Phoenix Rising focused on San Antonio as playoff spot still within reach
Phoenix Rising FC currently sits at 8th in the USL Championship league's Western Conference, on the brink of missing out on the playoffs.
But Coach Juan Guerra said during media availabilty Thursday the team is "taking things one game at a time." Guerra said he honestly couldn't remember who his team plays after this Saturday's home game against San Antonio FC.
“We had a conversation after Sacramento,” he said. “We’re just going to take it one game at a time. That’s the way we’re approaching this. We don’t have another game after San Antonio. That’s the only game for us. After Sacramento, all our energy and focus was on Monterey. After Monterey, yes, we got three points. We got the result and now I don’t even know who we play after San Antonio. San Antonio is who we’re thinking about. We’re going to take it one game at a time. That is our full focus.”
For the record, it will be El Paso next week, also in Phoenix.
The Rising so far this season have 7 wins, 6 losses, and 8 draws. In their last matchup against Monterey Bay FC, they came away with the 2-0 victory. Their last matchup against San Antonio came on April 26 and finished in a 1-1 draw. With only 13 games left in the season, the Rising have time to earn a playoff spot.
Over their last five matchups the club is 2-2-1 but have not been able to string together a consistent winning streak over the course of the season. San Antonio, however, are the second seed in the Western Conference and have won four out of its last five games. Tani Oluwaseyi scored four goals for San Antonio in the club's last match against Hartford Athletic.
The Rising recalled defender John Stenberg from loan to Osters IF. Stenberg will join the active roster pending receipt of his work authorization and is expected to play against San Antonio Saturday, Guerra said.
Stenberg describes his play style as a "quarterback.''
"I have a good range with my left foot, so I like to get the play going from the back. Also, I'm a pretty big guy but also pretty fast so I can cover a lot of space,'' he said.
"It's an important piece that now we have with us. It was a piece we decided to add all the way back in November, and because of circumstances we couldn't have him here. But now he's here." Guerra said regarding the addition of Stenberg to the roster.
Saturday's game begins at 8 p.m., at Phoenix Rising Stadium, 38th and Washington streets in Phoenix. The Aug. 12 home match against El Paso also beigns at 8 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Rising focused on San Antonio as playoff spot still within reach
