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USL Phoenix Rising FC

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May 14, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Last Saturday, Phoenix Rising earned its first shutout and second win of the season, defeating Oakland Roots SC at Wild Horse Pass. The two-time defending USL Championship MVP, Solomon Asante, found the back of the net twice to lead Phoenix to a 3-0 win. Phoenix now looks to make it three straight wins, as it travels for the first time this season to face the 2-0-0 Tampa Bay Rowdies.

This ESPN2-broadcasted matchup is drawing considerable hype, as it sets up a rematch of last season's Championship game, which was canceled due to a COVID outbreak. However, Phoenix Head Coach Rick Schantz and his team are not buying into the buzz.

"It's the third game of the year," he said. "It's not the championship game. We all know that. It's fantastic, the way it's set up that we can play Tampa with the way things ended last year. I'm sure everybody wants to watch the two teams play. They have new players. We have new players. We have almost an entire new coaching staff except for my old body."

Schantz insisted that any "unfinished business" Phoenix has, lies with winning the USL Championship, rather than playing against the Rowdies specifically. Nevertheless, he is excited for the test a matchup against a top team like Tampa will provide for his club this early on in the season.

"They've added (Steevan) dos Santos up front, which is a huge addition to them because now they have a target forward... They get a lot of numbers forward, but now if you have them pinned back and they play out, they have a guy that can hold the ball up. It makes them really multi-dimensional. An extremely difficult team to game-plan against, a lot like San Diego, a very similar system.

[Tampa] likes to bring those wingers way inside and play as double 10's. The good news for us is we faced the same tactical scenario two weeks ago. It won't be anything of a surprise, but this team is a little more physical and a little more powerful than most."

PHXvTB Series

This is the first meeting.

A Little Bit About Phoenix Rising

HOME IS WHERE THE GOALS ARE

New address, same goal scoring prowess. Last year at home, Rising outscored its opponents 34-10. This year, Phoenix has started off the season with two home wins, outscoring its opponents 7-1. The team is tied with FC Tulsa for most goals in the USL Championship.

ON TARGET

Phoenix leads the league in shots on target per match (8.5) and goals per match (3.5). Rising is putting 53.1% of its shots on target and converting 21.9% of its shots to goals, both new club records.

MORE MOAR

Santi Moar just cannot stay out of the box score. After notching a goal and two assists in the season opener, he found the back of the net vs. Oakland on May 8. He is tied for first on the team with Solomon Assante in chances created (6).

RECORD WHEN STARTING RUFAT

Rising only lost once in 2020 with Rufat Dadashov in the starting 11. With two wins on the 2021 season, the club's all-time record with Dadashov in the starting lineup is now 14-1-4.

HELP HAS ARRIVED

With goalkeeper Zac Lubin out for several months post-back surgery, and Andre Rawls day-to-day with a grain stroin, Rising signed 6-foot-6-inch German goalkeeper Ben Lundt on loan from FC Cincinnati. The reigning USL Championship Goalkeeper of the Year played his first match for Rising on Saturday, securing a clean sheet and recording two saves.

A Little Bit About the Rowdies

LAST STARTING XI (3-4-3): GK Evan Louro, D Aaron Guillen, D Forrest Lasso, D Jordan Scarlett, M Leo Fernandes, M Laurence Wyke, M Lewis Hilton, M Conner Antley, F Zach Steinberger, F Sebastián Guenzatti, F Steevan dos Santos

IT STARTS WITH DEFENSE

The Rowdies are one of only three USL Championship teams who have not conceded a goal on the season. In their 3-0 win last weekend, they held Pittsburgh to just one shot on frame.

SCORING SEBASTIAN

Forward Sebastián Guenzatti, who led the team in goals last year with 10, is off to a hot start on the season, scoring three in the team's first two matches. He is tied for second in the league in goals.

THE PASSING GAME

Tampa is third in the league in passing accuracy at 82%. Not only do they pass accurately, but they pass frequently. They have 867 successful passes in their first two games compared to Phoenix's 471. The Rowdies are also averaging 60% possesion on the season.

THIS WEEK

Saturday, May 15 - at Tampa Bay Rowdies @ 5 p.m.

Stream: ESPN+ (U.S. viewers)

TV: ESPN 2

Radio: La Mejor 106.5 FM & 1400 AM (Spanish)

Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 14, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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