Phoenix Rising FC (1-1-4, 7 pts., 14th in West) vs. Tacoma Defiance (2-5-0, 6pts, 15th in West)
7:30 PM (MST), Saturday, Casino Arizona Field, Scottsdale, AZ
TV: CW 6 & 61.1
Live Stream: ESPN3 (cable or satellite subscription required)
MatchCenter: #PHXvTAC
Series History: Phoenix leads the series 6-2-0
Last Match: It would be best not to talk about the last match, Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to expansion side Austin Bold FC. Six changes were made from the previous match and it showed. Despite numerical advantages in possession, passing accuracy, and shots, Phoenix fell for the first time this season. The goal they gave up was similar to previous goals scored by Santi Moar and Kevaughn Frater in the New Mexico United match; shots that typically have a low chance of being scored but Phoenix paid the price once again.
Team News: Phoenix Rising learned of their opponent for the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They will be hosting New Mexico United on Wednesday, May 15th. Watch for a preview of that match from Firebird Soccer.
Tacoma Defiance: Despite the name change (formerly Seattle Sounders 2), Tacoma much is still the same for the young squad. While many of the players we might see Saturday night will have a huge impact in the future, the present has been less kind to them. Tacoma currently has a goal differential of -15 after receiving 4-0(x2) and 5-0 blowouts from Orange County, Tulsa, and Las Vegas respectively. It is important to note that those three games all happened away from Tacoma.
Don’t expect to see many Seattle Sounders players come down for this one. This is rarely the case for away matches, and the first team plays tomorrow in LA. There is also a chance that a couple of the younger members of the team will be unavailable as well as the Sounders Academy teams are in Texas for the prestigious Dallas Cup tournament. That is not to say that the there isn’t any talent on the squad, however. Here are three players to look out for tonight.
Sam Rogers: The 6’3″ central defender is just coming back from injury so it remains to be seen if he’ll get his first start of the season tonight. If he does, keep a careful eye on how he matches up with Adam Jahn or Ben Spencer. He might not have the physicality to match up with them but he is a positionally smart defender who will clear chances before Phoenix can pounce.
Shandon Hopeau: The minutes-leader for the Defiance so far, Hopeau is another young prospect plying his trade at Cheney Stadium. The forward also leads the team in shots and shots on target but has not found the back of the net yet this season (only 2 of Tacoma’s 4 goals this season have been scored by Defiance players).
Alkes Berkolds: The defensive numbers as a team don’t look great for Tacoma but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any players putting in work. Berkolds has only played in four of the Defiance’s matches but already has 22 clearances, 5 blocks, and 4 interceptions on the year. he also leads the team in duels won and aerial duels won. Add in an 80.4% passing accuracy and you see that it could be a lot worse for Tacoma with the 6″1″ Swede.
Predicted Lineup
What do you think? Will we see Bakero and Jahn return to the starting lineup tonight? Give us you thoughts below!
