May 13, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Phoenix Rising FC News Release
The home leg of the rematch from the 2020 league final that never was – Rising hosts Tampa Bay this Sunday (6 p.m. on ESPN2) at Wild Horse Pass.
“We’re really excited to host Tampa,” said Rising head coach Rick Schantz. “They’re a very good team. Neil Collins is a fantastic coach. They play a very entertaining, attacking, aggressive style of football. It’ll be fun for the fans to watch.”
Rising and Tampa Bay were set to meet in the 2020 USL Championship final, only to have COVID end both club’s seasons 24-hours prior to kickoff. Tampa hosted the lone regular-season meeting in 2021, winning, 2-1, at home on May 15, 2021 – 362 days ago. An own goal and a Steevan Dos Santos strike in the 61st minute edged out a goal from Santi Moar in the 61st minute of that match.
The combination of U.S. Open Cup dates and league play against a physical side like San Antonio FC has Rising limping a bit. James Musa has missed all but one match this season due to a hamstring strain. An ankle knock has kept Rising’s 2021 Golden Boot winner Santi Moar from finding his potent goalscoring form.
“We have to be able to put the next guy out there and get after it,” said Schantz prior to the club’s U.S. Open Cup match on Wednesday. “We’ve proven that we can do it so far.”
Carlos Anguiano started his first match of the season in Sacramento and Phoenix’s newest signing, center back Sivert Haugli gave Joe Farrell some much-needed rest. Prior to Wednesday, Farrell had played all 1,020 minutes for the club this season.
“Sivert was very good,” said Schantz. “Carlos really grew into the game. I am really happy for him. He needed this experience. Joey Calistri was playing defensive midfield for us. We’ve got a lot of injuries. I’m proud of the boys. It was a really good performance. I’m feeling more and more confident about where we are going to be as a team.”
Where Phoenix is looking to be is back atop the…
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