MATCH DETAILS

Phoenix Rising FC (6-1-3, 21 pts., 2nd in West) vs. Sacramento Republic FC (5-2-3, 18 pts., 4th in West)

7:30 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: ESPN+ (subscription required)

Radio: Fox Sports 910 AM (English), El Patron 97.3 FM (Spanish)

MatchCenter: PHXvSAC

Phoenix Rising makes its return to the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex Saturday to face off with one of the top teams in Western Conference in Sacramento Republic FC.

PHOENIX RISING LAST MATCH: Phoenix Rising wrapped up a two-match road trip through Oklahoma with a 5-1 victory over Tulsa Roughnecks FC. Two goals from Didier Drogba, along with goals from Kevon Lambert, Kody Wakasa and Chris Cortez gave Phoenix Rising a clean sweep of the Oklahoma teams, after Phoenix Rising had a convincing 3-0 win at Oklahoma City Energy FC the previous Wednesday.  With the five goals, Phoenix Rising became the No. 1 team in all of USL in scoring with 22 goals on the season.

DROGBA, RIGGI LASTEST TO EARN LEAGUE HONORS: With his two goals on Saturday, Drogba was one of five finalists for the USL Player of the Week, with the honor going to LA Galaxy II’s Efrain Alvarez. Alessandro Riggi, who had two assists in Wednesday’s match at Oklahoma City, also earned Team of the Week honors. For Drogba, its the first time to be named to the Team of the Week, with two honorable mention selections earlier this season. For Riggi, it is his first honor this season.

DROGBA LOOKING TO REACH MILESTONE: If Drogba plays in Saturday’s match, it will be the 500th career match Drogba will have played in in his 20 year career. Drogba has scored 213 goals in his club career and has another 65 goals in 104 appearances with Ivory Coast.

PHOENIX RISING FALLS IN LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP: Phoenix Rising took a break from league play to play in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against crosstown rival Sporting AZ FC Wednesday at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Chris Cortez scored an early second half goal, only to have Danny Arrubla even it just two minutes later. After 90 and 120 minutes, the match remained tied at 1-1, sending the match to penalties. Sporting AZ prevailed in penalties 5-4 to eliminate Phoenix Rising from the competition.

SACRAMENTO SCOUTING REPORT: Sacramento comes in following a 3-2 loss to Reno 1868 FC in which Sacramento had a 2-0 lead. … Former Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Josh Cohen makes his return to the Valley. Cohen has made some stellar saves in leading Sacramento this season. Cohen has made 27 saves and has allowed just 12 goals in 10 matches this season. … Cameron Iwasa leads the team in scoring with four goals. Christian Eiselle has two goals. … Iwasa also leads the team with three assists. Villyan Bijev is second with two assists.

RECENT FORM (Last 5 league matches):

Phoenix Rising FC: D-D-W-W-W

Sacramento Republic FC: W-D-L-W-L

POSSIBLE STARTING XI (3-4-3): GK- Zac Lubin; D- Mike da Fonte (L), Doueuegi Mala (C), James Musa (R); MF- Amadou Dia (L), Kevon Lambert (C), Colin Fernandez (C), Devonte Dubose (R); F- Solomon Asante (L), Didier Drogba (C), Jason Johnson (R).

POSSIBLE SUBSTITUTES: GK- Carl Woszczynski; D- Kody Wakasa, Victor Vasquez; MF- Alessandro Riggi, Gladson Awako; F- Kevaughn Frater, Chris Cortez.