Another week and another home match for Phoenix Rising Football Club. This is not the start that most supporters were expecting this year. Three matches. Three draws. And, now we welcome Fresno Football Club to Casino Arizona Field. Still a relatively new team to the USL (founded in 2017), they are looking to make their sophomore year better than their freshman. Last season, they finished 12th in the Western Conference, accumulating 39 points. However, they did get the better OF Phoenix Rising earning a 1-1 draw in Arizona and putting four on Phoenix in a game that saw one red card (Lambert) and six yellow cards (a double yellow for Fresno player Ellis-Hayden).

So far this season, Fresno has drawn two games and claimed a victory over Rio Grande. I was able to ask Ed Stewart, a Fresno FC supporter and contributor on the Fox Trot Podcast, about the upcoming match, his highlights of last season, and their thoughts on the Phoenix Rising. 

Last season Fresno finished 12th, what was the season highlight for you? 

For me, there were a few highlights.  One, was how we did against more established teams, especially those that finished high on the table.  Phoenix is a great example.  To take a draw away, and a win at home was great for us.  Our home record vs Sacramento is another thing that made a lot of us proud because of the proximity.  Finally, the last highlight was starting some rivalries up.  That happened through some online banter, but also through traveling supporter groups.  It was good to meet other fans, have a beer, and “hate” each other for 90, but then grab a drink post match and talk with people.

There was a number of offseason roster moves for Fresno. Who are you happy to see return? Who is a new player that has excited the supporters?  

I was happy to see our back line return.  They were fairly solid last year, and give us a strong foundation.  Jemal Johnson, and Juan Pablo Caffa, as our leading scorers and leaders on the team were also great returners. 

What is the biggest area of concern you see with this year’s team?

Our biggest area of concern is a lack of production from our strikers.  This was true last year, and so far this year.  Our midfield and wings have dominated that for us, and to really reach the next level we need someone up top that consistently finishes.

What should Phoenix be worried about heading into this match with Fresno?

For this match, Phoenix should really be on the watch for Jackson and Arun Basuljevik.  They have been our most dangerous players so far, and obviously we hope that continues.

What is the view of Phoenix Rising by supporters of Fresno FC?

Game recognizes game.  Our oldest supporter group, Fire Squad Fresno, has been around for 5 years and so we have seen your SG’s online presence, signs and stuff.  We engaged in a bit of banter last year, especially around our tifo and the game results.  I watched your game last week, and was super impressed with your drums.  They seemed hella tight, loud and driving the crowd.  Great stuff.

How has the local support grown in Fresno over the last year?

Over the last year, our support is growing.  Fire Squad continues to get bigger, but we have also added 2 other groups, Vigilantes, which is a Latinx based group, and Fresno Skulk.  Each group has its own flavor.  I’d say that our support is also growing outside the groups as people of the area figure out what pro/USL level soccer is.  It still needs to improve, but our average attendance last year was decent.

I believe that this is a huge match for Phoenix even though we are so early in the season. With three draws, the pressure is starting to grow on the team to start winning. I would imagine that Rick Schantz and the coaching staff have worked hard this past week on defensive positioning as well as controlling the midfield. Hopefully, we see some stability on the backline, which should help Jon Bakero and Javier Perez work their magic in the middle of the field. I believe that Phoenix will win this game 2-0. Ed sees another draw for both Phoenix and Fresno at 1-1.