Phoenix Plays First Preseason Match of 2021 vs. Sporting KC

Rising split its squad into two groups, playing a full 90-minute scrimmage against MLS side Sporting Kansas City today in the club's first action on its new training site at Wild Horse Pass.

Rising's first group looked "rusty" in just its fifth day of preseason, according to head coach Rick Schantz. The team gave up four goals in the first 33 minutes of action before finding its feet against an MLS side that is further along in its preseason. 

"We played against one of the top teams in MLS and made a lot of poor mistakes early on," said Schantz. "If you lose the ball in your own half against that group, they'll put it in the back of the net. But it's good for us to feel anger, frustration, and disappointment early on like this. Now we can build them back up."

Rising's next preseason fixture is this Tuesday, March 16, in Tucson against MLS opponents Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers. Phoenix is set to open its 2021 regular season at Wild Horse Pass on or around May 1.

Sporting's first goal today, came in the ninth minute when Phoenix had a pass picked off near midfield. The MLS side quickly knocked the ball forward, creating an instant footrace between Phoenix goalkeeper Zac Lubin and Kansas City's Johnny Russell. Lubin arrived first but was unable to clear the ball away from danger. Sporting's Wilson Harris won the loose ball back and quickly chipped it into an empty net to make it 1-0.

Wilson found the back of the net again 10 minutes later when Russell played him into the area with a curling through ball. The forward collected the pass behind Phoenix's back line and had ample time to pick his spot before firing a shot high to the left side of Lubin to make it 2-0.

Rising's Solomon Asante and Rufat Dadashov combined to knock a ball over the line in the 20th minute, but the goal was called back due to an offsides ruling by the official. 

Sporting's Gianluca Busio was the recipient of another set-up pass from Russell in the 29th minute. After coming free on the right side, the Scottish international chipped a pin-point cross into the middle. Busio snapped a header to the right side of Lubin and the goalkeeper did well to get a hand to the ball but was unable to keep it out of the back of the net.

Following mass substitutions from both sides in the 30th minute, Phoenix's second group knocked the ball around in Kansas City's half of the pitch and forced a save out of goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh, but Sporting countered quickly.

Wilson scored his third of the match in the 33rd minute when Jake Davis won the ball back in Rising's final third. Davis moved the ball forward to Wilson and the red-hot striker found himself with enough space to launch a rocket, high and to the left side of the goalkeeper to make it 4-0.

"Arturo Rodriguez was really good in that second group," said Schantz after the match. "Tobi Adewole did a really good job in the second 45. It's going to be competitive this next week. A lot of guys stepped up. They want to compete for a starting job."

Phoenix Rising Lineups:

First Group: Zac Lubin, Deklyn Wynne, James Musa, Joe Farrell, Darnell King, Kevon Lambert, Aohdan Quinn, Jon Bakero, Santi Moar, Solomon Asante, Rufat Dadashov.

Second Group: Trialist 6 (GK), Trialist 4, Trialist 3, Tobi Adewole, Trialist 5, Prince Saydee, Arturo Rodriguez, Joey Calistri, Ivan Gutierrez, Trialist 1

Rising split its squad into two groups, playing a full 90-minute scrimmage against MLS side Sporting Kansas City today in the club’s first action on its new training site at Wild Horse Pass.

Rising’s first group looked “rusty” in just its fifth day of preseason, according to head coach Rick Schantz. The team gave up four goals in the first 33 minutes of action before finding its feet against an MLS side that is further along in its preseason. 

“We played against one of the top teams in MLS and made a lot of poor mistakes early on,” said Schantz. “If you lose the ball in your own half against that group, they’ll put it in the back of the net. But it’s good for us to feel anger, frustration, and disappointment early on like this. Now we can build them back up.”

Rising’s next preseason fixture is this Tuesday, March 16, in Tucson against MLS opponents Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers. Phoenix is set to open its 2021 regular season at Wild Horse Pass on or around May 1.

Sporting’s first goal today, came in the ninth minute when Phoenix had a pass picked off near midfield. The MLS side quickly knocked the ball forward, creating an instant footrace between Phoenix goalkeeper Zac Lubin and Kansas City’s Johnny Russell. Lubin arrived first but was unable to clear the ball away from danger. Sporting’s Wilson Harris won the loose ball back and quickly chipped it into an empty net to make it 1-0.

Wilson found the back of the net again 10 minutes later when Russell played him into the area with a curling through ball. The forward collected the pass behind Phoenix’s back line and had ample time to pick his spot before firing a shot high to the left side of Lubin to make it 2-0.

Rising’s Solomon Asante and Rufat Dadashov combined to knock a ball over the line in the 20th minute, but the goal was called back due to an offsides ruling by the official. 

Sporting’s Gianluca Busio was the recipient of another set-up pass from Russell in the 29th minute. After coming free on the right side, the Scottish international chipped a pin-point cross into the middle. Busio snapped a header to the right side of Lubin and the goalkeeper did well to get a hand to the ball but was unable to keep it out of the back of the net.

Following mass substitutions from both sides in the 30th minute, Phoenix’s second group knocked the ball around in Kansas City’s half of the pitch and forced a save out of goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh, but Sporting countered quickly.

Wilson scored his third of the match in the 33rd minute when Jake Davis won the ball back in Rising’s final third. Davis moved the ball forward to Wilson and the red-hot striker found himself with enough space to launch a rocket, high and to the left side of the goalkeeper to make it 4-0.

“Arturo Rodriguez was really good in that second group,” said Schantz after the match. “Tobi Adewole did a really good job in the second 45. It’s going to be competitive this next week. A lot of guys stepped up. They want to compete for a starting job.”

Phoenix Rising Lineups:

First Group: Zac Lubin, Deklyn Wynne, James Musa, Joe Farrell, Darnell King, Kevon Lambert, Aohdan Quinn, Jon Bakero, Santi Moar, Solomon Asante, Rufat Dadashov.

Second Group: Trialist 6 (GK), Trialist 4, Trialist 3, Tobi Adewole, Trialist 5, Prince Saydee, Arturo Rodriguez, Joey Calistri, Ivan Gutierrez, Trialist 1