PHOENIX – Closing in on a place in the playoffs, Phoenix Rising FC welcomes a side in the top eight, Sacramento Republic FC, to Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on Saturday night for a crucial USL Western Conference contest. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. PT.

Matchcenter: Click Here | Tickets: Click Here | Broadcast: YurViewArizona-7 (PHX), CW-31 (SAC)

Phoenix Rising FC news and notes

• Current record: 7-7-6, 27pts

• Phoenix Rising FC comes into this match following a 1-1 draw at Orange County SC last Friday, very nearly ruining Orange County’s stadium-opening celebrations.

• Chris Cortez gave Phoenix the lead in the 18th minute, and things looked to be going well until AJ Gray received a straight red card two minutes before halftime. That opened the door for Orange County, which equalized in the penultimate minute of the match.

• As a result of that red card Phoenix will be without Gray in this on Saturday night, but after not using a number of their stars last week will be hoping for a more full strength squad.

• Phoenix is coming in undefeated in its last three, and hoping to get back on track after two straight losses held the side outside the playoff positions.

Sacramento Republic FC news and notes

• Current record: 10-7-5, 35pts

• Sacramento Republic FC comes in following a 2-2 draw against the Swope Park Rangers at Papa Murphy's Park on Wednesday night.

• It was a dramatic comeback for Sacramento, which twice had to come from behind with a goal from Wilson Kneeshaw in the first half and an equalizer two minutes from time from Tyler Blackwood earning Republic FC the point.

• After going seven matches without a loss, Sacramento fell to Reno last Saturday before the draw with Swope Park on Wednesday, giving them a tight turnaround to get back on track.

• Sacramento will see Chris Christian and Jeremy Hall available for selection again after serving one-game caution accumulation suspensions in Wednesday night's match match.

Series Notes

• Republic FC leads the all time series between the two teams 4-1-3, this will be their first of two meetings this season.

Squads

• Phoenix – GK: Carl Woszczynski, Josh Cohen, Nolan Wirth; D: Eder Arreola, Jordan Gibbons, Doueudui Mala, Amadou Dia, J.J. Greer, Peter Ramage, Kody Wakasa, Victor Vasquez, Jordan Stewart; M: Alessandro Riggi, Eric Avila, Romilio Hernandez, Sam Hamilton, Blair Gavin, Kevon Lambert, Miguel Timm, Matt Watson; F: Jason Johnson, Matthew Hurlow, Chris Cortez, Didier Drogba, Gladson Awako, Shaun Wright-Phillips

• Sacramento – GK: Dominik Jakubek, Evan Newton; D: Peter McGlynn, Carlos Rodriguez, Chris Christian, James Kiffe, Emrah Klimenta, Elliott Hord; M: Agustin Cazarez, Gabe Gissie, Lamin Suma, Adam Moffatt, Tyler Blackwood, Roberto Hategan, Jeremy Hall, Hayden Partain, Quincy Butler; F: Wilson Kneeshaw, Harry Williams, Sammy Ochoa, Trevin Caesar, Christian Chaney, Matthew Wiesenfarth

Discipline

• Phoenix – Suspended: AJ Gray; Accumulation warning: Shaun Wright-Phillips, Omar Bravo, Didier Drogba, JJ Greer

• Sacramento – None

Officials

• REF: TIMOTHY FORD

• AR1: Mario Coss

• AR2: Jason Ulrich

• 4TH: Bennett Savage

Game hashtag:

• #PHXvSAC

Twitter social handles

• Phoenix Rising FC - @PHXRisingFC

• Sacramento Republic FC - @SacRepublicFC