PHOENIX – Real Monarchs SLC will look to continue its USL record winning streak on Saturday night when it visits Phoenix Rising FC and a red-hot Didier Drogban at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. PT.
Matchcenter: http://bit.ly/2t04VY4 | Tickets: http://bit.ly/2oKrlLD | Broadcast: YurView Arizona (PHX)
Phoenix Rising FC news and notes
Current record: 5-5-1, 16pts
Rising FC rallied to claim a 2-2 draw against the Swope Park Rangers last Sunday evening as Didier Drogba scored twice in his second game for the club.
Drogba’s late penalty kick earned Phoenix a point after Swope Park had twice taken the lead in the contest. Drogba has three goals in two games for Rising FC, and was named to the USL Team of the Week on Tuesday.
Phoenix is the lone club in the USL that has yet to record a shutout this season, with goalkeeper Josh Cohen currently holding a 1.70 goals-against average.
Rising FC is 4-2-0 on home turf this season, and has won each of its last three games at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.
Real Monarchs SLC news and notes
Current record: 12-1-0, 36pts
The Monarchs set a USL record with their ninth consecutive victory as they defeated Reno 1868 FC 2-1 on Monday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
First-half goals by Andrew Brody and Taylor Peay proved enough to hold off Reno, and saw the Monarchs surpass the Orlando City SC’s eight-game winning streak in the 2014 season.
Sebastian Velasquez recorded both assists in Monday’s game, and is now tied for the league-lead with six this season.
The Monarchs are two points ahead of San Antonio FC going into Saturday night’s action, with one game in hand.
Series Notes
Squads
Phoenix – GK: Carl Woszczynski, Josh Cohen, Nolan Wirth; D: Eder Arreola, Jordan Gibbons, Brock Granger, Amadou Dia, J.J. Greer, A.J. Grey, Peter Ramage, Kody Wakasa, Victor Vasquez, Jordan Stewart, Uchenna Uzo; M: Alessandro Riggi, Eric Avila, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Romilio Hernandez, Blair Gavin, Miguel Timm, Matt Watson; F: Mike Seth, Jason Johnson, Matthew Hurlow, Chris Cortez, Omar Bravo, Didier Drogba
Real Monarchs – GK: Connor Sparrow, Andrew Putna, Lalo Fernandez; D: Reagan Dunk, Justin Schmidt, Demar Phillips, James Moberg, Kyle Curinga, Max Lachowecki, Emilio Orozco, Michael Gallagher, Taylor Peay, Riggs Lennon; M: Omar Holness, Ricardo Velazco, Jose Hernandez, Charlie Adams, Nick Besler, Sebastian Velasquez, Karsten Hanlin; F: Andrew Brody, Daniel Haber, Chase Minter, Chandler Hoffman, Emmanuel Occran, Skyler Milne, Jonel Desire
Discipline
Phoenix – Accumulation warning: J.J. Greer
Real Monarchs – None
Officials
REF: YOUNES MARRAKCHI
AR1: Anthony Bersano
AR2: Paul Nothman
4TH: Todd Woodhull
Game hashtag:
Twitter social handles
Phoenix Rising FC – @PHXRisingFC
Real Monarchs SLC – @RealMonarchs
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