PRFC Adds All-League Firepower In All-Out Push To Win In 2020

PRFC added 2nd team all-USL MF/FW Santi Moar from rivals New Mexico United. He led NMU’s offense with 11 goals and 6 assists on the year.

After a disapointing finish to the 2019 campaign that saw Phoenix Rising FC exit the USL Cup Playoffs in the Western Conference Semi-Finals to eventual champion Real Monarchs SLC despite the best regular season record in USL Championship history, Rising management appears to be going for broke in an attempt to be competitive in every competition this year – with early off-season returns showing a re-tooled midfield and impressive back-line signings to join the 11 core returning players from last year’s record-setting side. PRFC set USL records for consecutive games won (20), goals scored, consecutive road wins, and a litany of other team and individual records on their way to the 2019 USL Supporters Shield Championship, an award that if given in any other domestic soccer league in the world, would have crowned PRFC as league champions. Instead, due to the playoff system that Americans are familiar with, the Rising felt the sting of falling short, dropping a 2-1 stunner to Real Monarchs SLC, who came into the game red-hot, facing a Rising side that admittedly, may have went too hard in the regular season, and now, has decided that depth will be a essential focus in the 2020 season.

Who’s Returning

The Rising so far have inked deals with 12 returning players, most of which come as no surprise to any fan who watched the team last year, although some omissions, such as defender Amadou Dia and midfield James Musa, both seeking MLS deals, must be a disappointment to many Phoenix fans, as both have played essential roles in the dominant Rising sides of the last two seasons. The Rising initially announced a group of 11 returnees:

GK Zac Lubin

CB Corey Whelan

CB AJ Cochran

FW Junior Flemmings

FW Adam Jahn

FW Solomon Asante

FW Joey Calistri

MF Kevon Lambert

MF Jose Aginuaga

D Austin Ledbetter

D Kyle Bjornthun

In addition, PRFC re-signed CB Joey Farrell, and popular playmaking midfielder Jon Bakero on a permanent contract, completing a loan move from MLS’s Toronto FC. This appears to be, for the time being, all the returnees from last year’s roster, barring any late surprises, you won’t be seeing anyone else back. Jason Johnson, Woz, and Mala have officially said goodbye – Alessandro Riggi has signed with Halifax of the Canadian Premier League. While many of these players are excellent, the fact is that new blood is needed to compete for a USL Cup Championship – along with another one of management’s stated goals, a long US Open Cup run, something that is missing from AZ United/PRFC history – with the team’s best performance coming 5 years ago as they reached the 4th round and lost a home tilt to LA Galaxy 2-1 after holding an early lead before future USMNT star Gyasi Zardez put two past the United and sent the Galaxy onto the next round.

Who’s New

Rising looked to retool the roster while maintaining some semblance of the side that dominance of 2019 – and that effort starts in the midfield positions, with the Rising welcoming all-league second team MF/FW Santi Moar to the side after an 11 goal, 6 assist year with rival New Mexico United. The Rising also signed attacking midfielder and former Manchester United academy product Jack Barnby from San Antonio FC, coming off a strong 8 goal and 3 assist campaign in 2019. On the defensive side of the ball, Phoenix adds the USL Championship’s 2018 Defender of the Year, Darnell King – who also lead the league’s top defense with Nashville SC in 2019. Though the Rising appear to have lost Dia and Dumbuya, they gain Orange County SC feature fullback Owoso Anusu-Kontor, who started 15 matches with one of the USL’s top defensive sides in 2019. Corey Whelan’s first full season with PRFC round-outs a surely incomplete list of new additions in Phoenix for 2020.

The Rising look heavy on midfield depth, with an impressive start on the backline, but little depth outside of Calistri on the front line. With just over a month left to prepare for Febuary 15th’s Visit Tucson Sun Cup opener against MLS side Columbus Crew SC at Casino Arizona Field, PRFC is sure to add more to an alredy potent lineup. The Rising also have pre-season home matches scheduled against Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake before opening their 2020 regular season at home on Saturday, March 7th vs Timbers 2 at 7:30 PM.

Regular Season Schedule

Highlights include April 11th’s home match with expansion rivals San Diego Loyal SC, a road match March 14th against defending USC-C Champions Real Monarchs SLC in Herriman, Utah, and a home finale against rival Las Vegas Lights FC on October 9th. All home games are once again on a Friday or Saturday and the first $1 Beer Night is Friday, May 1st against Rio Grande Valley FC.