MATCH DETAILS:
Orange County SC vs. Phoenix Rising FC
7 p.m. Saturday, Champions Soccer Stadium at OC Great Park, Irvine, Calif.
TV: Cox 4 (SD) and 1004 (HD) in Phoenix, Cox 7 (SD) and 1007 (HD)in Tucson
Live stream: YouTube
Radio: El Patron 93.7 FM
MatchCenter: OC vs. PRFC
The 2018 season is finally upon us and for Phoenix Rising FC, it’s all about redemption. Redemption from three draws against Orange County SC in 2017, and redemption for a tough first-round loss in the 2017 USL Western Conference Playoffs against Swope Park Rangers.
And redemption begins Saturday when Phoenix Rising travels to Orange County to begin the 2018 season.
Phoenix Rising in the preseason: Phoenix Rising faced tough competition in the preseason to prepare for the 2018 season. Playing in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup, Phoenix Rising played the New York Red Bulls twice, the Colorado Rapids, Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo. They also traveled to Ecuador to take on one LDU Quito, one of the top teams in the Ecuadorian league. Taking on some of the top clubs has prepared the club for the grind ahead.
What did we learn in the preseason?: We learned that Phoenix Rising will have a strong goaltending core despite the offseason loss of Josh Cohen to Sacramento Republic FC. Carl Woszczynski has played a solid preseason, Zac Lubin has come in and provided solid efforts, and Dallas Jaye will be a great compliment to the club. John Berner will begin the season on injured reserve.
The defensive back line has some issues headed into the season, as the team gave up a lot of goals on either set pieces or crosses into the middle, exposing a weakness in central defense. Joe Farrell was brought in from Rochester to shore up the middle, and Colorado loanee Mike da Fonte has had some glimpses of good play, and Doueuegi Mala has been solid. Amadou Dia and Victor Vasquez look to shore up the left back spot, with Kody Wakasa and Devante Dubose platooning on the right.
In the midfield, Phoenix Rising is solid. Kevon Lambert and Colin Fernandez have looked stone cold in defensive midfielder roles. Devin Vega, Billy Forbes, Solomon Asante and Alessandro Riggi have been strong wing players so far this preseason. Roles for Gladson Awako, Lucci Ricci, Evan Waldrep, and James Musa seem to be a question mark at this point.
Up front, Didier Drogba is the key, and where he plays on the field will depend on the nightly formation. Kevaughn Frater has been a huge signing for the club, and Jason Johnson will play a big role this season as well. Chris Cortez will also try to find his way on the field.
A look at Orange County: The first and most important change to Orange County in 2018 is at the top and its affliliation with MLS expansion side LAFC. Braeden Cloutier comes in to take over as coach for Logan Pause. Two of the biggest moves from Orange County came in the signings of Christian Duke and Nathaniel Selbol, both of whom came over from Swope Park Rangers. They re-signed Oscar Sorto, Richard Chaplow and Zach Kobayashi, bringing some stability back to the club. Last year the club finished 10th and just missed the playoffs.
2017 results: 1-1 draw July 8 @ Orange County, 1-1 draw Aug. 18 @ Orange County, 0-0 draw Sept. 6 @ Phoenix Rising.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI (4-4-2): GK- Carl Woszczynski; D- Amadou Dia (L), Doueuegi Mala (C), Joe Farrell (C), Kody Wakasa (R); DM- Kevon Lambert (L), Colin Fernandez (R); MF- Billy Forbes (L), Alessandro Riggi (R); F- Kevaughn Frater (L), Didier Drogba (R).
POSSIBLE SUBSTITUTES: GK- Zac Lubin; D- Victor Vasquez, Mike da Fonte; MF- Gladson Awako, Devin Vega; F- Jason Johnson, Chris Cortez.
