Phoenix Rising FC (2-1-4, 10 pts., 11th in West) vs. Sacramento Republic (3-2-1, 10 pts, 7th in West)
7:30 PM (MST), Saturday, Papa Murphy’s Park, Sacramento, CA
TV: CW 6 & 61.1
Live Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required)
MatchCenter: #SACvPHX
Series History: Sacramento leads the series 6-2-4

Phoenix Rising faces its first road test of the season with matchups against Sacramento and Orange County.

Rising Last Match: Phoenix took care of business against an overhwelmed Tacoma Defiance side, 4-0. Junior Flemmings led the way, scoring a brace and adding an assist. Jason Johnson, starting up top with Adam Jahn out, and Solomon Asante tallied the other goals. The defense also kept their third clean sheet in four games, a welcoming result after the team bled goals to start the season. While not guaranteed, the victory was expected and the goal output as well as the clean sheet certainly calmed some nerves among the fanbase.

Team News: Junior Flemmings was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week after his 2 goal, 1 assist performance. Jason Johnson was named to the bench as well thanks to his 1 goal and 1 assist .. Austin Ledbetter has been called up from FC Tucson (USL League 1), becoming the first League 1 player called up by an affiliate team.

Sacramento Republic FC: Sacramento Republic is currently tied with Rising on 10 points, albeit with one less match played. They are also tied for 24th in goals scored, averaging 1.3 goals but are much better on defense, tied for 3rd with .83 goals against. Overall Sacramento has only faced 18 shots. Cameron Iwasa leads the attacks with 5 of the team’s 8 goals as well as an assist. Iwasa also has more than twice the shots as his closest teammate (16 to 6). In the back, former Rising keeper Josh Cohen has kept 2 clean sheets and only given up 5 goals in the first six games. In fact, Sacramento has yet to give up more than 1 goal in any game this season. Former FC Cincinnati captain Dekel Keinan leads the backline, having played every minute so far this season. He leads the team in aerial duels won and clearances.

Projected Lineup

What do you think? How will Phoenix Rising line up and perform tonight?