While expectations might be high for Phoenix to return to the USL Championship Final for what could be the third time in four seasons, Schantz emphasized the importance of staying focused on the game at hand. He's got a couple loan players who have come in since we played them last. 'They've done a really good job,' said Rising Head Coach Rick Schantz. In its only meeting this season, Rising defeated the Toros 3-1 in Phoenix on July 31. That win cam against the Mountain Division's number one seed, El Paso. RGV enters the match on a three-game winning streak, including a 4-1 victory in its regular-season finale.
the Toros, Rising is 4-0-0, outscoring RGV club, 9-2.
RGV, having outscored the Texas side, 12-4. Rising begins its playoff quest on Saturday, facing Rio Grande Valley Toros, which finished fourth in the Mountain Division with a 13-11-8 record. Phoenix advanced to the USL Championship Final in both 20, but have yet to bring home the ultimate trophy. Rising (4-2-4 all-time in the playoffs) has made the postseason every year since rebranding to Phoenix Rising FC in 2017. Phoenix Rising FC (20-5-7) finished the 2021 regular season unbeaten at Wild Horse Pass (11-0-5), earning the top spot in the Western Conference and home field advantage through the Conference Finals.
