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Western Conf. Notebook – Phoenix, Sacramento Ready for Tight Battle

By CHRIS HOCKMAN - chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com, 06/08/18, 1:09PM EDT

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Success creates challenges for Reno; Stability taking Saint Louis forward


Photo courtesy Michael Rincon / Phoenix Rising FC

PHOENIX— Just three weeks  after their first meeting of the season in Phoenix, Sacramento Republic FC and Phoenix Rising FC clash again this Saturday night at Papa Murphy's Park (11 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+), in a meeting between the second- and third-place sides in the USL Western Conference that could have a big influence on the season.

While Republic FC took a 3-1 victory on the road in the first meeting between the clubs at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, Rising FC believed there were positives to be taken from the encounter having recorded 25 shots and a dominant 59.2 percent possession share. That has given the side plenty to work with heading into Saturday's rematch as it looks to reverse that result.

“In the first game against Sacramento we created 33 chances and we missed a penalty, the number of shots from them was six, they were really efficient,” said Phoenix Head Coach Patrice Carteron. “I don’t think there’s a big difference between the two teams they are really competitive and we are really competitive. I just want the players to show what we have been practicing these last weeks and go out and get the result.”

As the season gets closer to its halfway point, Carteron knows there is plenty of time for his side to continue its progress in 2018. With that in mind, he believes there is no need to stress about one match despite being against another top of the table contender. Do-or-die time is the USL Cup Playoffs, and that is already where Phoenix has its focus.

“What is more important is for us to be ready for the top teams at the playoffs, right now it’s not as important,” said Carteron. “I don’t want the players to play with any pressure, I just want us to keep focusing and I would like us to stay at the top of the league right now. I want us to stay in the top four because my motivation is for us to make the playoffs like last year, but this time at home.”

DEEP ROSTER MAKING THINGS HARD FOR RUSSELL: With Reno 1868 FC on a club-record, nine-match undefeated streak it’s easy to think that things would be simple right now for Head Coach Ian Russell, but with the club's players putting on consistently strong performances despite the changes that have occurred from game to game in the lineup the success has given Russell a unique headache as the side prepares to host Fresno FC on Saturday night at Greater Nevada Field (10:30 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+).

“It's very difficult for me to pick a starting lineup now because we’re so deep,” said Russell. “It’s all about getting a cohesive team and keep on winning.”

After a slow start to the season Reno quickly got on track as some of its new faces began to find their places in the lineup. Among those who has started to come into his own is center back Zach Carroll, who has now made 10 appearances for the side and in last Saturday's 2-1 victory against OKC Energy FC scored his first goal in 1868 FC's colors. An All-League selection two years ago when he was part of the New York Red Bulls II, Carroll believes the adaptation period he went through after joining the club is now over, which is allowing him to play his best soccer.

“It felt great to get on the scoresheet and help out the team, most importantly. I think our defense is really starting to play well,” said Carroll. “We’re playing really well at the right moment. We still have a long ways to go, but we honestly are starting to find out rhythm.”

Another new arrival who has started to make his presence felt is Jerry van Ewijk, who has notched a goal and assist in the club's last two outings. Creating greater chemistry with some other new additions, including the likes of Lindo Mfeka and Mo Thiaw, has paid off handsomely for the Dutchman.

“The team is connecting better. We’ve been practicing more on set pieces and have been more dangerous on them,” said Van Ewijk. “I’ve played in different spots this season but I think I am finding where I can be most comfortable.”  

SAINT LOUIS HOPING TO KEEP GOING: After a six-match winless run Saint Louis FC finally broke through last Saturday night in a stunning 2-0 win against the Swope Park Rangers. The result threw Saint Louis right back into the mix for the USL Cup Playoffs places in the Western Conference, where a logjam of teams is currently battling it out in the middle of the standings.

“The win last week was fully deserved. The guys showed great character and resilience to bounce back with a good performance against one of the better teams in the league,” said Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “The important thing is we believe in our process, not get carried away, understand who we are, what our identity is and stick to it.”

On the face of it it would be simple to assume that some things had changed for the side to produce an impressive win against the Rangers, but Pulis disagrees, feeling that what worked last week was simply fully executing the plan that he has been looking to implement since his arrival this offseason.

“Nothing drastically changed other than converting our chances and limiting opportunities for the opposition at the other end,” said Pulis. “Fine margins dictate results at this level and we need to keep working hard on a daily basis to make sure those margins swing our way more often.”

Saint Louis will likely want to up its efficiency in front of goal after its two goals against the Rangers came on three shots on target in an outing where the side finished with 15 shots overall, but if the hard work continues the club will be hopeful of another win when it takes on Tulsa Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field this Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+).

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