
US Open Cup Returns as Phoenix Rising Takes on Valley United FC in Round Two
April 5, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release
Phoenix Rising FC enters the 2022 U.S. Open Cup in the second round vs. Valley United FC Wednesday at Wild Horse Pass (7:30 p.m.).
A third-division National Independent Soccer Association side based in Mesa, Arizona, Phoenix Rising downed Valley United, 5-0, in a 70-minute preseason match on Feb. 26. Richmond Antwi, who made his Rising debut against San Antonio on April 2, scored twice in that preseason match. Both of Antwi's goals were assisted by Greg Hurst, who added a goal of his own. Joey Calistri and Arturo Rodriguez rounded out the scoring.
"Valley United are a good squad," said Rising head coach Rick Schantz. "They picked up Luis Gil, who is an experience MLS veteran. Ricky Velaczo was on my last team that put together a nice U.S. Open Cup run at FC Tucson joined the squad as well. It will be a difficult game and it's all we're focused on right now."
Due to the pandemic, this is Rising's first Open Cup match since 2019. Dating back to 1913, the Open Cup is open to all U.S. Soccer affiliated amateur and professional teams.
Having just played a match in San Antonio on Saturday and LA Galaxy II coming to Wild Horse Pass this Saturday, Schantz will need to shuffle his lineup to accommodate for three matches in the span of eight days.
"[Our win in San Antonio] showed a lot of trust and faith in the roster," said Schantz. "You cannot bring players in that you're not willing to play. You have to show trust in these guys and give them opportunities. We were rewarded with that faith."
Should Rising advance, the Third Round Draw will stream live on YouTube and Twitter. Check @opencup on Twitter for details and the stream link. Draw time is Friday, April 8, at 9 a.m. PT.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 5, 2022
- Tulsa Derby Goes to FC Tulsa - FC Tulsa
- Rowdies Topple The Villages in Open Cup - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Sims Strikes Twice; Hounds Advance in Open Cup - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Detroit City FC Down Michigan Stars, 3-0, to Advance in U.S. Open Cup - Detroit City FC
- Match Preview: Republic FC V Portland Timbers U-23 - Sacramento Republic FC
- US Open Cup Returns as Phoenix Rising Takes on Valley United FC in Round Two - Phoenix Rising FC
- Tumi Moshobane Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - San Diego Loyal
- Match Preview : Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup - Second Round - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- US Open Cup: What Lies Ahead for Republic FC? - Sacramento Republic FC
- Dane Kelly Garners Team of the Week Honor - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- April 7 vs. Portland Timbers U23: What to Know Before You Head to Heart Health Park for U.S. Open Cup - Sacramento Republic FC
- Darnell King Named to Week 4 Team of the Week - Phoenix Rising FC
- Republic FC's Rodrigo Lopez Named to USL Championship's Week 4 Team of the Week - Sacramento Republic FC
- Michee Ngalina Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Las Vegas Lights FC's Danny Trejo claims second weekly award of season after two-goal outing in Charleston - USL
- Cochran Named to USL Team of the Week - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Match Preview: U.S. Open Cup 2nd Round vs Miami United FC - Miami FC
- Battery Host Tormenta in U.S. Open Cup - Charleston Battery
- LouCity Poised for First Open Cup Run Since 2019 - Louisville City FC
- United Soccer League Announces Multiyear Partnership with Hisense USA - USL
- Open Cup Game Day: Hounds vs. Maryland Bobcats - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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.
Other Recent Phoenix Rising FC Stories
- Nino's Rise: Sacko in the Spotlight
- From the Academy to the Pros
- Rising Concludes Group Stage of USL Jägermeister Cup with 2-2 Draw Against El Paso Locomotive FC
- Match Preview: Phoenix Rising at El Paso Locomotive FC
- Rising Roars Back to Down Oakland Roots SC, 2-1, at Oakland Coliseum

