The 2023 season is tugging along as we are through 8 weeks of games. Last week rising took a victory at home against Loudoun 3-1 in a game we desperately needed 3 points.
Last week Rising dominated every statistical category in this game, having 62% possession, 90% passing accuracy, and 4 shots on goal. Goals came in the 33rd, 36th and 91st minutes for Rising. The goals were scored by Hernandez, Arteaga, and Njie respectively with assists coming on the first two goals from Arteaga and Hernandez. The performance from Arteaga and Hernandez also earned them an appearance on the USL team of the week.
Now Rising (2-1-4 10 points) travels east to Tampa (2-4-2 8 points) for another cross conference show down. Tampa has had a slow start to this year compared to years past as they have been dominant in the east coast. This matchup is between the 7th place teams in their respective conferences. A storyline for the USL, which they have a full article online talking about, is how Niell Collins and Juan Guerra are former teammates both playing for Tampa in 2016. In that article it notated how this will be Juan's first appearance back in Tampa as a head coach.
Last week Tampa defeated Detroit with a late goal in the 79th minute by Dennis.
Rising have yet to defeat Tampa Bay as they have lost 2-1 in 2021 (the season after the cancelled USL championship game due to COVID). And a stomping by Tampa 5-1 last year which ultimately lead to Rising only winning once in 11 games and seeing Rick Schantz leave the club.
This game should be fun to watch and an interesting feat. While a lot of people talk about the impotence in Rising's attack at times. I believe our true struggles come from our defense. Rising has yet to record a shut-out this year. There are only 2 teams in the USL Championship this year who have not recorded a shut-out, and that's Hartford Athletic and Phoenix Rising.
Can Rising get their first win against Tampa? Or can they add to this and get their first shut out of the year? Tune in at 4:30 Arizona time as we take on the rowdies in Tampa.
Comments