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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Preview: Win Or Go Home, Rising/Loyal, Sunday at 7 PM

October 20, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Phoenix Rising FC vs. the San Diego Loyal
Phoenix Rising FC vs. the San Diego Loyal
(Phoenix Rising FC)

The sixth seed in the West, Phoenix Rising travels to third-seeded San Diego to face Loyal SC Sunday, October 22 at 7 p.m. (live on ESPN+ & AZFSEN).

"If you asked me, if I had to pick a team from the East or West to play, it would have been San Diego," said Rising Head Coach Juan Guerra. "This is a soccer game we want. It's a game the fan base and a full stadium is going to enjoy watching. It is going to be a proper soccer game.

I expect a very good tactical battle within the game. Add to that a full stadium. Add to that what is happening to them internally. It creates the atmosphere for an unbelievable game. One that we all can remember."

The last time these two met, 38th St/Washington was full as 10,437 fans packed the stadium for Rising's first-ever home game in the City of Phoenix. Manuel Arteaga scored in the 35th and 63rd minutes to put the home side up, 2-0, before San Diego came back with goals in the 72nd and 80th to make it a 2-2 final. The last time these two met in San Diego, Phoenix had one of its best matches in terms of possession, holding onto the ball 67% of the match and outshooting Loyal SC 16-10, but fell, 3-0.

"San Diego has not changed a lot in three years," said Guerra. "It's an organization that has a clear culture, identity, playing style and game model. They have a lot of returning players and a lot of players that have been there since year one. They have evolved and gotten better year after year."

Last season, San Diego entered the postseason as the second seed, hosting an Oakland Roots side utilizing the services of Jose Andres Hernandez and Alejandro Fuenmayor. Those two players helped Roots earn a 3-0, first-round playoff victory in San Diego. Guerra is looking to replicate that outcome on Sunday, but he is aware this is a San Diego side uniquely motivated by the fact this could be the last match in franchise history.

"That's massive," said Guerra. "It's something that I am not trying to match. I'm not going to push our players to try and match those motivational levels because our players are not living that. We can't do that. That would be a mistake. We just need to understand we're going to a place where the crowd is going to play a big role. It's going to be loud and demanding of us. When they have the ball, they can create a false sense that they are hurting us because the stadium is loud, but probably they're not. We need to be focused and concentrated. We're going to feel uncomfortable defending. We need to control the ball. We need to keep it and have long spells of possession to control the game and feel comfortable.

We have other ways to match motivation. It's who we are. Who do we represent? Why did our players choose to come to Phoenix Rising? Why did I choose to come back? That's us. That's a lot bigger than any external thing that can happen. Our motivation is Phoenix Rising, ourselves, our family."

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Phoenix Rising FC vs. the San Diego Loyal
Phoenix Rising FC vs. the San Diego Loyal
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 20, 2023


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