Rising striving to bring the USL title to Arizona

Phoenix Rising FC has its sights set on winning Thursday’s USL Cup, but goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski is approaching the match like any other.

“He has been there, he’s done that,” Rising interim head coach Rick Schantz said of Woszczynski on Tuesday.

The Rising play Louisville City FC on Thursday and Woszczynski has been a major factor in the Rising’s path to get there.

First in the Western Conference this season in shutouts with 13, Woszczynski was also third in the West in saves with 92.

The Rising won 19 games and finished with 63 points, fifth-best in the league.

For the Rising to bring home a championship, Woszczynski needs to be at his best.

Louisville City SC leads the entire USL in goals this season with 82. They were also second in the USL in shot attempts with 614. Louisville also has forward Cameron Lancaster, who leads the league with 26 goals this season.

“Louisville is a dangerous team. They attack with a lot of different weapons and they attack quickly,” Woszczynski said. “So for me communicating with my defense in front of me, keeping them all organized and saving the balls coming my way.”

Woszczynski has been with Phoenix Rising FC since 2015, back when the club was known as the Arizona United. He is the franchise’s longesttenured player, and Phoenix is more than just a city where Woszczynski plays soccer. To him and his wife, Phoenix is home.

“Phoenix really feels like my hometown for me now,” Woszczynski said. “So being able to win this for the city of Phoenix and this team would mean the world to us.”

Phoenix is attempting to become the first road team to win the USL Cup. Louisville is trying to become the first back-to-back USL Cup champion.

Watch party at Rising stadium

Phoenix Rising FC’s matchup against Louisville City SC is at 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.

The club is also hosting an official watch party at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, near Loops 101 and 202 north of Tempe Marketplace.

The game will be shown on two large projection screens. Fans can purchase snacks, pizza, beer and non-alcoholic beverages at what team officials say will be “happy hour prices.”

Fans can sit on the field to watch the action or in the west stands. Gates open at 5 p.m.