MATCH DETAILS:

Phoenix Rising FC (2-0-1, 7 pts., 3rd in West) vs. Real Monarchs SLC (2-0-0, 6 pts., 7th in West)

7 p.m. Saturday, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, Scottsdale

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: PRFC vs. RM

Phoenix Rising FC looks to extend its unbeaten start to the season when they welcome 2017 USL Western Conference Champions and undefeated Real Monarchs SLC to the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.

Last week: Phoenix Rising went on the road to face a tough Reno 1868 FC squad. Despite dealing with the high altitude, Phoenix Rising was able to come out of the match with a 1-0 victory over Reno thanks in part to the effort of Solomon Asante in the game’s final moments. Asante took a ball in the box and was tackled by defender James Kiffe. Asante drew the penalty and finished it off with the penalty kick winner. Carl Woszczynski made two critical saves to get his first clean sheet of the season.

Asante earns another league honor: With his penalty kick goal, Asante was named to the USL Team of the Week Honorable Mention for the second time this season. His three goals on the season is tied for the team lead with Chris Cortez.

Asante, Carteron up for more honors: Asante and coach Patrice Carteron are up for the USL’s Player and Coach of the Month. Asante is up against Swope Park Rangers F Kharlton Belmar, Orange County SC F Thomas Envoldsen, Charlotte Independence MF Jorge Herrera and FC Cincinnati GK Evan Newton. Carteron is up against Simon Elliott of Sacramento Republic FC, Mike Jeffries of Charlotte Independence, James O’Connor of Louisville City FC and Isidro Sanchez of Las Vegas Lights FC. Since July 30, 2017, Carteron has lost just one match in 247 days, that being the Western Conference quarterfinals against Swope Park Rangers. and since joining the club he has a 15-3-8 overall record.

Real Monarchs preview: The Monarchs are the defending Western Conference champions, but they lost in the first round to Sacramento Republic in penalties. Real Monarchs opened with a 3-2 win at Tulsa Roughnecks FC and a 4-2 win in the home opener against Portland Timbers 2. The attack starts with F Chandler Hoffman, a veteran of the USL. His 14 goals in 2017 lead the team, and has one goal this season. Sebastian Velasquez is his right-hand man, and a key returner to the club. Currently, Kalen Ryden leads the team with two goals on the season. Charlie Adams and Nick Besler make their returns to the club this season to continue to make Real Monarchs a strong side to face. Andrew Putna and Alex Horwatch have both seen action in goal for the Monarchs in their two matches, both wins on the season.

2017 head-to-head: 1-1-1. Apr. 1 @Rio Tinto Stadium, 2-0 Real Monarchs; June 24 @Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, 1-1 draw; Sept. 16 @Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, 2-0 Phoenix Rising.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI (4-4-2): GK- Carl Woszczynski; D- Amadou Dia (L), Doueuegi Mala (C), Mike da Fonte (C), Devante Dubose (R); MF- Kevon Lambert (DM), Colin Fernanadez (DM); Billy Forbes (L), Solomon Asante (R); F- Jason Johnson, Kevaughn Frater.

POSSIBLE SUBSTITUTES: GK- Zac Lubin; D- Kody Wakasa, Victor Vasquez; MF- Alessandro Riggi, Luca Ricci, Gladson Awako; F- Didier Drogba.