History of the Team
If you plan on betting on the Phoenix Rising, just know that they are the youngest professional sports franchise in Arizona. The team was founded in 2014, but their support is increasing. Arizona has many passionate soccer fans, so the team has been well received in the state.
The Phoenix Rising are members of the United Soccer League, which was established in 2011. There are 31 teams in the league. This is a professional soccer league that’s a step below the MLS, but the athletes are still very talented.
The team’s shortened name that they go by in the state and around the league is PRFC. The squad plays their home games at Wild Horse Pass Stadium in Chandler, Arizona. The stadium’s capacity is 10,000, and you will often find it filled with avid soccer fans.
A variety of people own the team. Their most well-known owner is Diplo, an American DJ, songwriter, and producer. The head coach of the group is Rick Schantz. Gavin is Phoenix’s fifth head coach in franchise history.
The Rising has been very successful since they joined the United Soccer League. In 2018, the team finished as the runner-up for the USL Cup. In 2019, they won the USL Regular Season Championship. They were scheduled to appear in the 2020 Championship Game before COVID-19 caused the league to cancel the remainder of the season.
2021 Outlook
The Phoenix Rising is expected to have a solid club in 2021. The team is returning a lot of players who highlighted the 2020 roster. In 2020, the Rising finished with an 11-2-3 record in a shortened season because of COVID-19 after a suspension of play.
The Rising defeated the Sacramento Republic FC and the El Paso Locomotive FC in the Western Conference Playoffs to advance to the USL Championship Game. The Rising was going to have to travel to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
However, they never got on the plane because, in the days before the match, the team had a COVID-19 outbreak. The USL did not want to take any chances and decided to cancel the championship.
The Rising is returning this championship team in 2021. They are the best team in the Western Conference and have been picked to win the championship again by multiple media outlets.
However, the team is not off to a great start in the preseason. Head coach Rick Schantz said, “We’re not super fit or sharp this early in the preseason. We are moving in the right direction. Maybe a little slower than I would like, but it’s been six months without any games for some of these players. Our first two matches have been a little bit of baptism by fire.”
Betting Forecast of the Team
The Phoenix Rising has a very positive betting forecast for 2021. I know they have lost their initial two games this preseason, but do not be alarmed by this fact. Coach Rick Schantz said it best after their second loss.
The team is not in shape at this point, and this is to be expected after nearly six months without games. The Phoenix Rising final record in 2020, including playoffs, was 12-3-2. When you take them straight up, you are going to win more times than not.
With their 2021 projections, this is the same case for the upcoming season. In 2020, the Rising shot 249 shots, and 115 were on target. They scored 47 goals on the season, which was an average of 2.76 per game.
The Rising was so good last season because they found a way to make plays. When it seemed unlikely that the Rising would find a way late in contests, they were able to convert. On defense, they only gave up 12 goals thanks to fantastic goaltending and defensive play.
They gave up an average of 1.3 goals per game. If you do the math with their total goals scored and allowed, it translates to wins on the spread. Soccer is a unique game to bet on, but the Rising is a great team to utilize.
Star Players
Last season, Phoenix Rising’s best player was named Junior Flemmings. Flemmings led the league in goals with 14, but he is now with the Birmingham Legion. This loss will hurt the team in 2021, but there is still a strong core intact for the Phoenix Rising.
Rufat Dadashov is a player that you should keep an eye on this season. Last year, the striker scored 11 goals. He will have to carry more of the load this season without Flemmings, but this should be fine because he is one of the league’s best.
Solomon Asante will support him. Asante is a winger for the Rising, who scored eight goals last season. Asante needs to improve his accuracy and shot timeliness. There would be times last season when he shot when he probably should have passed, resulting in uncapitalized opportunities.
Asante was second in the league in shots on goal for this reason. Although, if his precision improves, he could be one of the best offensive players in the USL.
The Rising’s goaltender, Zac Lubin, is exceptionally talented. Lubin is one of the best at his position in the entire league. He stopped 46 shots and pitched five shutouts in 2020. If you are betting on this team, expect many clean sheets from him over an entire season of play.
FAQ on Betting the Team
What division does the Phoenix Rising play in?
The Phoenix Rising play in the Western Conference of the USL. They won the Western Conference in 2020, but they did not get to play in the league championship because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
What was the Rising record in 2020, and what is their current 2021 record?
The Rising’s record in 2020 was 12-3-2. They have not started the official season, but they are 0-2 in the preseason.
What are the Rising’s chances of winning the USL?
The odds are not yet posted for the Rising, but they have been picked to finish at the top of the league by multiple media outlets.
What are the Rising’s odds to win the Western Conference?
The Rising is projected to win the Western Conference again in 2021 by multiple media outlets.
How many games will the Rising play in 2020-21?
The schedule has not been released yet, but the Rising should play 34 games in 2021 based on past seasons.
Who are the best players on the Phoenix Rising?
The best players on the Rising this year are Rufat Dadashov, Solomon Asante, and Zac Lubin. Dadashov and Asante are offensive players, and Lubin is the team’s goaltender.