Know Your Opponent: Phoenix Rising FC
June 23, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
The boys in Old Glory Red return to Sacramento for what should be a beautiful and breezy Saturday evening summer showdown against fellow Pacific Division foe - Phoenix Rising FC.
Republic FC has already clashed once with the Arizonian club - a 1-0 win for Rising FC on May 29 - and this weekend's bout will be the second of four regular season fixtures in 2021.
Saturday night will surely be a special one, as the match also marks the first full-capacity crowd at a Republic FC home game since March 2020.
With a packed house at Heart Health Park and a perfect summer night, Mark Briggs' men will be hungry for all three points against the southwestern side in front of a raucous crowd.
Key Moves
During the offseason and throughout the opening stages of the regular season thus far, Phoenix has managed to lure some Major League Soccer talent to town by way of season-long loan deals.
Joining Phoenix on loan for the 2021 USL Championship season is a pair of MLS players - defender Noah Billingsley from Minnesota United and goalkeeper Andre Rawls from Colorado Rapids. Rawls has recorded eight saves in three games while Billingsley has featured four times, making one start.
But the on-loan MLS signings didn't stop there, as Rising FC recently acquired defender Tate Schmitt on-loan from Real Salt Lake on June 10. Schmitt has some USL experience as well, having made 19 appearances for Real Monarchs in 2019 where he scored three goals and added four assists during Monarchs' title-winning campaign. In just two games this season, Schmitt's already found the back of the net once.
Phoenix This Season
Rising FC currently sits atop the Pacific Division standings with 16 points accumulated from eight matches.
Phoenix's offensive continues to impress, as the Arizonian club currently leads the league in goals scored with 20. Rising FC is also the only team in the league with a positive double-digit goal differential at +12.
Since the southwestern club suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 15, Rising FC went on a four-game unbeaten run that included three wins, two of which Phoenix held its opponent scoreless. However, this past Saturday the side was dealt just its second loss of the season as San Diego Loyal SC after the SoCal club earned a 2-1 win.
Head-to-Head
The Indomitable Club has the advantage in the all-time series with a 6-5-5 record against Rising FC.
When hosting Phoenix in Sacramento, SRFC is 4-1-4 and has outscored its fellow Pacific Division opponent 5 to 2. Two of the last three fixtures between the two sides in California ended as scoreless draws.
The last time Republic FC downed Rising FC at home was September 30, 2017 when the boys in Old Glory Red recorded a 2-0 win as Emrah Klimenta and Agustin Cazarez both found the back of the net.
Last Time They Met
On May 29 at Heart Health Park, Rising FC earned a 1-0 win over SRFC in the first and only meeting between the two clubs in 2021.
Phoenix's Santi Moar scored the game's lone goal to grant all three points to his side. Through the 2021 campaign thus far, SRFC is one of just three teams to hold the Western Conference offensive juggernaut to one goal in a league match.
The win for Rising FC was Phoenix's first-ever win in Sacramento and Moar's strike ended a 625 scoreless streak the southwestern side had when encountering Republic FC on the road.
Saturday's showdown in Sacramento against Phoenix is set to kickoff at 8:00 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ESPN+, KQCA My58 and Estrella TV.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 23, 2021
- Another Bijev Goal and Another Clean Sheet Give Greens First Home Win Since 2019 - OKC Energy FC
- Battery Fall on the Road in 3-0 Loss to Charlotte - Charleston Battery
- SD Loyal Back on the Road, Will Face Las Vegas Lights FC Without Thomas Vancaeyezeele and Jack Maher - San Diego Loyal
- Sporting KC II Signs 17-Year-Olds Daniel Gutierrez and Coby Jones to Academy Contracts - Sporting Kansas City II
- Match Preview: Tacoma Defiance vs. Real Monarchs - June 23, 2021 - Tacoma Defiance
- 3 Things: #PITvNY - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- SD Loyal Launches "Mission Gratitude" Initiative to Support San Diego's Military Community - San Diego Loyal
- LA Galaxy II Sign Goalkeeper Alan Solorio - LA Galaxy II
- Birmingham Legion FC vs. Austin Bold FC Contest Rescheduled - Austin Bold FC
- Know Your Opponent: Phoenix Rising FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- All-RDA Final Highlights Week at US Club Soccer Regionals - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Hartford Athletic Signs Newington's Sebastian Pliszka to USL Academy Contract - Hartford Athletic
- Oakland Roots Announces Relocation of Contest with Austin Bold FC - Oakland Roots
- Lancaster Named USL Championship Player of the Week - Louisville City FC
- Switchbacks FC to Host Largest Fireworks Show in Southern Colorado - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- 10-Man Switchbacks FC Stun Bold FC in Statement Comeback Win - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
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.
Other Recent Sacramento Republic FC Stories
- Lee Desmond Named to Team of the Week
- Buddy Benches Promote Mental Health, Inclusion, and Friendship at 11 Local Schools
- Republic FC Draws Indy Eleven
- Match Preview: Republic FC vs. Indy Eleven
- Earthquakes Net Two Early to Knock Republic FC from U.S. Open Cup
