May 20, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release
Phoenix Rising heads into its midweek U.S. Open Cup match with MLS side (7:30 p.m. on USSoccer.com), Seattle Sounders FC at Starfire Sports Complex riding a five-game unbeaten streak dating back to April 20. During that stretch, Phoenix has allowed just 0.80 goals per game, traveled to the East Coast twice, tied the best defensive team in the Eastern Conference (Detroit), 1-1 away and earned a draw with the top team in the Western Conference (1-1 vs. Sacramento Republic).
“We now have a tough game against a very good opponent away from home,” said Danny Stone following Saturday’s 2-0 win vs. Miami FC. “We’ve done that a week ago, so we’re well practiced at that. Tonight’s game was another good performance and a positive result. That leads nicely into the next game and hopefully gives us a feeling of confidence heading into [Wednesday].”
Seattle is 3-3-4 across all competitions since April 1 and currently sits 10th in the MLS’ Western Conference. They advanced to this Round of 16 match via kicks from the mark (5-4) following a 2-2 draw with Louisville City at Starfire Sports Complex on May 8. Seattle leads the league in red cards this season (4) and has a 0-2-2 record in those matches.
In three of its last seven matches, Seattle has taken a lead and then allowed late goals, as was the case in its Open Cup match against Louisville. The USL side came from behind, scoring in the 67th and 89th minutes to erase a 2-0 deficit and send the match to penalties.
Seattle also went ahead 3-0 vs. Philadelphia on April 30, then allowed two goals and watched the Union put a header off the crossbar late before hanging on for the 3-2 win. Last week, Seattle led the majority of the match, only to give up a late penalty kick goal to Vancouver to draw, 1-1.
“We know we have a very good team,” said Rising’s No. 10, who scored a goal and had an assist in a 2-0 win on Saturday. “We know our capacity to play. We have confidence in our style of play. It is an important game for us against an MLS team. There will be additional visibility for us to show our quality, our character and the identity of Phoenix Rising.”
Varela (2G, 1A, 10CC, 10 appearances), who is already approaching his output from 2023 (2G, 2A, 20 CC, 26 appearances) just 12 games into the 2024 season will be an important piece if Phoenix is to pull off an upset and advance to its first U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal on…