Return of key scorers will help Phoenix Rising FC in 2nd half
As the second half of the USL season approaches, Phoenix Rising FC couldn't have had a better problem on its hands. With a hold on first place in the Western Conference thanks to an eight-match winning streak, tactics and personnel will be key factors in finishing what Phoenix started.
Rising FC's offensive weapons have shared minutes thus far due to injuries and international duty, but that didn't stop them from scoring 10 more goals at the halfway point in 2019 than they did this time last year.
Since winger Junior Flemmings and central midfielder Kevon Lambert departed for international duty with Jamaica in early June, Joey Calistri and defensive midfielder James Musa had to step in. This week, the "Reggae Boyz" returned to a crowded bunch of goal scorers. Calistri and Musa combined for three of those goals.
“I think most coaches, at this point of the year, start looking around at their bench and wonder how to get more depth, or how to add a player or two," Rising FC head coach Rick Schantz said Tuesday after training. "We just brought back two international players and I’ve got another two guys that are USL-level all-stars coming back from injury here, shortly."
Alessandro Riggi and James Johnson are both recovering from serious knee injuries. Schantz spoke optimistically about their returns.
Schatz said Riggi, who hasn't played in 2019, has suffered a setback, but hopes to play on a rehab assignment with FC Tucson in three to five weeks.
As for Johnson, the second all-time goal scorer for Rising FC is now running on an anti-gravity treadmill, slowly returning from a severe meniscus tear he suffered in April. The Jamaican forward could make an appearance in early September.
"Depth is not going to be our problem," Schantz said. "Once we get going here in the second half of this season, squad rotation will be important.”
The first tough decision will come Saturday, when Rising FC travels to south Texas for a battle with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros.
Phoenix earned three points after beating the Toros 3-1 in May. But Rising goalkeeper Zac Lubin said a trip south won't be easy, though having Flemmings and Lambert back will help.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better time to get Kevon and Junior back, going into such a tough game," Lubin said. "To have those two guys that are so dynamic, they make a big impact on the field— to have (Kevon) come in and clog up the middle in a game when it’s hot and the environment is tough, I’m sure he’s confident coming back.”
Schantz added that the pair's return will not be rushed, avoiding any disruption of team chemistry built recently. With that said, the best players will play, Flemmings and Lambert included.
“I had a meeting with both of them yesterday before training," Schantz said. "I told them that the team has been fantastic while they were gone and it has nothing to do with it being with, or without them. They have to be like any other player that returns after being gone. They have to earn their job back and compete. I would expect nothing less.”
Looking toward Saturday, Rio Grande Valley has struggled scoring as of late, not having found the net since a 3-0 win against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on June 15. But in front of the Toros’ home crowd, Lubin noted one key to remember.
"Focus. We’ve been away on a bye week. It’s a long trip," he said. "Going into it, we’ve got to give everything we got. It’s about focus and mental preparation.”
Phoenix Rising FC and Rio Grande Valley FC will kickoff at 5:30 p.m. at HE-B Park in Edinburg, Texas.
Asante Player of Month
Solomon Asante has been named USL Player of the Month for June, the first time he's received the honor.
Asante scored seven goals and tallied four assists while helping the club go 50-0.
He also set a USL Western Conference record for most consecutive matches with a goal by scoring in his seventh consecutive match in a 4-2 win over Portland Timbers 2 on June 29.