Didier Drogba scored in last year’s final meeting between Phoenix Rising and Portland Timbers 2 in the first round of the USL Playoffs (Aaron Blau)

Rising returns home after a two game road swing looking to extend their consecutive wins record against a former playoff foe.

Phoenix Rising (9-2-5, 32pts, 1st in West) vs. Portland Timbers 2 (7-3-6, 27pts, 2nd in West)

7:30pm, Casino Arizona Field, Scottsdale, AZ

TV: Your Phoenix CW (6 & 61.1)

Stream: ESPN+

Radio: ESPN Phoenix 620 AM / AZSports.com

Matchcenter: #PHXvPOR

Team News

Coming off their two-win week, Phoenix had three players named to the USL Championship Team of the Week. Solomon Asante, with three goals and an assist, was named Player of the Week, while Adam Jahn and Zac Lubin were named Honorable Mention…………With his two yellow cards against OKC Energy FC, Joey Farrell will miss tonight’s matchup while serving his one-game suspension…….Unless Jamaica makes the Gold Cup Final, this will be the last match missed by Kevon Lambert and Junior Flemmings. Phoenix does not play against until July 13th.

Portland Timbers 2

It was just two seasons ago that Timbers 2 had one of the worst seasons in USL history, only winning 3 matches en route to a 15 point season. There has been a massive turnaround, finishing last year in 6th before losing to Rising in the first round of the playoffs, their first appearance in team history. This year has been even better, as the team currently sits in 2nd, just five points behind Phoenix despite going only 2-1-2 in their last five.

The Portland turnaround can be traced to its roster makeup. T2 is one of the more veteran driven MLS reserve sides in USL, with a mix of 1st team bench and fringe players, USL veterans, and older academy players. The MVP of the season so far for Timbers 2 is Eryk Williamson. The former D.C. United Homegrown player has made an impact on the squad with 3 goals and 7 assists from his midfield position and has started to see time in MLS. Other notable players on the T2 squad include Dairon Asprilla, Homegrowns Foster Langsdorf and Marco Farfan, and Modou Jadama. With the parent club seeing a congested schedule in the past couple of weeks, six members of the USL squad started in their MLS match this past Wednesday but should be back in time for tonight.



Three Things to Know

– Portland has yet to be shutout this season and has scored 2+ goals in 12 of their 16 games.

– With the parent team playing tomorrow, it is unlikely that we see any bench players come down a la Seattle/ Tacoma Defiance.

– It’s been a turnstile at the back for T2 with 3 keepers making an appearance for the team so far. Jake Leeker has been most of the time and is likely to start in Arizona.

Tale of the Tape

Projected Lineup

It should be pretty straight forward for Rick Schantz and the coaching staff. With the exception of the suspended Joey Farrell, all first choice players are available for selection.

Did you Know?

– Phoenix continues to fill up the league leaders list with players in the Top 5 in Goals, Assists, Shots, Chances Created, and Clean Sheets.

– With their +26 goal differential, Phoenix would rank 7th in whole season goal differential when looking at the past 4 USL seasons.