PHNX Rising Football Podcast

Heart Health Park. Last time Rising was there, they fell 4-0 after a calamitous first half performance. But this isn’t the Phoenix Rising side of late July, and with Danny Trejo hitting form, can Juan Guerra’s side upset the odds and emerge as Western Conference Champions? It won’t be easy, with Russell Cicerone leading the line for Mark Briggs’ Sacramento Republic side. Join Max Simpson and Owain...

Ah yes times are good for Phoenix Rising. Fresh off a gritty victory against Orange County, they have a date with Sacramento Republic in the USL Western Conference Finals. The club, thought to have been facing a slow, methodical rebuild this season, are vastly ahead of schedule after overhauling their roster under head coach Juan Guerra’s first year in charge. How are Rising trending overall? Wher...

Phoenix Rising left it late. They left it reallllyyy late. But they got the job done against a game Orange County team. Phoenix Rising scored early thanks to a Danny Trejo goal within 5 minutes. OC equalized shortly thereafter and then it was inevitable: extra time. Emil Cuello sent traveling supporters into a frenzy with minutes left. Like the D-backs and Suns, Rising won tonight. Join Owain Evan...

2018. Phoenix Rising travelled to Irvine to face Orange County, and walked away with the Western Conference trophy. This year, it’s another trip to the Great Park, but there’s no trophy on the line quite yet. Still, can Darnell King’s squad pull off a second road win to put themselves just 120 minutes away from the league’s biggest prize? Join Max Simpson and Owain Evans to break down the upcoming...

It was a game for the ages as Phoenix Rising took down San Diego Loyal, confirming the end of their existence as a club. That game was just one of four upsets across the league, with half of the home teams crashing out at the first opportunity. But now, Rising is looking towards a second round matchup with yet another Californian foe. Join Max Simpson and Owain Evans to discuss a wild weekend of s...

Phoenix Rising came from behind not once but twice to defeat bitter enemies San Diego Loyal. Rising needed to pull out all the stops to win this one as goals from Panos Armenakas, Danny Trejo, and Dariusz Formella. Near the end of the 9 minutes of stoppage time, the match got flipped on its head when Loyal equalized through a late penalty. Dariusz Formella would have none of it as he gave Phoenix...

Win, or go home. That’s the message from here, as Phoenix Rising gets set for the USL Championship playoffs. The first opponent? San Diego Loyal, a key rival of Rising’s that will cease operations at the end of the year. But can Phoenix get a win in their final ever clash with Loyal, or will the season come to an abrupt end? Join Max Simpson and Owain Evans to look ahead to the big match. An ALLC...

It’s official: Juan Guerra’s Phoenix Rising team will travel to Torero Stadium this Sunday to take on Nate Miller’s San Diego Loyal. With Loyal set to fold after this season, it’ll be the last ever meeting between these two rivals. But let’s look around the league, too. With 16 clashes across USL Championship to open the postseason, who would you pick in a playoff fantasy team? Join Max Simpson an...

With a playoff birth clinched and a guaranteed road game awaiting them next week, it was telling how Phoenix Rising approached this match. Looking to enter the playoffs with momentum, they failed to capture that against a Colorado Springs side that was up to the task. Two first half goals sank Rising’s ship and left them wondering and waiting who’ll they’ll be facing next week. Join Owain Evans an...

Just one regular season game to go. Rising heads to Colorado Springs, but there are many more pieces at play as Phoenix looks towards the USL Championship playoffs. Depending on results, it could be San Antonio, San Diego or Orange County on the road to open the postseason. But who does Rising want to face? Join Max Simpson and Owain Evans to break it down. An ALLCITY Network Production SUBSCRIBE...

It had to happen eventually. For the first time since mid-August, Phoenix Rising fell in league play. But how does that impact the team’s form heading into their last match before postseason play? Join Max Simpson and Owain Evans to discuss. An ALLCITY Network Production SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/phnx_youtube ALL THINGS PHNX: http://linktr.ee/phnxsports PHNX Events: Get your ticket...

Phoenix Rising put in incredibly lackluster performance as they swallow the bitter pill of defeat to New Mexico United in a painful 2-1 loss. Rising miss out on the opportunity to host a playoff match in the first round as they will have to wait till next week’s slate of games to conclude to determine where they travel to. Join Owain Evans and Max Simpson as they fume about tonight’s result. An AL...

Ever since joining in a trade from Loudoun United in June, Panos Armenakas has stood out as one of the fan favorites on this Phoenix Rising squad. An ex-Australian youth international and Panathinaikos midfielder, Armenakas was also named to the Guardian’s Next Generation 50 in 2015. Join Max Simpson and Owain Evans to hear Panos’ take on his path here to Phoenix, plus his outlook for the rest of...

It took a rocket from Emil Cuello to draw Phoenix Rising level against Orange County and keep the possibility of a home playoff match realistic. But now, it’s a clash with a different kind of rival: New Mexico United. Subject to results elsewhere, New Mexico could be eliminated from playoff contention with a Rising win. Can Rocco Rios Novo in the Rising net keep a clean sheet, helping buoy his sid...

Down and out for most of the match after an uninspiring performance, Emil Cuello’s goalazo in the 85th minute booked a date with Phoenix Rising’s postseason journey. Do we take the result and be happy? How is Phoenix Rising shaping up for a potentially hosting a playoff match? Join Owain Evans and Max Simpson as they chat through this match’s implications. An ALLCITY Network Production SUBSCRIBE...

The run to the playoffs starts now. Rising, regardless of results elsewhere, could clinch its place in the postseason with a win on Saturday. But with three games to play, two of which are against sides in the spots around them, can Rising hold on to fourth place and secure itself a home match in the first round? That’s the aim that Rising coach Juan Guerra set out earlier in the season, but can t...

Time is ticking on the USL Championship season. Just three games remain for Phoenix Rising, and the next two will take place at home. Meanwhile, this Rising squad is undefeated since August 19. But can they keep that run going, push on for a home playoff game and make a run at the cup? Join Max Simpson and Owain Evans for a Phoenix Rising roundup! An ALLCITY Network Production SUBSCRIBE to our Yo...

They never make anything easy. After a blunder at the back allowing Josue Gomez to find the net, Dariusz Formella recovered late to rescue one point. Join Owain Evans and Jake Anderson to break down the result. An ALLCITY Network Production SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/phnx_youtube ALL THINGS PHNX: http://linktr.ee/phnxsports PHNX Events: Get your tickets to D-backs Takeovers, Knockou...

Earlier this season, Phoenix Rising met El Paso Locomotive at 38th Street and Washington. It was a bloodbath, with Eddie Munjoma, Danny Trejo, Dariusz Formella and Gabi Torres chipping in en route to a 5-0 scoreline. But with the sides about to meet at Southwest University Park - where Rising coach Juan Guerra led his side to a loss in his first game in charge last season - can Phoenix pick up all...

In a largely uninspiring performance from both sides, Phoenix Rising played through a stingy Indy Eleven defense for most of the match. Carlos Harvey put Rising on the board in the 80th minute. Yet it was all for not as Adrian Diz equalized in the 90+5 minute to break hearts in front of the South End. Join Owain Evans and Max Simpson as they recap tonight’s match. An ALLCITY Network Production SU...

The good days are back. Rising is on a roll. And with Dollar Beer Night coming up, can they keep the points coming in as they take on Indy Eleven? It’ll be a return to the Valley for Rising legend Solomon Asante, facing his former club for the first time. But can he be the difference maker, or will the firepower of Danny Trejo and Manuel Arteaga prove too much? Join Max Simpson and Owain Evans to...

Making it look easy. Once they picked up the goal, was there even any doubt? Up against a Detroit City side that rarely threatens to score, Phoenix made it look straightforward behind goals from Danny Trejo, Panos Armenakas, Dariusz Formella and Manuel Arteaga. Now, Juan Guerra’s side finds itself sitting pretty in fourth place in the Western Conference, good for a home playoff game if they can ma...

Another spell of 3 games in 8 days, and now, the stakes feel greater than ever. Phoenix Rising is looking up the table, hoping to sneak into the top four and secure a home first round match in the USL Championship playoffs. But it won’t be easy to secure one. Detroit City roll into town on Saturday, looking to build on their impressive defence to find their way into the postseason in the East. Mea...

Kevon Lambert’s departure could have marked a serious moment for Phoenix Rising’s 2023 hopes. With the longtime defensive player departing, who would help fill the void? Look no further than Mo Traore and John Stenberg who, alongside other players in the backline, stepped up in the Jamaican’s absence. Join Max Simpson and Owain Evans to talk defence, plus take a look back at Rising’s last match in...

In a relatively even-kiltered affair that lacked too many genuine opportunities, both teams fail to find the back of the net as they walk away with a point apiece. The goalless Adair makes Rising’s first 0-0 result of the season. The dynamic Rising attack, which saw USL Golden Boot leaders Danny Trejo and Manuel Arteaga each scoring in the last three consecutive matches, failed to create too many...