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USL Match Preview – #PHXvSLC

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 09/15/17, 9:14AM EDT

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Phoenix looks to continue recent run against Western leaders

PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising FC will try to continue its strong run of recent form when it hosts a Real Monarchs SLC side looking to maintain its lead in the USL Western Conference when the sides meet on Saturday night at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.

Matchcenter: Click Here | Tickets: Click Here | Broadcast: YurView Arizona (PHX)

Phoenix Rising FC news and notes

  • Current record: 10-7-7, 37pts

  • Rising FC comes into this match following a 2-1 win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last Saturday night that saw the side move into seventh place in the USL Western Conference.

  • A.J. Gray scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute after the Switchbacks had cancelled out Amadou Dia's opening goal of the game for Phoenix three minutes previously to move Rising FC's undefeated streak to seven games, including three wins in its last four outings. 

  • Rising FC defender Victor Vasquez had two strong performances last week, earning himself a place in the USL Team of the Week for his defensive work, while Gray’s goal scoring earned him a place on the bench.

  • Saturday's contest could see the return from injury of former Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba, as he was back in training for Rising FC this week. Drobga has not seen action since finding the net in Phoenix's 2-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Aug. 5.

Real Monarchs SLC news and notes

  • Current record: 17-4-5, 56pts

  • The Monarchs were held to a 0-0 draw by the Portland Timbers 2 last Saturday night at Providence Park as a six-save shutout by goalkeeper Connor Sparrow earned the visitors a point.

  • The draw saw the Monarchs fail to take a win in successive games for only the second time this season as San Antonio FC's midweek victory cut their lead at the top of the Western Conference to four points with six games remaining in the regular season for both clubs. 

  • The Monarchs have not gone winless in three consecutive games this season, with the last occurrence coming between July 22 and Aug. 8, 2016.

Series Notes

  • The all-time series between the two sides is tied at 4-4-1 with the season series led by the Monarchs with a win and a draw.

Squads

  • Phoenix – GK: Josh Cohen, John Berner, Nolan Wirth; D: Eder Arreola, Jordan Gibbons, Doueudui Mala, Amadou Dia, J.J. Greer, A.J. Gray, 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

  • Real Monarchs – GK: Connor Sparrow, Andrew Putna, David Ochoa; D: Reagan Dunk, Justin Schmidt, Demar Phillips, James Moberg, Kyle Curinga, Max Lachowecki, Emilio Orozco, Michael Gallagher, Taylor Peay, Riggs Lennon; M: Sebastian Saucedo, Charlie Adams, Diego Calvo, Nick Besler, Sebastian Velasquez, Karsten Hanlin; F: Andrew Brody, Daniel Haber, Chase Minter, Chandler Hoffman, Juan Mare, Skyler Milne, Jonel Desire, Danny Cruz 

Discipline

  • Phoenix – Accumulation warning: Omar Bravo, Didier Drogba, JJ Greer, Kody Wakasa

  • Real Monarchs – Accumulation warning: Kyle Curinga, Michael Gallagher

Officials

  • REF: ISMIR PEKMIC

  • AR1: Bennett Savage

  • AR2: Matthew Jacob

  • 4TH: Noah Kenyawani

Game hashtag:

  • #PHXvSLC

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