PHOENIX – A crucial battle for a place in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs arrives on Saturday night as Phoenix Rising FC welcomes Seattle Sounders FC 2 with both sides chasing three points which would see them back in the playoff hunt. The match at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Matchcenter: Click Here | Tickets: Click Here | Broadcast: YurViewArizona (PHX)

Phoenix Rising FC news and notes

• Current record: 8-7-6, 30pts

• Rising FC continued its good run of form recently as it managed a 3-1 win against Sacramento Republic FC last Saturday at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.

• Chris Cortez continued his good run of form, being involved in all three goals with a goal and two assists, with Jason Johnson and Peter Ramage the other goalscorers.

• The win stretched Rising FC's run to four matches undefeated, and the side has lost just two of its last 12 matches, which has pushed it in to ninth place in the USL Western Conference.

Seattle Sounders FC 2 news and notes

• Current record: 9-14-2, 29pts

• S2 comes into this match following a 1-0 home loss to Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Wednesday night.

• Seattle had the bulk of possession in that match but could not take the chances that came its way, and a goal 15 minutes for the end earned the Roughnecks the win. 

• That result ended a short spell of good form for S2, which had won two straight matches for just the second time this season, and first time since April, prior to Wednesday night.

• S2 announced on Thursday it had released forward Irvin Parra, who had scored six goals and six assists for the club this season, so he could sign with Orange County SC and be nearer his family. Parra's wife is currently expecting their second child.

Series Notes

• This will be the first meeting between the sides this year, the all time series between the two sides is tied 2-2-0.

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, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Romilio Hernandez, Sam Hamilton, Blair Gavin, Kevon Lambert, Miguel Timm, Matt Watson; F: Jason Johnson, Matthew Hurlow, Chris Cortez, Didier Drogba, Gladson Awako

• Seattle – GK: Tyler Miller, Bryan Meredith, Sam Fowler; D: Brian Nana-Sinkam, Denso Ulysse, Khai Brisco, Steve Whyte, Oniel Fisher, Tony Alfaro, Rodrigue Ele, Sam Rogers; M: Lorenzo Ramos, Francisco Narbon, Ray Saari, Harry Shipp, Calum Mallace, Jordy Delem, Zach Mathers, Charles Renken, Henry Wingo, Aaron Kovar, Shandon Hopeau, Serge Edoa; F: David Olsen, Javorn Stevens, Seyi Adekoya, Felix Chenkam

Discipline

• Phoenix – Accumulation warning: Shaun Wright-Phillips, Omar Bravo, Didier Drogba, JJ Greer, Kody Wakasa

• Seattle – None

Officials

• REF: FARHAD DADKHO

• AR1: Anthony Bersano

• AR2: Todd Woodhull

• 4TH: Paul Nothman

Game hashtag:

• #PHXvSEA

Twitter social handles

• Phoenix Rising FC - @PHXRisingFC

• Seattle Sounders FC 2 - @SoundersFC2