Match #3: Reno 1868 FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC
4 p.m., Greater Nevada Field, Reno, NV.
TV: Cox 4 (SD) and 1004 (HD) in Phoenix, Cox 7 (SD) and 1007 (HD)in Tucson
Live Stream: YouTube
Radio: El Patron 97.3 FM (Spanish)
USL Matchcenter: RNO vs. PRFC
Last Week: Phoenix dominated in their home opener, a 4-1 victory over OKC Energy FC. Chris Cortez was in the spotlight as he bagged his first career hat trick in the absence of Didier Drogba. The defense was also markedly improved from their previous draw with OCSC.
League Honors: Chris Cortez was named USL Player of the Week following his hat trick. It was his first Player of the Week award since Week 20 of the 2016 season with Arizona United SC.
What to look for from Phoenix Rising: With a full week of recovery and no match until April 7th afterwards look for Phoenix to keep a similar lineup. The big question will be whether Didier Drogba makes his season debut after missing last week due to illness.
Reno 1868 FC Scouting Report: Reno has lost and drawn in the first two matches of their second season, coming off a successful inaugural campaign which saw them finish 3rd before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs. The big question coming into the season for Reno was how they were going to replace the 18 goals that Dane Kelly took with him to DC United. They are looking to rely on Brian Bowen and Danny Musovski to do so, though Musovski is suspended for the match on Saturday. Pay attention to San Jose Earthquake loanee JT Marcinkowski in goal, as he follows up his team of the week performance last week against Las Vegas. Reno did catch a break this week as their Wednesday match with Rio Grande was postponed due to weather, allowing them a full week of recovery in preparation for Phoenix.
2017 Results:
May 6th: Reno 4 Phoenix 0
June 30th: Phoenix 0 Reno 0
Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): GK- Carl Woszczynski; D- Amadou Dia (L), Doueuegi Mala (C), Mike Da Fonte (C), Devonte Dubose (R); DM- Kevon Lambert; CM- Colin Fernandez(L), Gladson Awako (R), F- Billy Forbes (L), Chris Cortez (C), Soloman Asante (R)
Possible Subs: GK-Zac Lubin; D-Kody Wakasa, Joe Farrell; M- Alessandro Riggi, Luca Ricci; F– Didier Drogba, Jason Johnson
