Preview: Rising at Tacoma, Saturday at 7:30
Published on September 24, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release
Phoenix Rising ((16-3-5)) has now won a season-best five straight games, got goals from Santi Moar and Darren Mattocks. Moar last time out. Moar leads the team with 13 goals and has now scored in five-straight games, while Aodhan Quinn has recorded an assist in each of these games and earned back-to-back USL Team of the Week nods.
Rising hits the road for its next three matches, starting with a trip to Tacoma this Saturday, Sept. 25 (CW 61 Arizona at 7:30 p.m.). These two teams are meeting for the third time this season. Phoenix took the first two games (3-0 and 3-1). The final matchup will be Rising's regular-season finale at Wild Horse Pass on Oct. 30.
Tacoma sits fifth in the Pacific Division, just below .500 with an 8-9-6 record. Defiance has been a strong home team this season, only losing twice on its home pitch. Both home losses have come in its last two home matches, including the defeat to Phoenix on Sept. 5.
"[Tacoma Head Coach] Wade [Webber] has done an unbelievable job with that group," said Rising head coach Rick Schantz. "They've got some experienced guys in there, with some really, really talented young players. They had a hard time at San Diego. They got really spread out. That's important when playing them. It's a little harder at Cheney [Stadium] to spread them out. They can really play well in tight places. When we go up there, we just have to be super physical."
With just eight games remaining in the regular season, a win against Tacoma would officially clinch a spot in the 2021 postseason for Rising. If the team can secure three points and a few other results go their way, Phoenix could even clinch the Pacific Division title on Saturday night.
"I've always said it's about winning trophies here," said Schantz. "There are three we can win this season and we're fighting for all of them. As we prepare for playoffs, we'll look at each game individually. We need to make sure to prepare the group as best we can, if we need to switch out some guys and get some rest, I'm comfortable doing that. I'm really happy with the depth we have. I feel confident I could have had two teams qualify for the postseason with the group we have this year.
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