Rising FC
“I know for them to get 10 straight and possibly 11, it’s a big deal to the guys in the locker room,” Schantz said Tuesday after practice. “We talked about being remembered since the beginning of the season. There’s a guy that played here by the name of Didier Drogba that’s known around the world, and I told them that I want Phoenix Rising to also be known for other things.”
Rising are known this season for their undefeated home record in the USL. And despite their U.S. Open Cup penalty shootout loss to New Mexico United in May, Rising FC’s home field advantage has paid dividends.
Schantz later added that the team made an objective to average four points against each opponent in league play throughout the regular season, meaning
at least one win and a draw. Three points, from just one win, is the best they can do against Austin, after a 1-0 loss.
It was a 62nd minute goal, curling into the top right corner from Bold FC midfielder Sonny Guadarrama, the hometown hero back on April 17 in Austin.
The 32-year-old took his chance at a time where Rising had more than half of possession and ended the match with more shots on goal (6).
In addition to winning streaks, motivation for Rising FC forward Adam Jahn comes from not playing in the first clash with Bold FC, as well as continuing his goal-scoring form, having already found the net twice in the previous four matches.
“There’s two things in our mind. One, they beat us. So, we need revenge. And two, we respect every opponent we play and that every opponent in this league can hurt you,” Jahn said. “(We) have to be ready, and it’s going to be a battle. They would love to be the team that takes us
down.”
Jahn said opposing teams are motivated by the chance to end the winning streak by Rising.
“Well, having all the fans at home is such a bonus for us. (The media) doesn’t know how much it helps us,” Jahn said.
“And having said that, Austin has a lot of experienced players on their team. We expect them to have a game plan and be very difficult to break down. So, we’re going to need all the fans lifting us up and hopefully we can get (a goal) early and keep rolling.”
With the winning streak on the line, Rising FC will have much to play for. The match with Austin Bold FC kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Casino Arizona Field.
“We feel that when you’re on a ninegame winning streak, if you keep playing well, it bodes well for you,” Schantz said.