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THE MORNING TEA: Rising FC Focused, Championship Final the Aim

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/07/20, 7:30AM EST

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SD Loyal’s Donovan finds new passion in coaching; SAFC’s Gallegos maintains balance after turning pro

It’s the first Saturday of the season, and an 11-game slate of action awaits.

Here’s your morning USL Championship tea.

 

THE BIG STORY

There were more great memories in the 2019 USL Championship regular season than you could count for Phoenix Rising FC and its fans.

The club swept through opponents at a record-setting pace – at one point recording a barely believable 20 consecutive victories – while showing the ability to win games in all manner of means.

But the club’s elimination at the hands of Real Monarchs SLC in the Western Conference Semifinals saw the campaign end on a bitter note, especially when two weeks later it was the Monarchs lifting the trophy Phoenix had envisioned would be in its possession when the postseason began.

As the club kicks off its 2020 regular season on Saturday night against the Portland Timbers 2 at Casino Arizona Field, victory in the USL Championship Final – a feat that has eluded the club so far – is firmly in its crosshairs.

“We are going for more trophies, there’s no two ways about it,” 2019 Championship MVP Solomon Asante told the Arizona Republic’s Rob Kleifield.

The club has certainly looked locked in so far this preseason. For the first time there were multiple victories against Major League Soccer opposition, which allowed Rising FC to finish second as the lone non-MLS side in the six-team Visit Tucson Sun Cup.

And while there have been departures – notably the transfer of All-League First Team selection Adam Jahn to Atlanta United FC – the new recruits and returning faces have the side primed as the favorite to win it all at the end of the season.

From the team’s perspective, that’s all well and good, but the real business starts on Saturday night.

“Beating MLS teams is a good sign, but the real season starts March 7, and that’s when we want to win some trophies,” playmaker Jon Bakero told Kleifield.

 

THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES

San Diego Loyal SC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC
USL Championship on ESPN Game of the Week

(0-0-0)

10:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Torero Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: SD Wins 57% | Draw 24% | LV Wins 19%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: San Diego Loyal SC and Head Coach Landon Donovan make their debut on national television with a squad that on paper looks like a playoff contender. Las Vegas and Head Coach Eric Wynalda will be looking to spoil the party.
Projected Lineup: Jake Fenlason; Sal Zizzo, Joe Greenspan, Grant Stoneman, Elijah Martin; Tumi Moshobane, Eric Avila, Collin Martin, Raul Mendiola; Irvin Parra, Qudus Lawal
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Thomas Olsen; Jordan Murrell, Ramon Martin Del Campo, Javan Torre, Gabe Robinson; Bryan de la Fuente, Junior Sandoval, Jose Carrera, Yamikani Chester; Junior Burgos; Seku Conneh
Discipline: None

North Carolina FC vs. Louisville City FC

(0-0-0)

2:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: NC Wins 40% | Draw 26% | LOU Wins 34%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: A rematch of last year’s season opener between, on that occasion North Carolina FC romped to a 4-1 victory. With LouCity having reloaded its squad this offseason – and Cameron Lancaster in sparkling preseason form – the visitors will be looking to reverse that result this time.
Projected Lineup: Alex Tambakis; Akeem Ward, Sam Brotherton, Conor Donovan, DJ Taylor; Pecka, Ben Speas; Manny Perez, Nazmi Albadawi, Dre Fortune; Robbie Kristo
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Chris Hubbard; Oscar Jimenez, Alexis Souahy, Jimmy Ockford, Pat McMahon; Speedy Williams, Paolo DelPiccolo, Corben Bone; Brian Ownby, Cameron Lancaster, Antoine Hoppenot
Discipline: None

New York Red Bulls II vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

(0-0-0)

3 p.m. ET |
Venue: MSU Soccer Park

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: NY Wins 27% | Draw 25% | TBR Wins 48%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: The Rowdies have won their opening game of the season in all three campaigns since joining the Championship but are 0-3-0 all-time in their visits to face the Red Bulls II at MSU Soccer Park. Something’s got to give.
Projected Lineup: Kendall McIntosh; Edgardo Rito, Sean Nealis, Preston Kilwien, John Tolkin; Kyle Zajec, Chris Lema; Caden Clark, Jared Stroud, Omar Sowe; Sebastien Elney
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Evan Louro; Louis Lomas, Forrest Lasso, Aaron Guillen; Leo Fernandes, Lewis Hilton, Dominic Oduro, Malik Johnson; Yann Ekra; Sebastian Guenzatti, Kyle Murphy
Discipline: None

Memphis 901 FC vs. Indy Eleven

(0-0-0)

7 p.m. ET |
Venue: AutoZone Park

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: MEM Wins 29% | Draw 28% | IND Wins 43%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: Two contrasting offseasons come to a head in Memphis, where 901 FC has undergone notable renovations and could see former U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard suit up. Indy, meanwhile, returns the majority of the side that reached last year’s Eastern Conference Final.
Projected Lineup: Tim Howard; Mark Segbers, Zach Carroll, Liam Doyle, Marc Burch; Jose Baxter, Dan Metzger, Jean-Christophe Koffi, Duane Muckette; Brandon Allen, Matt Hundley
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Evan Newton; Neveal Hackshaw, Karl Ouimette, Paddy Barrett; Ayoze, Tyler Gibson, Drew Conner, Cam Lindley, Carl Haworth; Andrew Carleton, Tyler Pasher
Discipline: None

Philadelphia Union II vs. Loudoun United FC

(0-0-0)

7:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Subaru Park

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: PHI Wins 36% | Draw 24% | LDN Wins 39%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: Loudoun United FC will try to carry its positive late-season form into Year 2 as it faces a Union II side that finished off the pace in the Eastern Conference a season ago.
Projected Lineup: Matt Freese; Nathan Harriel, Ben Ofeimu, Steve Kingue, Tyger Evans; Cole Turner, Zach Zandi; Jack de Vries, David Rabadan, Issa Rayyan; Shanyder Borgelin
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Earl Edwards Jr.; Peabo Doue, Donovan Pines, Shane Wiedt, Chris Odoi-Atsem; Moses Nyeman, Ally Ng’anzi, Kevin Paredes; Griffin Yow, Alioune Ndour, Michael Gamble
Discipline: None

OKC Energy FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

(0-0-0)

8 p.m. ET |
Venue: Taft Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: OKC Wins 56% | Draw 25% | COS Wins 20%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: Two sides that missed the postseason last year will look to get their new seasons off on the right foot as Head Coach John Pascarella leads Energy FC for his first game in charge against Switchbacks Head Coach Alan Koch, who arrived late in 2019 to Colorado Springs.
Projected Lineup: Cody Laurendi; Zach Ellis-Hayden, Atiba Harris, Christian Ibeagha, Kyle Hyland; Omar Gordon, Rafael Garcia, Ray Saari, Arun Basuljevic; Jaime Chavez, Frank Lopez
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Abraham Rodriguez; Sebastian Anderson, Arturo Diz Pe, Kris Reaves, Jordan Burt; Rony Argueta, Hiroki Kurimoto; Will Vint, Andre Lewis, George Lebese; Niki Jackson
Discipline: None

Saint Louis FC vs. The Miami FC

(0-0-0)

8 p.m. ET |
Venue: West Community Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: STL Wins 35% | Draw 27% | MIA Wins 37%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: The Miami FC makes its USL Championship debut looking to make a splash against a Saint Louis side that narrowly missed the postseason last year. Miami has bolstered its squad with Romario Williams, Sebastian Velasquez and Vincent Bezecourt, which could test STLFC’s revamped defense.
Projected Lineup: Kyle Morton; Paris Gee, Sam Fink, Phanuel Kavita, Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare; Joaquin Rivas, Oscar Umar, Todd Wharton; Russell Cicerone, Kyle Greig, Mour Samb
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Brian Sylvestre; Marco Franco, Lawrence Olum, Brenton Griffiths, Janos Loebe; Tomas Granitto, Lance Rozeboom; Vincent Bezecourt, Sebastian Velasquez, Prince Saydee; Romario Williams
Discipline: None

Austin Bold FC vs. New Mexico United

(0-0-0)

8:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Bold Stadium

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: ATX Wins 52% | Draw 24% | NM Wins 23%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: After both reaching the postseason in their inaugural seasons, Austin and New Mexico square off to open Year 2. NMU claimed victory here last season and has had a solid preseason as it looks to knock off Bold FC’s experienced returning squad.
Projected Lineup: Diego Restrepo; Jermaine Taylor, Amobi Okugo, Brecc Evans; Ish Jome, Xavier Baez, Thomas De Villardi, Sonny Guadarrama, Sean McFarlane; Andre Lima, Kris Tyrpak
Discipline: Suspended: Kleber
Projected Lineup: Cody Mizell; Josh Suggs, Justin Schmidt, Kalen Ryden, Austin Yearwood; Juan Pablo Guzman, Saalih Muhammed; Chris Wehan, Amando Moreno, Andrew Tinari; Devon Sandoval
Discipline: None

San Antonio FC vs. Real Monarchs SLC

(0-0-0)

8:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Toyota Field

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: SA Wins 52% | Draw 22% | SLC Wins 26%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: The Monarchs open their title defense on the road against a San Antonio side that has added numerous new faces under Head Coach Alen Marcina. It could make for fireworks in the Alamo City.
Projected Lineup: Dayne St. Clair; Blake Smith, Callum Montgomery, Mitchell Taintor, Kai Greene; PC, Connor Maloney, Hayden Partain, Jesus Enriquez; Jose Gallegos, Luis Solignac
Discipline: Suspended: Zachary Herivaux
Projected Lineup: David Ochoa; Noah Powder, Erik Holt, Taylor Peay, Alvin Jones; Luke Mulholland, Luis Arriaga; Dayonn Harris, Jack Blake, Chris Garcia; Kyle Coffee
Discipline: None

Phoenix Rising FC vs. Portland Timbers 2

(0-0-0)

9:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Casino Arizona Field

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: PHX Wins 72% | Draw 17% | POR Wins 11%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: After last year’s record-setting regular season, Phoenix gets back underway with a visit from T2 with 2019 Championship Most Valuable Player Solomon Asante set to lead from the front once again.
Projected Lineup: Zac Lubin; Darnell King, A.J. Cochran, Joe Farrell, Austin Ledbetter; Jordan Schweitzer, Jon Bakero, Jack Barmby; Solomon Asante, Rufat Dadashov, Junior Flemmings
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Jake Leeker; Marco Farfan, Max Ornstil, Williams Velasquez, Pablo Bonilla; Blake Bodily, Ken Krolicki; Carlos Anguiano, Aaron Molloy, Gio Calixtro; Ryan Sierakowski
Discipline: None

Sacramento Republic FC vs. FC Tulsa

(0-0-0)

10:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Papa Murphy’s Park

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: SAC Wins 65% | Draw 21% | TUL Wins 14%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: Sacramento will look to get its new campaign off to a good start in front of its home fans, but faces a Tulsa side keen to make a good first impression after a major offseason overhaul to the club’s look and its squad.
Projected Lineup: Adam Grinwis; Jordan McCrary, Dekel Keinan, Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Juan Barajona; Drew Skundrich, Rodrigo Lopez, Darek Formella; Villyan Bijev, Cameron Iwasa, Kharlton Belmar
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Bryan Byars; Vangjel Zguro, Kevin Garcia, Bradley Bourgeois, Matt Sheldon; Eric Bird, Raphael Ayagwa; Rodrigo Da Costa, Lebo Moloto, Ariel Martinez; Dario Suarez
Discipline: None

Atlanta United 2 vs. Charleston Battery

(0-0-0)

3:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: Fifth Third Bank Field

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: ATL Wins 30% | Draw 26% | CHS Wins 43%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: The Battery enter a new era under their new ownership and will be looking to improve their road form against ATL UTD 2, which holds a 2-1-0 mark all-time on its home turf against Charleston.
Projected Lineup: Ben Lundgaard; George Bello, Modou Jadama, George Campbell, Bradley Kamdem; Lawrence Wyke, Amir Bashti, Daniel Steedman, Luiz Fernando; Jackson Conway, Amadou Macky Diop
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Phil Breno; Kyle Nelson, Jarad van Schaik, Rennico Clarke; Dante Marini, AJ Paterson, Nico Rittmeyer, Jay Bolt; Nicque Daley, Arthur Bosua, Zeiko Lewis
Discipline: None

Sporting Kansas City II vs. Charlotte Independence

(0-0-0)

5:00 p.m. ET |
Venue: Children’s Mercy Park

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: SKC Wins 29% | Draw 25% | CLT Wins 46%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: The Independence will begin their quest to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017 with a visit to Kansas City in a contest that could feature two standout forwards – veteran Dane Kelly (CLT) and youngster Wilson Harris (SKC).
Projected Lineup: John Pulskamp; Jaylin Lindsey, Danny Barbir, Graham Smith, Amadou Dia; Christian Duke, Dillon Serna; Felipe Hernandez, Gianluca Busio, Wan Kuzain; Wilson Harris
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Brandon Miller; Duke Lacroix, Jack Maher, Hugh Roberts, Joel Johnson; Kevan George, Junior Etou, Valentin Sabella; Derek Gebhard, Dane Kelly, Enzo Martinez
Discipline: None

Rio Grande Valley FC vs. LA Galaxy II

(0-0-0)

7:30 p.m. ET |
Venue: H-E-B Park

FiveThirtyEight.com Predictor: RGV Wins 29% | Draw 27% | LA Wins 34%
(0-0-0)
The Gist: The Toros and Los Dos both ended last regular season in impressive form, but it was only good enough to carry the Galaxy II into the postseason. Rio Grande Valley will be hoping it can get out of the blocks more quickly this campaign.
Projected Lineup: Cody Cropper; Emile Legault, Erik McCue, Kyle Adams, Robert Coronado; Isidro Martinez, Timo Mehlich, Luka Prpa; Juan Carlos Obregon, Deshane Beckford, Kevin Rodriguez
Discipline: None
Projected Lineup: Eric Lopez; Mauricio Cuevas, Omar Ontiveros, Isaac Bawa, Jesus Vazquez; Kai Koreniuk, Adrian Vera, Didie Traore, Adam Saldana; Gordon Wild, Augustine Williams
Discipline: None
 

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