2023 Phoenix Rising FC season

The 2023 Phoenix Rising FC season was the club's tenth season in the USL Championship and their seventh as Rising FC. This season ended with Phoenix Rising winning their first USL Championship through the USLC Playoffs by winning 3–2 on penalty shootouts after a 1–1 tie after extra time against the Charleston Battery.

Phoenix Rising FC
2023 season
Owners
List
  • Berke Bakay
    Alex Zheng
    Tim Riester
    Mark Detmer
    Brett M. Johnson
    Didier Drogba
    Brandon McCarthy
    Diplo
    Pete Wentz
    David Rappaport
    Dave Stearns
    Rick Hauser
    William Kraus
    Kevin Kusatsu
    Mark Leber
    Jim Scussel
    Vincere Capital (Baer Fisher)
    Christopher Yeung
ManagerJuan Guerra
StadiumPhoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
USL Championship6th, Western Conference
USLC PlayoffsChampions
U.S. Open Cup3rd Round
Top goalscorerDanny Trejo (19)
Highest home attendance10,437
(April 1 vs San Diego Loyal SC)
(Club Record)
Lowest home attendance4,530
(October 7 vs New Mexico United)
Average home league attendance6,100
(4 of 17 results missing)
Biggest win6–0 (July 1 vs Memphis 901 FC)
(Ties team record)
Biggest defeat0–4 (July 26 vs Sacramento Republic FC)
← 2022
2024 →

Competitions edit

Friendlies edit

All times from this point on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-07:00)

February 8, 2023 (2023-02-08) Preseason Phoenix Rising FC 1–2 Colorado Springs Switchbacks Tucson, Arizona
  • Trialist   74'
Stadium: Kino North Stadium
Note: Closed door scrimmage
February 11, 2023 (2023-02-11) Preseason Phoenix Rising FC 5–2 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, Arizona
10:30 AM MST
  • ?   1'
  • ?   87'
Stadium: GCU Stadium
Note: Closed door scrimmage
February 18, 2023 (2023-02-18) Preseason Phoenix Rising FC 2–4 Sporting Kansas City Phoenix, Arizona
  • ?   33'
  • ?   51'
  • ?   67'
  • ?   81'
Stadium: GCU Stadium
Note: Closed door scrimmage
February 22, 2023 (2023-02-22) Preseason Atlante FC   1–1   Phoenix Rising FC Mexico City, Mexico
9:00 AM MST
PHX Report
Stadium: Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes
Note: Closed door scrimmage; 70 minute game
February 25, 2023 (2023-02-25) Preseason Pumas Tabasco   0–0   Phoenix Rising FC Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico
PHX Report Stadium: La Cantera
Note: Closed door scrimmage; 70 minute game
March 4, 2023 (2023-03-04) Preseason Phoenix Rising FC 3–2 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, Arizona
10:00 AM MST
  • ?   54'
  • ?   69' (pen.)
Stadium: GCU Stadium

[1]

USL Championship edit

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
34 12 12 10 54 41  +13 48 7 7 3 38 18  +20 5 5 7 16 23  −7

Source: Match reports

Results by round edit

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
GroundAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAAHHAAHHAHHAHHA
ResultDLDWDDWLWWLLDDWDWLDLWLWLWWWDWDDDLL
Position711129108788678888867101088777655454466
Updated to match(es) played on October 7, 2023. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches edit

March 11, 2023 1 Charleston Battery 1–1 Phoenix Rising FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
5:30 PM MST
PHX Report
CHS Report
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 3,513
Referee: Thomas Snyder
March 19, 2023 2 San Diego Loyal SC 3–0 Phoenix Rising FC San Diego, California
3:00 PM MST
PHX Report
SDG Report
Stadium: Torero Stadium
Attendance: 5,114
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
April 1, 2023 3 Phoenix Rising FC 2–2 San Diego Loyal SC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
SDG Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 10,437
Referee: Elton Garcia
April 9, 2023 4 Birmingham Legion FC 1–2 Phoenix Rising FC Birmingham, Alabama
2:30 PM MST
PHX Report
BHM Report
Stadium: Protective Stadium
Attendance: 4,750
Referee: John "JC" Griggs
April 15, 2023 5 Phoenix Rising FC 1–1 Monterey Bay FC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
MB Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 6,125
Referee: Katja Koroleva
April 22, 2023 6 San Antonio FC 1–1 Phoenix Rising FC San Antonio, Texas
5:30 PM MST
PHX Report
SAN Report
Stadium: Toyota Field
Attendance: 7,585
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
April 29, 2023 7 Phoenix Rising FC 3–1 Loudoun United FC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
LDN Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 7,334
Referee: Olvin Oliva
May 6, 2023 8 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–0 Phoenix Rising FC St. Petersburg, Florida
4:30 PM MST
PHX Report
TBR Report
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Elton Garcia
May 13, 2023 9 Phoenix Rising FC 3–1 Hartford Athletic Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
HFD Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Jonathan Bilinski
May 20, 2023 10 Orange County SC 0–1 Phoenix Rising FC Irvine, California
7:00 PM MST
PHX Report
OCO Report
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 4,301
Referee: Alexis Da Silva
June 3, 2023 12 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1–0 Phoenix Rising FC Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
4:00 PM MST
PHX Report
PGH Report
Stadium: Highmark Stadium
Attendance: 5,011
Referee: Elton Garcia
June 10, 2023 13 Phoenix Rising FC 2–2 Oakland Roots SC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
OAK Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 5,748
Referee: Malik Badawi
June 17, 2023 14 Phoenix Rising FC 2–2 Louisville City FC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
LOU Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
June 21, 2023 15 New Mexico United 1–3 Phoenix Rising FC Albuquerque, New Mexico
6:00 PM MST
PHX Report
NMU Report
Stadium: Isotopes Park
Attendance: 7,864
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
June 24, 2023 16 Oakland Roots SC 1–1 Phoenix Rising FC Hayward, California
7:00 PM MST
PHX Report
OAK Report
Stadium: Pioneer Stadium
Attendance: 3,002
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
July 1, 2023 17 Phoenix Rising FC 6–0 Memphis 901 FC Phoenix, Arizona
8:00 PM MST
PHX Report
MEM Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Brandon Stevis
July 8, 2023 18 Miami FC 2–1 Phoenix Rising FC Miami, Florida
4:00 PM MST
PHX Report
MIA Report
Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium
Referee: Austin Saini
July 22, 2023 19 Phoenix Rising FC 1–1 Colorado Springs Switchbacks Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
COS Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Calin Radosav
July 26, 2023 20 Sacramento Republic FC 4–0 Phoenix Rising FC Sacramento, California
PHX Report
SAC Report
Stadium: Heart Health Park
Attendance: 9,448
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
July 29, 2023 21 Monterey Bay FC 0–2 Phoenix Rising FC Seaside, California
7:00 PM MST
Stadium: Cardinale Stadium
Attendance: 3,578
Referee: Olvin Oliva
August 5, 2023 22 Phoenix Rising FC 1–2 San Antonio FC Phoenix, Arizona
8:00 PM MST
PHX Report
SAN Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
August 12, 2023 23 Phoenix Rising FC 5–0 El Paso Locomotive FC Phoenix, Arizona
8:00 PM MST
PHX Report
ELP Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Alexis Da Silva
August 19, 2023 24 Rio Grande Valley FC 1–0 Phoenix Rising FC Edinburg, Texas
5:00 PM MST
PHX Report
Stadium: H-E-B Park
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
August 26, 2023 25 Las Vegas Lights FC 2–3 Phoenix Rising FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Thomas Snyder
August 30, 2023 26 Phoenix Rising FC 2–1 Sacramento Republic FC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
SAC Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
September 2, 2023 27 Phoenix Rising FC 2–0 Rio Grande Valley FC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Melvin Rivas
September 9, 2023 28 FC Tulsa 0–0 Phoenix Rising FC Tulsa, Oklahoma
5:30 PM MST
PHX Report
TUL Report
Stadium: ONEOK Field
Attendance: 4,821
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
September 16, 2023 29 Phoenix Rising FC 5–0 Detroit City FC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
DET Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
September 20, 2023 30 Phoenix Rising FC 1–1 Indy Eleven Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
IND Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
September 23, 2023 31 El Paso Locomotive 1–1 Phoenix Rising FC El Paso, Texas
PHX Report
ELP Report
Stadium: Southwest University Park
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
September 30, 2023 32 Phoenix Rising FC 1–1 Orange County SC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Matthew Thompson
October 7, 2023 33 Phoenix Rising FC 1–2 New Mexico United Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
NMU Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
October 14, 2023 34 Colorado Springs Switchbacks 2–0 Phoenix Rising FC Colorado Springs, Colorado
PHX Report
Stadium: Weidner Field
Attendance: 8,023
Referee: John Griggs

[2][3]

Group table edit

Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
4 San Antonio FC 34 14 6 14 63 38 +25 56 Playoffs
5 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 34 16 13 5 49 42 +7 53
6 Phoenix Rising FC (C) 34 12 10 12 54 41 +13 48
7 El Paso Locomotive FC 34 13 13 8 41 51 −10 47
8 New Mexico United 34 13 14 7 51 49 +2 46
Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champions

U.S. Open Cup edit

As a member of the USL Championship, Phoenix Rising entered the tournament proper in the Second Round.[4][5]

April 5. 2023 Second Round Phoenix Rising FC 1–0 Greenville Triumph SC Phoenix, Arizona
7:30 PM MST
PHX Report
GVL Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Turan Ozdemir
April 26. 2023 Third Round New Mexico United 2–1 Phoenix Rising FC Albuquerque, New Mexico
6:00 PM MST
PHX Report
NMU Report
Stadium: Isotopes Park
Attendance: 4,126
Referee: William Hale

USL Championship Playoffs edit

Conference Playoffs edit

October 22, 2023 (2023-10-22) Quarterfinals San Diego Loyal SC 3–4 (a.e.t.) Phoenix Rising FC San Diego, California
7:30 pm PDT
PHX Report
SDG Report
Stadium: Torero Stadium
Attendance: 5,671
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
October 28, 2023 (2023-10-28) Semifinals Orange County SC 1–2 (a.e.t.) Phoenix Rising FC Irvine, California
7:30 pm PDT
PHX Report
OCO Report
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Calin Radosav
November 4, 2023 (2023-11-04) Final Sacramento Republic FC 1–2 Phoenix Rising FC Sacramento, California
7:00 pm PST
PHX Report
SAC Report
Stadium: Heart Health Park
Attendance: 11,569
Referee: Ricardo Fierro

USL Championship Final edit

November 12, 2023 (2023-11-12) USL Final Charleston Battery 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(2–3 p)
Phoenix Rising FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
7:00 PM EST
PHX Report
CHS Report
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 5,094
Referee: Elton Garcia
Penalties

Roster edit

No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Signed in Previous club
Goalkeepers
1 Rocco Ríos Novo   GK (2002-06-04) June 4, 2002 (age 21) 2023   CA Lanús (loan)
22 Patrick Rakovsky   GK (1993-06-02) June 2, 1993 (age 30) 2023   Orange County SC
Defenders
2 Darnell King   DF (1990-09-23) September 23, 1990 (age 33) 2021   Nashville SC
3 John Stenberg   DF (1992-10-12) October 12, 1992 (age 31) 2023   Östers IF
4 Daniel Krutzen   DF (1996-09-16) September 16, 1996 (age 27) 2023   Forge FC
5 Mohamed Traore   DF (2002-08-15) August 15, 2002 (age 21) 2023   Los Angeles FC (loan)
6 Baboucarr Njie   DF (1995-06-05) June 5, 1995 (age 28) 2022   Rio Grande Valley FC
15 Henry Uzochukwu   DF (1999-01-22) January 22, 1999 (age 25) 2022   KuPs
19 Niall Dunn   DF (2004-10-18) October 18, 2004 (age 19) 2021   Phoenix Rising Academy
23 Eddie Munjoma   DF (1998-07-18) July 18, 1998 (age 25) 2023   FC Dallas
30 Alejandro Fuenmayor   DF (1996-08-29) August 29, 1996 (age 27) 2022   Oakland Roots SC
35 Santi Hanus   DF (2005-04-08) April 8, 2005 (age 19) 2023[A]   Phoenix Rising Academy
Midfielders
8 José Hernández   MF (1996-04-12) April 12, 1996 (age 28) 2022   Oakland Roots SC
10 Federico Varela   MF (1996-05-07) May 7, 1996 (age 28) 2022   CSKA Sofia
13 Carlos Anguiano   MF (1999-09-13) September 13, 1999 (age 24) 2022   Tacoma Defiance
14 Emil Cuello   MF (1997-01-02) January 2, 1997 (age 27) 2023   Sacramento Republic FC
16 Gabriel Torres   MF (1996-08-01) August 1, 1996 (age 27) 2022   FC Tulsa
21 Panos Armenakas   MF (1998-08-05) August 5, 1998 (age 25) 2023   Loudoun United FC
26 Renzo Zambrano   MF (1994-08-26) August 26, 1994 (age 29) 2022   FC Pyunik
27 Kevon Lambert   MF (1997-03-22) March 22, 1997 (age 27) 2021   Montego Bay United
29 Dariusz Formella   MF (1995-10-21) October 21, 1995 (age 28) 2023   Oakland Roots SC
33 Joel Torbic   MF (2005-10-14) October 14, 2005 (age 18) 2023[A]   Phoenix Rising Academy
36 Efetobo Aror   MF (2005-09-26) September 26, 2005 (age 18) 2023[A]   Phoenix Rising Academy
45 Jack Ramirez   MF (2006-10-10) October 10, 2006 (age 17) 2023[A]   Phoenix Rising Academy
62 David Landis   MF (2006-03-03) March 3, 2006 (age 18) 2023[A]   Phoenix Rising Academy
67 Carlos Harvey   MF (2000-02-03) February 3, 2000 (age 24) 2023   LA Galaxy
Forwards
7 Erickson Gallardo   FW (1996-07-26) July 26, 1996 (age 27) 2022   Zamora FC
9 Manuel Arteaga   FW (1994-06-17) June 17, 1994 (age 29) 2022   Indy Eleven
17 Danny Trejo   FW (1998-04-29) April 29, 1998 (age 26) 2023   Los Angeles FC
28 Jackson Conway   FW (2001-12-03) December 3, 2001 (age 22) 2023   Atlanta United FC (loan)
40 Liam Mullins   FW (2005-07-15) July 15, 2005 (age 18) 2023[A]   Phoenix Rising Academy
  1. ^
    Phoenix Rising Academy contract.

[6][7]

Player transactions edit

Loan in edit

Start date End date Position No. Player From club Ref.
January 24, 2023 End of Season Goalkeeper 1   Rocco Ríos Novo   CA Lanús [8]
February 28, 2023 End of Season Defender 5   Mohamed Traore   Los Angeles FC [9]
March 17, 2023 June 9, 2023 Forward 28   Jackson Conway   Atlanta United FC [10][11]

Loan out edit

Start date End date Position No. Player To club Ref.
March 7, 2023 August 2, 2023 Defender 3   John Stenberg   Östers IF [12][13]

Transfer In edit

Date Position No. Player From club Ref.
June 2, 2023 Midfielder 21   Panos Armenakas   Loudoun United FC [14]
July 25, 2023 Midfielder 29   Dariusz Formella   Oakland Roots SC [15]

Transfer Out edit

Date Position No. Player To club Ref.
July 25, 2023 Defender 6   Baboucarr Njie   Oakland Roots SC [15]
August 16, 2023 Defender 27   Kevon Lambert   Real Salt Lake [16]

Statistics edit

As of November 12, 2023
(Regular Season & Playoffs) [17]

# Pos. Name GP GS Min. Goals Assists    
17 FW   Danny Trejo 37 34 3129 19 7 4 0
9 FW   Manuel Arteaga 37 31 2801 15 7 10 1
67 MF   Carlos Harvey 34 29 2639 6 6 10 1
29 FW   Dariusz Formella 17 8 840 5 0 1 0
21 FW   Panos Armenakas 27 23 1936 4 6 2 0
14 MF   Emil Cuello 21 5 629 3 2 3 0
23 DF   Eddie Munjoma 36 27 2551 2 2 4 0
10 MF   Fede Varela 26 15 1140 2 2 1 0
8 MF   José Hernández 34 24 2075 1 1 4 0
3 DF   John Stenberg 17 16 1541 1 0 3 0
27 MF   Kevon Lambert 15 15 1349 1 0 3 0
7 FW   Erickson Gallardo 21 9 996 1 5 0 0
16 MF   Gabriel Torres 16 8 708 1 5 3 0
6 DF   Baboucarr Njie 19 4 579 1 0 5 0
30 DF   Alejandro Fuenmayor 35 33 2986 0 0 13 0
26 MF   Renzo Zambrano 35 29 2747 0 2 12 0
4 DF   Daniel Krutzen 28 20 1906 0 0 4 0
5 DF   Mohamed Traore 24 20 1731 0 2 9 0
2 DF   Darnell King 26 20 1542 0 3 4 0
15 DF   Henry Uzochukwu 25 10 1090 0 2 4 0
13 MF   Carlos Anguiano 5 3 240 0 0 1 0
28 FW   Jackson Conway 8 0 53 0 0 1 1
36 MF   Efetobo Aror 1 0 4 0 0 0 0
40 FW   Liam Mullins 1 0 1 0 0 0 0

Goalkeepers edit

# Name GP GS Min. SV GA GAA SO    
1   Rocco Ríos Novo 36 36 3330 115 42 1.135 7 4 0
22   Patrick Rakovsky 2 2 180 9 5 2.500 0 0 0

References edit

  1. ^ Duran, Isabella (January 23, 2023). "Phoenix Rising Announces Preseason Schedule". Phoenix Rising Commusications. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  2. ^ Minnick, Jason (January 9, 2023). "USL Championship Unveils 2023 Regular Season Schedule". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  3. ^ "Phoenix Rising Schedule". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  4. ^ "LET THE CUPSETS BEGIN: #USOC2023 SECOND ROUND PAIRINGS SET". ussoccer.com. February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  5. ^ Minnick, Jason (February 16, 2023). "Phoenix Rising FC to Host Greenville Triumph SC in First Match of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "Phoenix Rising Roster". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  7. ^ Duran, Isabella (March 10, 2023). "Phoenix Rising FC Signs Four Players to USL Academy Contracts". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Duran, Isabella (January 24, 2023). "Phoenix Rising FC Signs Former Atlanta United Goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  9. ^ Minnick, Jason (February 28, 2023). "Defender Mohamed Traore Joins Phoenix Rising FC on Loan from LAFC". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  10. ^ Minnick, Jason (March 17, 2023). "Phoenix Rising FC Signs Forward Jackson Conway". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Minnick, Jason (June 9, 2023). "Forward Jackson Conway Recalled by Atlanta United". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  12. ^ "NEWS: Phoenix Rising FC has loaned defender John Stenberg to Östers IF". twitter.com. March 7, 2023.
  13. ^ Minnick, Jason (August 2, 2023). "Phoenix Rising FC Recalls John Stenberg from Loan to Östers FC". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  14. ^ Duran, Isabella (June 2, 2023). "Phoenix Rising Signs Midfielder Panayioti "Panos" Armenakas". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Minnick, Jason (July 25, 2023). "Phoenix Rising Acquires Dariusz Formella from Oakland Roots in Exchange for Baboucarr Njie". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  16. ^ Duran, Isabella (August 16, 2023). "Phoenix Rising FC Transfers Kevon Lambert to Real Salt Lake". Phoenix Rising Communications. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "Phoenix Rising FC 2023 Player Stats". Retrieved November 12, 2023.