Preseason Scouting Report: RSL vs. Phoenix Rising FC

So we know what happens when RSL plays a third-string defense against the Dynamo — now it is time to see what line up we will send onto the pitch on Saturday.

Phoenix Rising FC is not an opponent to overlook, as they just beat Sporting KC 2-1 in Tucson. (Cheers all around.)

In the match Phoenix used this lineup, with substitutions added.

Phoenix Rising FC: Eric Dick; Austin Ledbetter (Darnell King 73), Joey Farrell (Corey Whelan 46), AJ Cochran, Kyle Bjornethun (Owusu-Ansah Kontoh 73); Jordan Schweitzer (Kevon Lambert 73), Jose Aguinaga (Jon Bakero 73), Joey Calistri; Solomon Asante (Santi Moar 46), Lagos Kunga (Denis Conteh 31), Junior Flemmings (Rufat Dadashov 73)

The two goals for Phoenix came from:

• Santi Moar (Joey Calistri) 66’
• Joey Calistri (unassisted) 78’

Since they only have 21 players signed to contracts the lineup and substitutions against Sporting KC made up 19 of their total players, I would imagine that we will see most if not all of the same players.

I also think that Phoenix will come out gunning for a win since the last time they faced a member of the Real Salt Lake family the Monarchs beat them 2-1 on Nov. 1, then went on to win the cup when Phoenix was ranked higher.

During that match, Phoenix controlled the ball for most of the match, and took an astounding 25 shots, so they are not afraid to shoot. Chang and Blake scored the two goals for the Monarchs, and Chang may feature against Phoenix again, though this time on a senior team contract.

RSL has not used substitutions as liberally in the preseason as some teams have, so look for Phoenix Rising FC to keep fresh legs on the pitch and push most of the match. They are a dominant club in the USL and they would love to notch a win against Sporting KC and the big brother to the Monarchs that ended their run last year. Not a team for RSL to overlook, but one that will give them a good challenge to wrap up their preseason and finish tuning up for the upcoming season.