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USL Phoenix Rising FC

Rising Faces Reno Tonight at 7 PM on CW61 Arizona & ESPN+

August 29, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release


Phoenix Rising FC in training
Phoenix Rising FC in training
(Phoenix Rising FC)

Coming off of meeting its goal of seven points during a three-match week, Phoenix Rising heads to Reno for week 10 of the 2020 Season Presented by Equality Health in hopes of shaking off the sting of dropping two points in the final minutes of an eventual 3-3 draw against Las Vegas.

"They were upset losing two points in that fashion," said Rising FC head coach Rick Schantz. "Being two or three minutes away from nine points - that's frustrating to the team. They were upset in the manner we gave up the goals. We made some mistakes. We lost two points. I told them to keep their heads up and move forward. You can't let one game cost you three points a week later."

A week later, Rising meets Group A leader, Reno 1868 FC, in the final of four consecutive road matches.

"Reno is one of the best attacking teams in the league and they have an interesting way of playing defense," said Schantz. "They're a lot like San Jose. Their No. 10 will step out and press the opposing center back. It is man-to-man everywhere on the field. You cannot say there is always going to be a man open. You just have to win your individual battles.

Christiano François on the left, is very good. Sam Gleadle is a converted winger, now a fullback. He has some good pace. Brent Richards is similar on the right side. They're a very consistent group with some experience. This could be a playoff preview. It will be a difficult game."

Rising is 2-0-1 all-time against Reno in Nevada. Phoenix has outscored 1868 FC, 4-0, in their own building in the teams' last two matches. Rising also won, 4-2, last August at Casino Arizona Field, but the 2020 season, presented by Equality Health, is anything but normal, especially when traveling.

"When you compare our current road record to when we were winning 20 in a row, it sounds pretty bad, but after Orange County, we took four out of the next six points," said Schantz. "Playing on the road is not easy. We won games on the road in 2019 that we had no business winning. We were down to LA Galaxy II, 2-0, in the 70th minute and won, 3-2. The road is challenging in this league. With COVID, you have all these added uncertainties. It's a different world. It's uneasy."

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Phoenix Rising FC in training
Phoenix Rising FC in training
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 29, 2020


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