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Rising FC Announces Musa’s Return in 2019

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 11/19/18, 6:04PM EST

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New Zealand international excited for second season in Phoenix


Photo courtesy Michael Rincon / Phoenix Rising FC

PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising Football Club announced on Monday that New Zealand international James Musa would return to the club for the 2019 season.

“I am delighted to be coming back to Phoenix in 2019 to build on the success we had in 2018," Musa said. "I can’t wait to link up with my new and old teammates and get to work to achieve our goal of bringing back two trophies in 2019. 

"The club epitomizes what a top franchise in USL should look like. Not just from the player's standpoint but the ownership, coaches, front office and of course the fans are all amazing.  It’s an exciting time for football fans in Phoenix and 2019 is only going to be better!”

Musa made 26 appearances and logged 2,126 minutes of action in his first season with Rising FC while recording one assist and 15 key passes. Despite missing the latter stages of the season – including the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs – due to injury, Musa still ranked third for Phoenix with 42 interceptions and fifth in clearances with 57.

The 26-year-old has made 101 appearances in the USL Championship over the past four seasons, including winning the Western Conference Championship in the 2017 season with the Swope Park Rangers. Internationally, Musa has appeared with the U20, U23, and senior national squads for New Zealand. He’s appeared in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics in addition to three caps with the senior national team.

Musa’s most recent appearance for the All Whites came in September 2017 when he played 26 minutes in a 6-1 first-leg victory over Solomon Islands in the OFC Final Playoff. He then played 13 minutes in a 2-2 second-leg draw as New Zealand won the tie 8-3 on aggregate to advance to last November's World Cup playoff.

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