USL Phoenix Rising FC

Matchday HQ: Phoenix Rising at Tampa Bay Rowdies

May 15, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


MATCHDAY 3: Phoenix Rising t Tampa Bay Rowdies

Location: Al Lang Stadium

Time: 5:00pm

TV: ESPN2

Streaming: ESPN2| ArizonaSports.com (audio only; English) | La Mejor 106.5FM/1400AM (audio only; Spanish)

Match Preview

What You Need to Know

Phoenix Rising earned its first clean sheet of 2021 last time out, a 3-0 win at Wild Horse Pass vs. Oakland Roots

Solomon Asante finished second in the Player of the Week voting for his two-goal performance against Roots

Rising is one of only two teams left standing in 2020, Rising won the Western Conference while Tampa Bay claimed the East, those two teams meet Saturday (5PM) in Florida on ESPN2

Tampa hasn't allowed a goal this season, winning 3-0 vs. Charlotte Independence and Pittsburgh Riverhounds

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.

Check out the Phoenix Rising FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 15, 2021


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