Rising refocusing after momentous playoff win, gearing up for Orange County in USL playoffs

Last week, Phoenix Rising FC coach Juan Guerra said the San Diego Loyal were the one team they wanted to play out of any in the Western Conference.

This week, after a dramatic 4-3 win that featured a game-winning goal in the 119th minute from forward Darisuz Formella, Guerra is again getting his wish with opponents in the second round of the United Soccer League playoffs with Orange County SC on deck.

“I feel that if there was a second team that I could pick, it would have been Orange County,” Guerra said with a slight smile. “It will be a good game. Tactically, I love what they do in defensive moments and also in offensive moments of the game. I think it’s going to be a proper football match to watch. I’m sure that the league, that the fans, the supporters for our side are going to enjoy watching us play. Hopefully, we can put together a strong game plan that leads to a good result on the road.”

If Guerra’s predictions are anything like last week, then those watching will be in for a good treat with no tricks — it is Halloween season after all. The Rising travel to Southern California again this weekend to play Orange County on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

While there may be fewer emotions involved in last week’s game against their longtime rivals, which featured 34 fouls, 6 yellow cards, and a last-second goal that effectively ended the franchise with the Loyal folding in 2024, the stakes are even higher this week in the conference semifinals.

A berth to play in the Western Conference Championship game is on the line, something that hasn’t happened for the club since 2020 when they won it.

It’d be easy to get swept in the moment, especially for Formella, who sent his team through to the next round with the goal at the end and scored a brace on the evening. But he’s a professional for a reason, and is staying level-headed through it all.

“Football doesn’t like people who are in the past,” Formella said. “It’s nice to know the history. After the game, we celebrated a little bit. But since Monday, we are focused on Orange County. We are ready to go again.”

The offense for the Rising came alive after going dormant to end the regular season. Following their 5-0 thrashing of Detroit City FC on Sept. 16, the Rising did not score more than one goal in a game until they busted out four against San Diego last week.

One of those games during that stretch came against Orange County, which was a 1-1 draw at the end of September, the last time these two teams played. Earlier in the season, when they met in May, the Rising won 1-0.

Formella knows this team is starting to come together at the right time. They may be the sixth seed, but those numbers don’t matter when it comes to the play on the field. The top seed in the Eastern Conference just lost in the first round.

Confidence is building at 38th St. and Washington.

“In this league, we are our biggest opponent,” Formella said. “If we focus, if we are hungry every game, every minute, every day, nobody can stop us in this league.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Rising preparing for Orange County in USL playoffs second-round