2024 USL Championship All-League Second Team selection Pape Mar Boye is among 12 players currently set to return to Phoenix Rising FC for the 2025 USL Championship season. | Photo courtesy Ashley Orellana / Phoenix Rising FC
PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising FC announced on Tuesday its year-end roster moves ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season.
Twelve players have been retained to form the core of the 2025 squad, including USL Championship All-League Second Team defender Pape Mar Boye, who led the team in clearances and duels in 2024. Defenders Mohamed Traore and Edgardo Rito, midfielders Charlie Dennis and Giulio Doratiotto, and forwards Dariusz Formella, Darius Johnson and Jearl Margaritha are also set to return to the club.
Additionally, the club exercised contract options for Emil Cuello, Gabi Torres, Ryan Flood, and JP Scearce. Contract options were declined for Alejandro Fuenmayor and Renzo Zambrano.
“I'm looking forward to working with this group of players we have returning for the 2025 season who have demonstrated their commitment, skill, and resilience, which will form the foundation of our success moving forward,” said Rising Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah. “Each one brings a unique quality to the team, and together, they embody the drive and passion that define Phoenix Rising. We're building on something special here, and I believe this core group will set the standard for the culture and competitiveness we want to establish this upcoming season.”
Several players are out of contract, and loan agreements for others have expired, including Juan Carlos Azocar, Damien Barker John, Federico Varela, John Stenberg, Jose Hernandez, Laurence Wyke, Patrick Rakovsky, Remi Cabral, Rocco Rios Novo, and Tomas Angel.
“We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all the players who will not be returning for the 2025 season,” said Rising President Bobby Dulle. “Their dedication, hard work, and contributions have been instrumental in the success of our club. As we move forward into the new season, we wish them all the best in their future endeavors and will continue to make thoughtful decisions with an eye toward building a strong team for the future.”