PHOENIX (November 14, 2018) — Phoenix Rising Football Club announced today it was removing the interim tag from Rick Schantz’ title and naming him the fourth head coach in club history. The club will also retain assistant coaches Blair Gavin and Peter Ramage and goalkeeper coach Cory Robertson.



“Rick has been a foundational leader for the soccer operations of Phoenix Rising FC since the team’s inception,” said the club’s Governor Berke Bakay. “He has provided continuity and uninterrupted success for the team and has worked very hard and thoughtfully to earn the title of Head Coach for Phoenix Rising FC.”

Schantz took over the club as interim head coach on June 10th following the departure of previous head coach Patrice Carteron, who left the club to manage Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly FC. Schantz went unbeaten in his first four matches in charge of the club, was named “USL Coach of the Month” by the League, and compiled a 12-7-1 record during the rest of the 2018 regular season. Under his guidance, the club finished the year third place in the Western Conference.



Following the regular season, Schantz led the club to its first-ever playoff win on October 19, a 3-0 win over Portland Timbers 2, and eventually led the team to its first-ever Western Conference Championship title following a 2-1 win over Orange County Soccer Club. Rising FC fell short in the USL Cup Final to Louisville City FC 0-1.



“It has been the greatest learning experience of my career to serve among the stellar coaching staff at Phoenix Rising FC,” said Rick Schantz. “I appreciate the confidence in me shown by the team’s owners, administrators, players and fans, and am incredibly honored to be named Head Coach of Phoenix Rising FC.”



Schantz joined the Phoenix Rising FC coaching staff as an assistant coach on January 9, 2017. Prior to joining the club, Schantz was the head coach for former Premier Development League club FC Tucson. During his tenure, the team complied a record of 71-22-17 (a .645 winning percentage) and won three consecutive division titles. He also helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals in three consecutive seasons. In 2013, he led FC Tucson into the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, eliminating two professional clubs in the process.



About Phoenix Rising FC

Phoenix Rising FC is the highest-level professional soccer franchise in Arizona’s history. The club is owned by legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, Advantage Sports Union CEO, Alex Zheng, Executive Chairman of Kona Grill, Berke Bakay, and an impressive collection of business leaders and international celebrities. Established in 2016, Phoenix Rising FC is one of 10 cities applying for Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion and currently plays in the USL Championship, the largest Division 2 professional league in the world. In October 2017, Phoenix Rising FC acquired FC Tucson and is bringing USL League One professional soccer to Tucson beginning in the spring of 2019. For season tickets or more information call 623-594-9606 or visit PHXRisingFC.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook (PHXRisingFC), Twitter (@PHXRisingFC), Instagram (@PHXRisingFC), Snapchat (PHXRisingFC) and YouTube (PhoenixRisingFootballClub).

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