity of the team,” said Gomez. “It’s a team that historically has been one of the top teams in the league, and it’s a stadium that is very difficult to go and get points. It’s a team that is going to be tough, will make the game hard, that’s going to press you and win duels, but we feel confident that we can come out with our tools and go and get three points.”

San Antonio (4-8-5) currently sits second to bottom in the Western Conference standings, 14 points out of first place. They matched up against the Western Conference leaders last weekend and nearly stole a point in a 2-3 result that saw forward Juan Agudelo tally a brace with goals in the 34th and 37th minute. Up 2-1 and up a man, San Antonio saw its lead disappear with New Mexico scoring just before half and converting a penalty kick early in the second half to collect all three points.

Rising will take a quick week off between this match and the next, returning home Friday, July 19 (8:00 p.m.) for its First Responders’ Night and its second Dollar Beer Match at 38th and Washington. Fans can find tickets to that game and more at phxrisingfc.com/tickets.

Match Preview Presented by Mayo Clinic

Phoenix Rising FC (5-5-6) travels East to face Memphis 901 FC on Friday, June 28. The match will be broadcast live on Arizona’s Family Sports beginning at 5:30 p.m. local time.

Rising’s defense secured its fifth shutout of the season last time out, dipping below the franchise record of 1.06 goals against shared by the 2019 and 2020 squads. Phoenix also secured its fifth clean sheet of the season on June 22, a mark the team did not reach until September of 2023.

Much like Rising, Memphis had a slow start to the 2024 campaign. 901 went 1-5-0 before recovering with a 4-0-2 stretch from April 27 to May 25. Lately, Memphis has been drawing a lot of matches, going 1-1-3 since June 1. Rising is also similar in this regard, with a 3-1-5 record in its last nine games.

Memphis (6-6-4) sits fifth in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Rising. The West is wild, with just four points separating Orange County (6-6-3) in the final playoff position and Sacramento (6-2-7) in second place.

901 is also the highest scoring team in the West with 24 goals scored in 16 matches. Phoenix boasts the second-best defense in the conference with 16 goals allowed in 16 matches.

Memphis is coming off a 1-1 draw in Nevada vs. Las Vegas Lights on June 22. Bruno Lapa, one of 901’s two leading scorers netted a 70-yard bomb to give the visitors a first-half lead, but as in many of Memphis’ matches, there were late goals. Vegas was awarded a penalty that was converted in the 80^th to give Memphis its third draw in its last four games.

Three of Phoenix’s next four games are on the road in Memphis, San Antonio and Loudoun. Rising’s lone home match between June 22 and August is First Responders’ Night at 38^th Street and Washington on Friday, July 19 (8 p.m.).

MATCHDAY 17: Phoenix Rising FC at Memphis 901 FC
Watch Party: Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers – 3950 E Indian School Rd #150, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Time: 5:30 p.m.
TV: Arizona’s Family (channel 44)
Streaming: ESPN+ | Rising Radio (audio only: English) 

WATCH PARTY
Join us at Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers for the official Phoenix Rising Watch Party and experience the excitement firsthand.

Phoenix Rising travels to face Memphis 901 FC, Friday, June 28th. That match will be broadcast live on Arizona’s Family Sports Network and streamed on ESPN+ at 5:30 p.m.

Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to WIN FOUR (4) PREMIUM TERRACE TICKETS to the upcoming Phoenix Rising vs. El Paso Locomotive FC match on July 19th.

RECENT POSTS

MATCHDAY 16: Phoenix Rising FC vs. Charleston Battery
Location: Phoenix Rising Stadium at 38th St./Washington
Time: 7:30pm (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.)
TV: ESPN2
Rising Radio (audio only: English & Spanish) 

**Stay Hydrated: Two unopened clear 20oz water bottles are allowed – per person**

PREVIEW
In a rematch of the 2023 USL Championship, Phoenix Rising FC hosts Charleston Battery at 38^th St/Washington this Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. One of the most anticipated games of the year will also be the first $1 Beer Night, the club’s annual Pride celebration and its first nationally televised match on ESPN2.

“There is a lot of noise coming into the game on Saturday,” said midfielder JP Scearce, who started his second match in the last three weeks vs. El Paso on June 15. “We respect Charleston. We know they have great players and are having a good season.”

Unlike El Paso, Phoenix is catching Charleston at the right time. The Battery rocketed out of the gate, remaining unbeaten in its first 11 matches before dropping a 2-1 decision to El Paso on May 24. Since then, Charleston is 0-2-2 and has been outscored 4-1 in its last four games (0.25 GPG).

PHOENIX RISING FC APP
Before you do anything, be sure to download the PRFC app. Not only is this your ticket into the game, it also has everything you’ll need on gameday, including stadium rules, maps, news, stats and more. Click the link below to get started.

LIGHT RAIL
Rising fans can catch Valley Metro Rail, with their fare covered at any of the 41 stations across the Valley, leaving any worries about traffic and parking behind. Match tickets will double as valid light rail fare on the day of the event four hours prior to the start of the event, through the end of the transit day.

TRANSPORTATION
We’ve got great guides on transit options, the quickest routes and the best parking at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Take the time to review your route and plan to leave early to take the stress out of your gameday commute.

FOOD TRUCK LINEUP
Starting on the north side of the stadium and moving counter clockwise: AZ Lemonade, Bahama Bucks, Mama Lola’s, Chewks Cookies, Modern Tortilla, Zenefully Vegan, Oh So Donuts, Re Di Roma, Aioli Gourmet Burgers, and Copperstate.

Season Member discount will be available at all container bars, Copperstate Truck and Aiolo Gourmet Burgers.

$1 BEER NIGHT
Phoenix Rising FC has brought Dollar Beer Night back! Pick up 12 oz. Modelos across the stadium for just $1 apiece (limit four per transaction). 

COCKTAIL OF THE MATCH
Introducing the Pride-loma! This delightful twist on the classic Paloma features a touch of lavender syrup and a glittered salt rim, all served in a festive Pride-themed 9 oz. or 16 oz. cup. Celebrate with style and flavor!

GATE GIVEAWAY
Phoenix Rising is celebrating Pride this Saturday night, and yes, it might be a little hot, but we’re from Phoenix—we can take it. Plus, Phoenix Rising will be providing handheld fans to the first 2,500 people through the gates, courtesy of Circle K. The stadium gates will open 1.5 hours before kickoff at 6:00 p.m.

RECENT POSTS

Phoenix Rising Match Preview Presented by Mayo Clinic

In a rematch of the 2023 USL Championship, Phoenix Rising FC hosts Charleston Battery at 38^th St/Washington this Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. One of the most anticipated games of the year will also be the first $1 Beer Night, the club’s annual Pride celebration and its first nationally televised match of this season on ESPN2.

“There is a lot of noise coming into the game on Saturday,” said midfielder JP Scearce, who started his second match in the last three weeks vs. El Paso on June 15. “We respect Charleston. We know they have great players and are having a good season.”

Unlike El Paso, Phoenix is catching Charleston at the right time. The Battery rocketed out of the gate, remaining unbeaten in its first 11 matches before dropping a 2-1 decision to El Paso on May 24. Since then, Charleston is 0-2-2 and has been outscored 4-1 in its last four games (0.25 GPG).

“It doesn’t change the fact that they’re a very strong team with a very good set of players,” said Rising head coach Danny Stone. “At some point they will begin firing and scoring a lot of goals. We’ll do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen this week. Either way, I have no doubt they’ll be around the top of the table at the end of the season.”

During media availability on Tuesday, Stone was asked what is different about between this Battery side and the one Rising faced in last season’s finale.

“They’ve added a few players into the group,” said Stone. “And they’re good players. [Aaron] Molloy in the midfield is an integral piece for them. He has been a good player in the league for a few seasons now. Stylistically they’re consistent and similar to what we saw last season. We’re familiar with [Nick] Markanich from last year but he has had an outstanding first half of the season. I singled out those two, but this is a strong team overall. I expect to see some similar things and there is good reason for that. They have been successful.”

The difference in Stone’s team is an improved defense that has allowed a franchise low 1.06 goals per game. Phoenix has leaned on that team defense and the play of goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo to lose only once in its last eight league matches.

A big part of that defense has been Mo Traore who, much like last season, increased his role on the team when Rising was at its best. Traore came on strong at the end of last season, starting 12 games in a row heading into the final, then delivering the all-important cross that John Stenberg headed home against Charleston in the 90^th minute of the final. He has now started seven of the last nine games for Phoenix, continuing to grow into a role in the team’s offense.

“Like we saw against Orange County, Mo was an integral part of both goals we scored,” said Stone. “Him and Laurence [Wyke] have the ability to provide for us when they get into the higher areas.”

Getting its outside backs into the attack more often may be the answer for Rising as it looks to increase its rate of scoring. The team has taken strides, increasing its shots on goal per game from 3.8 in 2023 to 4.5 this season, but the conversation rate has dipped from 19% (2023) to 12%. Phoenix (5-5-5) is just a point off pace from 2023 (5-4-6) and the turning point last season was a match on ESPN2 on July 1, when Rising’s offense caught fire in the summer heat and dropped six goals on a Memphis 901 side that was tearing up the league at that point (8-2-4).

Rising is back on ESPN2 this Saturday and a former Memphis midfielder will be patrolling Charleston’s midfield… there’s a lot of things lining up this weekend, but that’ll happen when you’re selling Modelos for $1.

Phoenix Rising FC Match Preview presented by Mayo Clinic

Boasting just one loss in its last seven league matches, Phoenix Rising FC (5-5-4) now embarks on a stretch of three away matches in its next four, beginning with a trip to El Paso (3-9-2) to face the retooled Locomotive FC this Saturday, June 15 at 6 p.m. That match will be broadcast live on Arizona’s Family Sports and ESPN+.

“We were not consistent during the first part of the season,” said forward Dariusz Formella, who was named USL Championship Player of the Week on Tuesday. “We had a lot of good performances without the results and some good results without strong performances. I hope this game will be another big step for us and we’ll start a nice winning streak.”

Having navigated a portion of the schedule that included Sacramento (6-1-6), Indy (winners of seven in a row) and Detroit (6-3-2), Rising did well to avoid a dip in a Western Conference table where third through ninth place are separated by just two points.

“This is a very tricky game,” said Formella. “If you look at the table, El Paso is at the bottom, but they deserve much better. El Paso has very good players. I don’t know the reason they’re struggling at home, but we cannot underestimate El Paso. They have a much better team than what the table shows. It will be a battle.”

Unbeaten in its Desert Rose kits (1-0-1) and, when combined with the club’s 3-0-1 playoff run, Phoenix is riding a streak of six-games unbeaten while wearing white.

“We have gained some consistency in playing together,” said Rising head coach Danny Stone. “It takes some time to put pieces in place. There is a mental aspect to developing as a team. Learning how each other play together tactically and perform as a team. We can play some good football, but we need to continue the focus of being effective at the end of that. There is a bit of a ‘never beaten’ mentality we did see last weekend and that we do speak about as a group. There’s a lot of credit to be given there but that takes time and games together to develop. You almost need to prove it to yourself that it remains within you.”

“No chance we’re going to underestimate El Paso,” said Formella. “That would be the worst thing that could happen to us at this point in the season. During the season, it’s nice to check the table for statistics but it doesn’t matter now, only in October.”

Away from home for most of the Arizona summer, Rising will look to move up the table once more against El Paso, which is 2-1-0 under head coach Wilmer Cabrera after beginning the season 1-8-2.

“They’re a squad full of good players that have played well and not gotten results,” said Stone. “With Wilmer coming in, it has caused a change in energy. The players that have been less involved feel they have more opportunity. Players that have been involved feel they need to reestablish that they deserve to be in the lineup. That’s normal. Wilmer is a good coach as well. Since he has come into the club, they have become more effective.

Coming off a brace last time out and having scored a stoppage-time, game-tying-goal in 25 minutes of action last time he was in El Paso (September 23), Formella is one of the most effective players around since returning from a midseason trip to Poland to be with his family for the birth of his daughter, Mia.

“I remember that goal,” said Formella. “It was a good team goal with solid combinations, but this is a new game, new season, new coaches, new players… everything different.”