By Jim Marshall
PHOENIX, AZ – The Phoenix Rising are looking to repeat as USL Champions in the 2024 season. This time around they will be the team everyone wants to beat. The players have a big target on their backs as defending champions.
Improbable Run
In what might be considered one of the greatest runs in soccer history, this team finished as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Then Phoenix took down the entirety of California teams. Those three teams were the top seeds in the west. The Rising were able to get wins against San Diego Loyal SC, Orange County SC, and Sacramento Republic FC.
In the championship game — though the match will technically go down in the record books as a 1-1 draw — Phoenix claimed the trophy with a 3-2 penalty-shootout win over the Charleston Battery.
New Coach for 2024
The Phoenix Rising are looking to repeat as champions with a new coach at the helm for the 2024 season. Danny Stone has replaced Juan Guerra, and has the task of getting his team back to the title game.
Stone is familiar with this Rising as well as Arizona, having moved to Tempe from England in 1997. He attended high school at Corona del Sol. After his playing days ended, he became a coach. He returned to Phoenix three years ago to become an assistant coach for the Rising.
Roster Turnover
Adding to the challenge, the Rising has gone through a large player turnover. The team is without 16 of the players that got them to the championship game last season, however, fan favorite Defender Emil Cuello returns. Also helping is the surprise resigning of goalie and playoff MVP Rocco Rios-Novo. Defender John Stenberg returns Rising’s next captain. Last season, Stenberg was considered the vocal leader, who now will need to provide that leadership to the new players if the team wants to succeed.
Challenging Schedule
The Phoenix Rising are looking to repeat as champions in this 34-game season. The team lost its home opener on March 9 versus Birmingham Legion FC. There are two more home games in March against Oakland (March 23) and New Mexico (March 30). Phoenix’s excellent spring weather is a great time to head to the Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium.
The team is scheduled to play four games at home in April and May before hitting the road for seven of 11 away matches during the summer months. The regular season concludes on October 26.
Watching a Game
Watching a Phoenix Rising game is a spectacular event, with colored smoke in the stands, drums playing, flags waving, singing, clapping, jumping up and down, they have it all. Matches are 90 minutes of non-stop action. Fans really get into the game and comradery with soccer fans is something everyone needs to see. This season, AZ Family Sports channel (over-the-air channel 44) as well as Arizona’s Family (Channel 3) will broadcast Phoenix Rising games. Games can also be streamed via the AZ Family App.
Stadium Information and Tickets
The Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium is located just north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on 38th and Washington (3801 E. Washington Street) in Phoenix. It is located along the Valley Metro light rail for those who want to park and ride.
Ticket prices vary, staring as low as $15 per seat. There is a place for everyone to come and enjoy the defending USL champions.
For more information regarding the club, its schedule, the stadium, ticketing, and more, visit the team’s web site at https://www.phxrisingfc.com/.
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