Phoenix Rising FC (0-0-1, 1 pt., 5th in West) vs. New Mexico United (0-0-1, 1 pt., 9th in West)
7:30 PM (MST), Saturday, Casino Arizona Field, Scottsdale
TV: CW 6 & 61.1
Live Stream:ESPN+ (subscription required)
MatchCenter:#PHXvNM

After an opening draw, Phoenix Rising FC returns home to open its home schedule Saturday night against expansion side New Mexico United.

Phoenix Rising FC last match: Opening the 2019 season on the road, Phoenix Rising overcame deficits of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 to earn a 3-3 draw at San Antonio FC. Junior Flemmings, Adam Jahn and Jason Johnson scored their first goals of the season and Carl Woszczynski made some big saves in the final moments to preserve a point on the road.

Flemming earns first league honor of season: Flemmings, with a goal and an assist in the opener, was names honorable mention Team of the Week for Week 1.

Four players loaned to Phoenix Rising from LAFC: Los Angeles Football Club loaned defenders Tristan Blackmon and Shaft Brewer Jr., midfielder Javier Perez and forward Josh Perez on Thursday. Blackmon, Brewer and Javier Perez all spent time with Phoenix Rising in 2018. Josh Perez was the 64th selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. All four players are eligible for the lineup for Saturday’s match.

New Mexico report: The expansion team opened its 2019 season with a 1-1 draw against Fresno FC. Devin Sandoval scored the club’s first-ever goal in the 25th minute, but a reply by Fresno’s Jackson meant the teams shared the points. Kevaughn Frater, who played with Phoenix Rising last season, moved over to New Mexico in the offseason. Former Phoenix Rising loanee Sam Hamilton is another player to watch for New Mexico. The player, whose time with the team came in 2017, came off the pitch in the 41st minute of the home opener due to an unseen injury. Defender Josh Suggs spent the last three years with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, and is a threat up the field on crossing opportunities. Midfielder Chris Wehan, who spent the last two years with Reno 1868 FC, also bring talent and experience to the roster.

Other Notes:

• New Mexico’s midfielders will look to connect with Santi Moar. The 25 year-old Spaniard was the most productive player on the pitch for the team’s inaugural match.
• Plays a 4-1-4-1 formation
• NMU had 9 shots but only 2 on target. Most shots from the top of the box.
• Susceptible to causing fouls to the left of the half-circle. Williams and Suggs had most fouls.
• Wehan is designated free-kick taker. Left several short against Fresno.
• Manager only used 2 of three subs, with first coming when Hamilton was injured at 41′ (Rashid Tetteh).

Projected Lineup

Media Pick ’em

Pick 'em Week 2