Team News

The 2017 USL Western Conference Champions arrive in Phoenix on the heels of a second straight win against the Portland Timbers 2 squad.  The Monarchs are a game behind the rest of the league after a minimal pre-season which included pre-season matches against Sacramento State University, Reno 1868 FC and league newcomers Fresno FC.

The match will potentially feature a reunion of 2017 Switchbacks FC stars Kevaughn Frater and Masta Kacher who will line up on opposite ends of the field for the first time.

The Salt Lake City squad began the season on a somber note.  Assistant coach Liam Miller, former Celtic and Manchester United player, joined his former coach Mark Brigs on the sidelines in the middle of the 2017 season.  Tragically , in November he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died on February 9.  Miller was 36 years old.  Players around the world including Wayne Rooney, and many clubs honored his life with various memorials.

Notable Players

Mastanbal (Masta) Kacher – #46 – Midfielder

Masta Kacher was a fixture with the 2017 Colorado Springs Switchbacks squad, appearing in all 32 regular season matches.  He continues to find his place on the new squad, appearing in only one match and being subbed off in the 63rd minute.

Kacher joined the team in unusual fashion.  The Switchbacks announced, on January 16, that they would bring him back to the field, but was then released from the club less than a month later.  The terms of his release were not disclosed, but such behavior so close to the beginning of a season, with a star player, lends itself to a lot of speculation.

Maikel Chang – #44 – Midfielder

The speedy Cuban has some speed on the right side, and will provide the right side combination of Johnson and Dia a challenge.  Chang leads the team in shots attempted with 5, but has failed to find himself noted on the scoresheet.  Chang is also an effective ballwinner, leading his team in duels and duels won.

Chang defected to the United States in 2012 after travelling to Toronto for a World Cup qualifier with the Cuban national team.

Kalen Ryden – #52 – Defender

Ryden placed his head on two crosses in the back of the net during last week’s match against Portland Timbers 2.  The 6′ 2″ center-back has won 10 of 12 aerial duel will need to be marked in set plays for the Rising to achieve a successful result.  Ryden can also do it with his feet,  driving through the defending third to nearly put a hat on his brace against T2.

Weather & Field Conditions

Rising FC players will be happy to return to a proper football field after spending time on a skinny sod-filled Reno baseball field.  As always, the Rising FC field crew has the field in pristine condition.

The weather forecast calls for a partly cloudy day with a high of 94 degrees.  Sunset will be 6:52 pm, so fans will be treated to a beautiful sunset, and a steady cool-down once the game has begun.  Humidity will pick up in the evening, projected at an above-average 33%.  Winds may play a small role as they are forecasted to be 10-20 mph from the southwest.

The Real Monarchs are the reserve squad for Real Salt Lake (MLS).  RSL has a substantial presence in Arizona with Academy level affiliations with the Sereno Soccer Club (which just absorbed Legacy, and recently announced a new affiliation with Yuma Soccer Clubs).  Expect to see lots of kids in Sereno gear throughout the stadium.