PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com HOME
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USL RECORD: 17-8-7
USL RECORD: 17-8-7
MATCH INFO COMPETITION: Phoenix Rising FC at Swope Park Rangers DATE: October 21, 2017 KICKOFF: 5:30 p.m. LOCATION: Children’s Mercy Field REFEREE: Guido Gonzales, Jr. ARS: Jeremy Kieso, Matthew Seem FOURTH OFFICIAL: Matt Miller BROADCAST: YurView Cox 4 & 1004 (HD), USL YouTube Page
MATCH PREVIEW After a record regular season that saw the club win a franchise-best 58 points and 17 games, Rising FC enters the playoffs as the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. Swope Park Rangers, the defending Western Conference champion, also finished the season with 58 points, but earned the No. 4 seed – and home playoff game – thanks to a goal differential tiebreaker. Phoenix Rising was successful this season against Swope Park. In the clubs’ first meeting on April 23 in Arizona, Rising FC scored the first four goals of the match, then hung on to win 4-3 . Last season, Swope Park also finished fourth in the Western Conference and caught fire in the postseason. The team won in each of the USL Playoff’s first three rounds, outscoring its opponents by a combined 8-1 score to reach the USL Cup Final, before falling 5-1 to New York Red Bulls II.
2017 USL SCHEDULE (14-7-7) March 25 April 1 April 8 April 23 May 6 May 13 May 20 May 27 June 6 June 10 June 18 June 24 June 30 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Augst 5 August 12 August 18 August 26 Sept 2 Sept 6 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 20 Sept 24 Sept 27 Sept 30 October 4 October 7 October 14
Toronto FC II at Real Monarchs SLC LA Galaxy II Swope Park Rangers Reno 1868 FC OKC Energy FC at San Antonio FC at LA Galaxy II at OKC Energy FC Whitecaps FC 2 at Swope Park Rangers Real Monarchs SLC at Reno 1868 FC at Orange County SC COL. Springs Switchbacks FC at Tulsa Roughnecks FC San Antonio FC at LA Galaxy II at Rio Grande Valley FC at Orange County SC Sacramento Republic FC Seattle Sounders FC 2 Orange County SC at COL Springs Switchbacks FC Real Monarchs SLC at Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Whitecaps FC 2 at Timbers FC 2 at Sacramento Republic FC Tulsa Roughnecks FC Rio Grande Valley FC Timbers FC 2
L, 0-1 L, 0-2 W, 2-1 W, 4-3 L, 0-4 W, 2-1 L, 0-1 W, 2-1 L, 2-3 W, 2-1 D, 2-2 D, 1-1 D, 0-0 D, 1-1 W, 2-1 L, 0-3 L, 0-1 W, 2-0 D, 1-1 D, 1-1 W, 3-1 W, 2-0 D, 0-0 W, 2-1 W, 2-0 W, 1-0 W, 4-0 W, 2-0 L, 0-2 W, 4-3 W, 2-0 W, 4-1
PHX Rising Soccer Complex Rio Tinto Stadium PHX Rising Soccer Complex PHX Rising Soccer Complex PHX Rising Soccer Complex PHX Rising Soccer Complex Toyota Field Stubhub Center/Track Taft Stadium PHX Rising Soccer Complex Children’s Mercy Park
PHX Rising Soccer Complex Greater Nevada Field OC Great Park PHX Rising Soccer Complex ONEOK Field PHX Rising Soccer Complex Stubhub Center/Track H-E-B Park OC Great Park PHX Rising Soccer Complex PHX Rising Soccer Complex PHX Rising Soccer Complex Weidner Field PHX Rising Soccer Complex Starfire Sports Complex Thunderbird Stadium Providence Park Papa Murphy’s Park PHX Rising Soccer Complex PHX Rising Soccer Complex PHX Rising Soccer Complex
INJURY/SUSPENSION REPORT
Injuries: Rooney — out (lower body) Suspension: None
PHOENIX RISING FC COMMUNICATIONS H. Jose Bosch | jose@phxrisingfc.com | 540.435.6097
PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com
HEAD COACH: PATRICE CARTERON Beginning his head-coaching career for AS Cannes, Carteron has achieved tremendous success during his eleven years as a manager. Under his leadership: — Dijon FCO was promoted to first division of the French Premier League. — Mali placed third in the Africa Cup of Nations and rose to a FIFA rank of 21. — TP Mazembe won two league titles, three African Super Cup titles and one African Champions League title. — Wadi Degla won 20 matches, tied four and lost only six during its 30-match season. — And, most recently in 2017, Al Nassr finished third qualifying for the Asian Champion’s League.
Prior to his career as a head coach, Carteron played at the highest levels of soccer in Europe. During his 16-year career as a player, he performed in 416 matches and scored 31 goals. Twice, Ligue 1 named him “Defensive Right Back Player of the Year.”
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH: RICK SCHANTZ Schantz was the head coach for Premier Development League soccer team FC Tucson. During his tenure, the team had a winning 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. Schantz also worked in youth soccer in Tucson for 20 years coaching several teams across a variety of ages in the Tucson soccer community. He founded Calcio FC while constructing and maintaining the club’s fields. Schantz also organized the Gunners Competitive Program at Fort Lowell Soccer Club, which helped the club grow threefold to over 900 members. Recently, he was a coach with the CDO Soccer Club while serving on its Board of Directors.
GOALKEEPER COACH: CORY ROBERTSON Cory Robertson brings a local touch to Phoenix Rising Football Club, as he enters his fourth season as goalkeeper coach. Under Robertson’s tutelage, Arizona United SC goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski set a USL record for most saves in a season (130) in 2015. The previous record had been 115. Woszczynski also set a club record for goalkeeper minutes played with 2,430 minutes (he appeared in 27 of the club’s 28 matches). In Robertson’s first season, Arizona United SC goalkeepers combined to finish second in the USL PRO in saves and sixth in shutouts with five. Before joining Phoenix Rising FC, Robertson served as the Director of Goalkeeping with Arizona Soccer Club. Prior to that, as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s programs at Drexel University, helping both programs to conference championships and the men’s program to the NCAA Tournament after a 40 year absence.
PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com 1
Carl Woszczynski
Doueugui Jean Marie Mala
2
HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 200 DOB: 4/18/88 BIRTHPLACE: Columbus, Indiana ACQUIRED: 2015 COLLEGE: UAB LAST CLUB: Arizona United
HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 173 DOB: 12/20/93 BIRTHPLACE: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: Williamsville Athletic Club
2017: Made first league appearence in 3-2 loss to OKC Energy FC on June 6... Recorded first shutout of the season in 2-0 victory over LA Galaxy II on August 5, 2017.
2017: Signed with Phoenix Rising on August 10, 2017...Played in the Côte d’Ivoire Ligue 1 with Williamsville Athletic Club based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. His club finished just three points out of the top spot in the league and qualified for the 2018 CAF Champions League.
2016: Appeared in 24 matches (2,160 minutes) for Arizona United. … Recorded five shutouts.
Kody Wakasa
3
Blair Gavin
4
HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 171 DOB: 5/6/94 BIRTHPLACE: Hillsborough, California ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: Cal Poly LAST CLUB: Cal Poly
HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 169 DOB: 1/8/89 BIRTHPLACE: Scottsdale, Arizona ACQUIRED: 2016 COLLEGE: Akron LAST CLUB: Portland Timbers 2
2017: Scored his first professional goal in Phoenix Rising FC’ 3-1 win over Fresno Fuego in the U.S. Open Cup on May 17, 2017. ... Made professional debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ... Signed first professional contract with Phoenix Rising FC on March 24, 2017.
2017: Made his first league start on June 6 in 3-2 loss to OKC Energy FC. 2016: Second-most appearances for the club in 2016. … Appeared in 28 matches (2,427 minutes), collecting one assist. … Made Arizona United debut on March 26, 2016, as a starter in a 2-0 loss to Los Angeles Galaxy II.
PHOENIX RISING FC
www.phxrisingfc.com Peter Ramage
5
Miguel Timm
6
HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 183 DOB: 11/22/83 BIRTHPLACE: Ashington, England ACQUIRED: 2016 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: Leyton Orient
HEIGHT: 5-9 WEIGHT: 163 DOB: 1/31/92 BIRTHPLACE: Durban, South Africa ACQUIRED: 2016 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: Mpumalanga Black Aces
2017: Scored his first career goal with the club in Phoenix Rising FC’s 4-3 win over Swope Park Rangers on April 23, 2017.
2017: Made first league start on May 20, 2017, in 1-0 road loss to San Antionio FC.
2016: Appeared in 11 matches (945 minutes) and had one assist. … Signed with Arizona United SC on August 3, 2016. … Appeared in eight matches while on loan with English Side Leyton Orient. … Appeared in four matches with English side Coventry City.
2016: Appeared in 15 matches (1,034 minutes) with Arizona United, notching two assists. … Made Arizona United debut on March 26, 2016, as a starter in a 2-0 loss to Los Angeles Galaxy II.
Chris Cortez
7
Matt Watson
8
HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 178 DOB: 7/24/88 BIRTHPLACE: Mission Viejo, California ACQUIRED: 2016 COLLEGE: California LAST CLUB: OC Blues FC
HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 171 DOB: 1/31/85 BIRTHPLACE: Redditch, England ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: North Carolina FC
2017: Scored his first goal of the season in Phoenix Rising FC’s 4-3 win over Swope Park Rangers on April 23.
2017: Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on March 4, 2017.
2016: Appeared in 27 matches (1,767 minutes) and scored seven goals while dishing out four assists for Arizona United SC. ... His 18 points was the thirdmost on the team. 2015: Appeared in 24 matches (1,618 minutes) and scored six goals with two assists for OC Blues FC.
PHOENIX RISING FC
www.phxrisingfc.com Omar Bravo
9
Luke Rooney
10
HEIGHT: 5-6 WEIGHT: 162 DOB: 3/4/80 BIRTHPLACE: Los Mochis, Mexico ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: North Carolina FC
HEIGHT: 5-8 WEIGHT: 175 DOB: 12/28/90 BIRTHPLACE: Bermondsey, England ACQUIRED: 2016 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: Crawley Town
2017: Notched first assist with the club on Luke Rooney’s game-winning goal over LA Galaxy II on April 8, 2017. ... Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on February 9, 2017.
2017: Suffered a right ACL tear in match against OKC Energy FC on May 13, 2017. ... Named to the USL Team of the Week for the Week of April 25, 2017. ... Notched a goal and an assist in Phoenix Rising FC’s 4-3 win over Swope Park Rangers on April 23. ... Named to the USL Team of the Week for the week of April 11, 2017. ... Scored a brace in Phoenix Riing FC’s 2-1 win over LA Galaxy II on April 8. 2016: Appeared in 24 matches (1,972 minutes) with eight goals and five assists. ... His 26 points is the third-highest regular season tally in the club’s history. ... Named Arizona United SC’s MVP by the club’s supporters.
Didier Drogba HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 185 DOB: 3/11/78 BIRTHPLACE: Abidjan, Ivory Coast ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: Montreal Impact
11
2017: Scored first brace with the club in 2-2 draw at Swope Park Rangers on June 18, 2017...Scored first goal and collected first assist with the club in Phoenx Rising FC’s 2-1 win over Whitecaps FC 2 on June 10, 2017. ... Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in the club’s 2-1 win over Whitecaps FC 2 on June 10, 2017. ...Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on April 12, 2017.
John Berner
12
HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 205 DOB: 2/14/91 BIRTHPLACE: St. Louis, Missouri ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: SIU-Edwardsville LAST CLUB: Colorado Rapids 2017: Loaned out from Colorado Rapids to Phoenix Rising FC on September 7.
PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com
Eder Arreola
13
Jason Johnson
14
HEIGHT: 5-6 WEIGHT: N/A DOB: 11/13/91 BIRTHPLACE: Los Angeles, California ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: UCLA LAST CLUB: Shirak
HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 160 DOB: 10/9/90 BIRTHPLACE: Happy News, Jamaica ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: VCU LAST CLUB: San Antonio FC
2017: Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on April 28, 2017...Scored first goal for the club on June 6, 2017 in a 3-2 loss to OKC Energy FC. 2016: Appeared in 10 matches with Armenian side FC Shirak 2015: Appeared in three matches with PDL side Ventura County 2014: Appeared in 11 matches with USL side LA Galaxy II 2012-2013: Appeared in 25 matches with Mexican side Delfines FC 2012: Appeared in four matches with Cal FC 2009: Appeared in six matches with PDL side OC Blur Star 2008-2011: Played college soccer with UCLA
2017: Was awarded USL Player of the Week and Team of the Week honors after scoring a brace in the club’s 2-1 win over Colorado Springs Switchbcks FC on July 15, 2017...Scored first goal for the club on Saturday May 13, 2017, in Phoenix Rising FC’s 2-1 win over OKC Energy FC. ... Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on November 15, 2016.
Jordan Gibbons
15
Sam Hamilton
16
HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 152 DOB: 11/18/93 BIRTHPLACE: Bromley, England ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: Wingate & Finchley
HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 180 DOB: 7/26/95 BIRTHPLACE: Denver, Colorado ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: Denver University LAST CLUB: Colordo Rapids
2017: Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 3-1 win over Fresno Fuego in the U.S. Open Cup on May 17, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on April 28, 2017. 2016: Member of English side Wingate & Finchley 2015-2016: Appeared in three matches with English side Yeovil Town 2011-2015: Member of English side Queens Park Rangers. … Went on loan for one match with Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2013.
2017: Played in 3 games (1 start) with MLS side Colorado Rapids...Was selected 15th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. 2013-16: Scored 3 goals and 13 assists over 83 appearances with Denver University...Was captain of Pioneer squad that won the 2016 NCAA College Cup.
PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com
Alessandro Riggi
17
Josh Cohen
18
HEIGHT: 5-4 WEIGHT: 147 DOB: 11/30/93 BIRTHPLACE: Montrea, Canada ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: FC Montreal
HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 176 DOB: 8/18/92 BIRTHPLACE: Sunnyvale, California ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: UC San Diego LAST CLUB: OC Blues FC
2017: Named to the USL Team of the Week Bench for the week of April 25. ... Scored first career goal with the club in Phoenix Rising FC’s 4-3 win over Swope Park Rangers on April 23. ... Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a sub in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on February 19, 2017.
2017: Was awarded USL Save of the Week and USL Team of the Week for Week 15 on July 6, 2017...Recorded first clean sheet with the club in 0-0 draw at Reno 1868 FC on June 30, 2017...Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on December 21, 2016.
Amadou Dia
19
Romilio Hernandez
20
HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 150 DOB: 6/8/93 BIRTHPLACE: Nantes, France ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: Clemson LAST CLUB: Montreal Impact
HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 173 DOB: 9/20/95 BIRTHPLACE: Lanham, Maryland ACQUIRED: 2016 COLLEGE: Lousville LAST CLUB: Lousville
2017: Named to the USL Team of the Week for the week of June 13 after assisting on Didier Drogba’s debut goal on June 10...Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on June 10, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on June 9, 2017.
2017: Made professional debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-2 loss to Real Monarchs SLC on April 1, 2017. ... Signed first professional contract with Phoenix Rising FC on March 24, 2017.
PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com
Matthew Hurlow-Paonessa
23
A.J. Gray
24
HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 180 DOB: 7/17/94 BIRTHPLACE: Escondido, California ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: Chico State LAST CLUB: San Diego Zest FC
HEIGHT: 5-7 WEIGHT: 158 DOB: 4/12/88 BIRTHPLACE: Brampton, Ontario, Canada ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: OC Blues OC
2017: Made first league start with club in 0-3 loss to Tulsa Roughnecks on July 22, 2017. Made professional debut as a sub in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-2 loss to Real Monarchs SLC on April 1, 2017. ... Signed first professional contract with Phoenix Rising FC on December 16, 2016.
2017: Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a sub in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on December 22, 2016.
Victor Vasquez
25
Kevon Lambert
27
HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 171 DOB: 7/8/93 BIRTHPLACE: Anaheim, California ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: Cal State Northridge LAST CLUB: FC Golden State Force
HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 165 DOB: 3/22/97 BIRTHPLACE: Saint James Parish, Jamaica ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: Montego Bay United
2017: Made professional debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ... Signed first professional contract with Phoenix Rising FC on December 15, 2016.
2016: Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on August 10, 2017...Appeared in 12 matches with Jamaican side Montego Bay United...Was on trial at West Ham United before the 2016-17 English Premier League season.
PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com
Gladson Awako
28
Shaun Wright-Phillips
29
HEIGHT: 5-6 WEIGHT: 152 DOB: 12/31/90 BIRTHPLACE: Berekum, Ghana ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: TP Mazembe
HEIGHT: 5-6 WEIGHT: 151 DOB: 10/25/81 BIRTHPLACE: Greenwich, England ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: New York Red Bulls II
2017:Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on September 5, 2017.
2017: Scored first goal with the club, and a stoppage-time winner, in Phoenix Rising FC’s 2-1 win over OKC Energy on May 13, 2017. ... Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on February 24, 2017.
Eric Avila
30
Jordan Stewart
33
HEIGHT: 5-8 WEIGHT: N/A DOB: 11/24/87 BIRTHPLACE: San Diego, California ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: UC Santa Barbara LAST CLUB: Tampa Bay Rowdies
HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 180 DOB: 10/25/81 BIRTHPLACE: Birmingham, England ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: N/A LAST CLUB: San Jose Earthquakes
2017: His two goals in all competitions is tied for second most on the team... Scored first goal with the club in Phoenix Rising FC’s 3-1 win over Fresno Fuego in the U.S. Open Cup on May 17, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on April 28, 2017. 2016: Appeared in 30 matches for NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies, scoring four goals. 2015: On loan with MLS side Orlando City SC (from Mexican side Santos Laguna) for 21 matches, scoring one goal. 2013-2014: Appeared in 57 matches with MLS side Chivas USA, scoring three goals.
2017: Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-2 loss to Real Monarchs SLC on March 1, 2017. ... Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on February 24, 2017.
PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com
J.J. Greer
34
Nolan Wirth
55
HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 170 DOB: 2/4/91 BIRTHPLACE: Memphis, Tennessee ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: Memphis LAST CLUB: COS Switchbacks FC
HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 190 DOB: 1/24/95 BIRTHPLACE: Burnaby, B.C., Canada ACQUIRED: 2017 COLLEGE: Oregon State LAST CLUB: Oregon State
2017: Made Phoenix Rising FC debut as a starter in Phoenix Rising FC’s 0-1 loss to Toronto FC II on March 25, 2017. ...Scored his first goal for Phoenix Rising FC on June 6, 2017 in a 3-2 loss to OKC Energy FC. Signed with Phoenix Rising FC on November 15, 2016.
2017: Singed first professional contract with Phoenix Rising FC on June 9, 2017.
PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com
PLAYER STATS PLAYER
GP
STARTS
SUB OFF
GOALKEEPER STATS
MINUTES
Matthew Watson 30 24 5 2,225 Jason Johnson 29 18 5 1,785 Josh Cohen 27 27 - 2,430 Shaun Wright-Phillips 26 22 9 1,922 Kody Wakasa 25 24 2 2,167 Peter Ramage 25 25 1 2,194 AJ Gray 24 7 3 824 Víctor Vásquez 24 24 6 2,060 Jordan Stewart 22 22 1 1,959 Amadou Dia 21 19 2 1,711 Alessandro Riggi 20 15 10 1,195 Chris Cortez 20 18 7 1,533 Blair Gavin 17 12 7 1,050 Didier Drogba 13 12 2 1,076 Omar Bravo 13 11 4 1,009 Sam Hamilton 13 8 2 705 Eric Avila 11 5 2 534 Gladson Awako 10 7 4 635 Miguel Timm 10 9 5 743 Mike Seth 10 4 4 354 Doueugui Mala 9 8 - 735 Kevon Lambert 9 7 1 685 Matthew Hurlow-Paonessa 8 3 3 273 JJ Greer 7 4 - 438 Jordan Gibbons 7 6 2 494 Eder Arreola 6 - - 109 Carl Woszczynski 5 5 - 450 Luke Rooney 5 5 4 317 Romilio Hernández 2 2 2 113 Uchenna Uzo 1 1 - 90
Goals SF Carl Woszczynski 6 21 Josh Cohen 31 108
Goals Jason Johnson — 13 Didier Drogba — 9 Chris Cortez — 5 Alessandro Riggi — 4 Luke Rooney — 3 S. Wright-Phiips — 3 Peter Ramage — 2 Amadou Dia — 2 Peter Ramage — 2 Eder Arreola — 1 Eric Avila — 1 AJ Gray — 1 JJ Greer — 1 Sam Hamilton — 1
SAV
Save % CS
15 77
71.4 71.3
1 8
STAT LEADERS
Assists Chris Cortez — 5 Kody Wakasa — 4 Jason Johnson — 3 Shaun Wright-Phillips — 3 Didier Drogba — 3 Alessandro Riggi — 3 Amadou Dia — 3 Gladson Awako — 2 Omar Bravo — 2 M. Hurlow-Paonessa — 1 Blair Gavin — 1
Chances Shaun Wright-Phillips — 52 Chris Cortez — 28 Didier Drogba — 26 Alessandro Riggi — 23 Víctor Vásquez — 20 Jason Johnson — 20 Omar Bravo — 19 Amadou Dia — 15 Matt Watson— 14 Kody Wakasa — 13
Shots Didier Drogba — 60 Jason Johnson — 53 Chris Cortez — 51 S. Wright-Phillips — 26 Alessandro Riggi — 24
USL WEEKLY HONORS Week 3: Luke Rooney (Team of the Week) Week 5: Luke Rooney (Team of the Week) Week 5: Alessandro Riggi (Team of the Week-Honorable Mention) Week 8: Shaun Wright-Phillips (Team of the Week) Week 8: Omar Bravo (Team of the Week-Honorable Mention) Week 10: Jason Johnson (Team of the Week) Week 12: Amadou Dia (Team of the Week) Week 12: Didier Drogba (Team of the Week-Honorable Mention) Week 13: Didier Drogba (Team of the Week) Week 15: Josh Cohen (Team of the Week) Week 15: Josh Cohen (Save of the Week) Week 16: Didier Drogba (Team of the Week-Honorable Mention) Week 17: Jason Johnson (Player of the Week)
Week 17: Jason Johnson (Team of the Week) Week 20: Alessandro Riggi (Team of the Week-Honorable Mention) Week 23: Chris Cortez (Team of the Week) Week 24: Josh Cohen (Team of the Week) Week 25: Victor Vasquez (Team of the Week) Week 25: A.J. Gray (Team of the Week-Honorable Mention) Week 26: Sam Hamilton (Team of the Week-Honorable Mention) Week 27: Alessandro Riggi, Team of the Week Week 28: Shaun Wright-Phillips, Team of the Week Week 29: Jason Johnson, Team of the Week; Didier Drogba, Team of the Week Honorable Mention Week 30: Didier Drogba, Team of the Week
PHOENIX RISING FC www.phxrisingfc.com
PHOENIX RISING FC 2017 NUMERICAL ROSTER/PRONUNCIATION GUIDE # NAME POS. PRONUNCIATION HOMETOWN LAST CLUB 1 Carl Woszczynski GK Wah-ZIN-ski Columbus, Indiana Arizona United 2 Doueugui Mala D do-WE-gee, mah-la Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Williamsvile AC 3 Kody Wakasa D wah-KAH-saw Hillsborough, California Cal Poly 4 Blair Gavin M Scottsdale, Arizona Portland Timbers 2 5 Peter Ramage D RAM-edge Ashington, England Leyton Orient 6 Miguel Timm M Durban, South Africa Mpumalanga Black Aces 7 Chris Cortez F Mission Viejo, California OC Blues FC 8 Matt Watson M Redditch, England North Carolina FC 9 Omar Bravo F Los Mochis, Mexico North Carolina FC 10 Luke Rooney M Bermondsey, England Crawley Town 11 Didier Drogba F dih-dee-AY, DRAWG-ba Abidjan, Ivory Coast Montreal Impact 12 John Berner GK burner St. Louis, Missouri Colorado Rapids 13 Eder Arreola M ED-er, AH-ree-oh-la Los Angeles, Calif. FC Shirak 14 Jason Johnson ` F Happy News, Jamaica San Antonio FC 15 Jordan Gibbons M Bromley, England Wingate & Finchley 16 Sam Hamilton M Denver, Colorado Colorado Rapids 17 Alessandro Riggi M ah-less-ahn-dro, ree-jee Montreal, Canada FC Montreal 18 Josh Cohen GK Sunnyvale, California OC Blues FC 19 Amadou Dia D ah-mah-doo, DEE-ah Nantes, France Sporting Kansas City 20 Romilio Hernandez M row-MILL-ee-oh, her-NON-des Lanham, Maryland Louisville 23 Matthew Hurlow-Paonessa F her-low, pay-oh-ness-ah Escondido, California San Diego Zest FC 24 A.J. Gray M Brampton, Ontario, Canada OC Blues OC 25 Victor Vasquez D Anaheim, California FC Golden State Force 27 Kevon Lambert M Clarendon Parish Jamaica 28 Gladson Awako M glad-son, oh-wah-koe Berekum, Ghana TP Mazembe 29 Shaun Wright-Phillips M Greenwich, England New York Red Bulls II 30 Eric Avila M AH-vee-la San Diego, Calif. Tampa Bay Rowies 33 Jordan Stewart D Birmingham, England San Jose Earthquakes 34 J.J. Greer, Jr. D Memphis, Tennessee COS Switchbacks FC 55 Nolan Wirth GK worth Burnaby, B.C, Canada Oregon State
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PHOENIX RISING FC 2017 NUMERICAL ROSTER/PRONUNCIATION GUIDE WIN OR GO HOME For the first time in its history, Phoenix Rising FC will play a postseason game this Saturday at Swope Park Rangers. The club finished the season with a franchise best 58 points and 17 wins this season to clinch its first-ever playoff berth. Since head coach Patrice Carteron took over on June 10, Rising FC has only lost three times in 23 matches, a run that escalated the team into the Western Conference playoff picture as the No. 5 seed. Swope Park Rangers also finished the season with 58 points, but secured the No. 4 seed and home playoff game via a goal difference tiebreaker. RANGERS CUP RUN While 2017 is the first time Phoenix Rising FC will experience the playoffs, Swope Park Rangers have plenty of experience in USL’s postseason tournament. In its debut campaign last year, the club was also the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and navigated its way past LA Galaxy II (3-0), Orange County SC (2-1 after extra time) and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (3-0) to win the conference and reach the USL Cup Final. Swope Park lost the cup final, 5-1, to New York Red Bulls II. FINDING THEIR STRIDE Phoenix Rising FC enter the postseason on fire after finishing the regular season with 8 wins in its final 9 matches. After a bumpy 4-5 start to the campaign, Phoenix Rising went 13-3-7 over its final 23 games. The club jumped up the Western Conference table during the run of success. After nine games, the team sat in 11th place, before finally breaking into the top eight for the first time on September 2, and reaching the fifth spot on September 20. CLEANING UP THE BACK As Phoenix Rising improved its defense this season, its record improved as well. After nine games this year, Phoenix Rising had conceded 17 goals and failed to keep a clean sheet. But after head coach Patrice Carteron arrived on June 10, the team’s defense steadily improved. Over the season’s final 23 games, the team gave up just 20 more goals and shut out its opponents nine times. Over the season’s final 16 games, Phoenix Rising gave up just 11 goals and only conceded more than once in a game two times. In half of those final 16 matches, Rising FC kept a clean sheet. WEAPONS UP FRONT Phoenix Rising FC enter the playoffs with plenty of attacking options to call upon. Didier Drogba is most notable, especially after scoring 8 goals in his 12 starts. Drogba converted on 13% of shots and registered 60 attempts overall. Jason Johnson was Rising FC’s leading scorer over the entirety of the season, finding the back of the net 13 times. Those 13 goals were eighth most in the USL and the second most ever scored by a Phoenix Rising player in a single season. Chris Cortez also added 5 goals for the club this year and also led the team in assists with five helpers. IRONMAN Entering the postseason, no Rising FC player played more games than midfielder Matt Watson. Watson failed to appear in only two games, making 30 appearances to lead the team this year. Jason Johnson was the next most used player, appearing in 29 matches during the season. Four outfield players (Watson, Peter Ramage, Kody Wakasa and Victor Vasquez) finished the season with over 2,000 minutes played, while 14 total players eclipsed the 1,000 minutes played mark.