In Phoenix, a new ownership group, a new brand and a new vision for what soccer in Arizona can be has led to one of the most interesting offseasons in memory. Led by new principal owner Burke Bakay, the President and CEO of Kona Grill, Rising FC has been described as the “funnest teams in America,” and with the signings of former Mexico and Chivas de Guadalajara striker Omar Bravo and former England international Shaun Wright-Phillips, there’s plenty of sizzle to go with Bakay’s steak.

Will it work? It certainly could. Bravo and Wright-Phillips notwithstanding, Rising FC also brought back players like defenders Uchenna Uzo and Peter Ramage, and the duo of Chris Cortez and Luke Rooney, both of whom proved capable of the spectacular last season. Whatever happens, it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch.