Phoenix Rising preps for LA Galaxy II with new look
Last weekend’s 2-1 win over Sacramento Republic gave Phoenix Rising FC three points and solidified their perch atop the USL Pacific Division Table.
But to many Rising supporters, the most important part of the night came before kickoff, when manager Rick Schantz inserted striker David Egbo and midfielder Arturo Rodriguez into the starting eleven for the first time.
Egbo was signed nearly a month ago on loan from the Vancouver Whitecaps, but had to sit out while his visa was in the process of being finalized. After appearing as a substitute and helping create a goal two weeks ago against San Diego Loyal, Schantz entrusted him to lead the line for Phoenix in Sacramento with Rufat Dadashov nursing a bone bruise.
Rodriguez’s start reflects a similar tale in perseverance. Signed from FC Dallas in the offseason, he’s often been employed as an impact substitute. Like with Egbo, though, Schantz has identified Rodriguez as a high-potential player, frequently citing the midfielder’s physical slightness as the reason he had been used exclusively as a substitute.
Against Sacramento, both rewarded Schantz’s patience with influential performances. “I thought Arturo was exceptional,” Schantz said, before highlighting the danger he and winger Solomon Asante create on the right flank. Egbo, meanwhile, took the early part of the first half to find his footing in the match. “After about 10 or 15 minutes, his hold up play was fantastic and his combination play was good,” Schantz said. “I think the goal, he deserved, because he did enough probably to create a goal-scoring opportunity and I’m glad he finished that.”
Each week, Wednesday is Phoenix’s primary tactically focused day of training. As a part of those training sessions, Schantz splits the Rising into a provisional first and second team for 11-a-side scrimmages. After three or four minutes, he changes the teams, offering a variety of lineup combinations and giving each player a chance to impress.
Some players, such as Asante or center midfielder Kevon Lambert, rarely rotate out of their established roles in the first team. But for those who operate on the fringes of the starting 11, like Rodriguez and Egbo, those Wednesday scrimmages can be critical.
“That sends the message to the group that it’s up for grabs,” Schantz said. “… So we’re constantly communicating what we need from them to improve.”
Still, Saturdays remain the defining day of each week and strong match performances ensure a player will get every chance to retain a place in the following week’s side. This week, that’s the impression Egbo and Rodriguez will hope to have made, as the Rising prepare for a 7:30 p.m., home match Saturday against an LA Galaxy II team that currently holds the Pacific fourth and final playoff spot. “When you play these young teams, you have to dominate them physically,” Schantz said. “You have to intimidate them. You have to be aggressive and get them to get out of their game.”