Rising Extends Head Coach Rick Schantz's Contract Through the 2024 Season
October 21, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release
PHOENIX, Arizona - Phoenix Rising FC has extended head coach Rick Schantz's contract through the 2024 season, the club announced today.
"I'm very happy to sign a new contract with Phoenix Rising," said Schantz. "I would like to thank our ownership group along with Bobby Dulle and the front office, for continuing to believe in me. Let's finish this season with some silverware."
Schantz has compiled a record of 70-20-18 in USL competition, leading the franchise to two Western Conference Championships and the 2019 regular-season title. He was named the 2019 Coach of the Year by the USL Championship after orchestrating the longest winning streak (20 games) in North American outdoor pro soccer history. That winning streak is also the longest in Phoenix professional sports history.
Schantz currently has Rising (20-5-5) in first place in the league table. The defending Western Conference Champions have not lost a match at home this season (11-0-3). Phoenix claimed the Pacific Division title with five matches remaining in the regular season on Oct. 2. Rising has been the highest-scoring pro soccer franchise in North America since 2019, scoring 195 goals in the last three seasons.
Under his watch, Phoenix Rising has had seven players named to the USL All-League team, earned two golden boot titles and one player, captain Solomon Asante, has won back-to-back USL Championship MVP awards.
"Rick has been an integral part of Phoenix Rising since its inception," said Rising GM Bobby Dulle. "We are thrilled to extend his contract. He has tremendous passion for this club and he's proven to be a consistent winner in this league. Rick provides continuity and stability as the leader of our team. We are excited to see him continue to guide Phoenix Rising to unprecedented heights."
Schantz originally joined Phoenix Rising FC as an assistant coach on Jan. 9, 2017. He was named interim head coach following the departure of Patrice Carteron on June 10, 2018. He went 12-6-2 as interim head coach, leading the club to its first final appearance before being officially named head coach on Nov. 14, 2018. The following year he broke USL Championship records for most wins (24), points (78) and goals (89) in a single season.
An Arizona native, Schantz played his high school soccer at Salpointe Catholic High School, and in 1992 he was selected for the United States U17 National Team Pool. He went on to play his college soccer at the University of Portland, where he helped the Pilots win a conference championship and reach the NCAA College Cup in 1995.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 21, 2021
- Everything You Need to Know When Orange County SC Host Las Vegas Lights FC in Week 27 - Orange County SC
- Republic FC Partners with Sacramento Covered to Host 21st Annual Healthy Sacramento Day at Heart Health Park - Sacramento Republic FC
- SKC II to Visit Birmingham on Sunday - Sporting Kansas City II
- What to Watch Across the USL Championship: Week 27 - Sacramento Republic FC
- October 30th Is Town Biz Night Presented by American Express - Oakland Roots
- Match Preview: Republic FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Real Monarchs Host Switchbacks FC - Real Monarchs
- Rising Extends Head Coach Rick Schantz's Contract Through the 2024 Season - Phoenix Rising FC
- Road Trip to Orange County Ends in 1-0 Loss to SoCal Rival - San Diego Loyal
- Orange County SC Clinches Playoff Berth with 1-0 Win against San Diego - Orange County SC
- Roots Hang on to Playoff Hopes with Scoreless Draw in Tacoma - Oakland Roots
- Preview: Athletic Host Charlotte in Penultimate Home Match of 2021 - Hartford Athletic
- Ash Apollon Named to the USL Championship Team of the Week - Hartford Athletic
- Switchbacks FC Clinch Spot in 2021 Playoffs - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Tacoma Defiance Battles to Scoreless Draw at Cheney Stadium against Oakland Roots SC - Tacoma Defiance
- United Academy Set to Fight for 1st in the Southwest Division - New Mexico United
- New Mexico United Claims Sole Possession of Playoff Position with 4-2 Victory over San Antonio - New Mexico United
- El Paso Locomotive Command a 3-0 Win over Austin Bold FC - El Paso Locomotive FC
- San Antonio FC Clinches Playoff Berth for Second Consecutive Season - San Antonio FC
- FC Tulsa Blows out Atlanta United 2 4-0 - FC Tulsa
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.
