San Antonio FC is posed to face off against defending champions, Phoenix Rising, this Saturday at Toyota Field. The pressure is on for San Antonio, who are looking to turn the tide after a disappointing run. Racking up a lackluster 17 points from 17 games, San Antonio's start to this season mirrors their 2019 performance, with a matching 4-8-5 record. The team's coach, Alen Marcina, acknowledged the rocky start, stating, “Overall, we are not in the position we desire or expected to be in,” in a statement obtained by Express News. Yet, Marcina remains hopeful, citing adversities and a commitment to doing the work and learning from this adversity and hardship as key to making a playoff push.
The clash with Phoenix represents more than just an opportunity to score points; it's a shot to break a five-game losing streak, a first in the club's history. Phoenix isn't without its drama, having recently parted ways with head coach Danny Stone and appointed Diego Gomez as the interim head coach. The change in leadership brings an element of unpredictability, something San Antonio's players are wary of. Defender Kendall Burks underlined this sentiment, expressing a need to "be ready to adapt" against a Phoenix squad known for their technical abilities, as reported by Express News.
On the other side, Rising's Interim Head Coach Diego Gomez is looking to make an immediate impact in his USL Championship debut, ensuring the team rises in the standings. “Now, as a group, all of the players and the staff are looking to be competitive, to rise in the standings, and to raise our level of play. I see a group that is hungry, and I’m personally hungry — I want to win Saturday, and I want to do well for this club, the staff, and this group of players,” Gomez said in an interview with Phoenix Rising FC. Facing their own troubles with a spotty 3-2-5 record over the last ten games, Rising's defense has remained resilient, holding five shutouts this season and maintaining a narrow goal average gap.
Recent matchups haven't favored San Antonio, having lost a game they were leading yet again last Saturday to Western Conference-leader New Mexico. The continued struggle to maintain leads has positioned San Antonio second from bottom in the Western Conference. However, they're determined to change their fortunes, with even new transfers like Nelson Flores Blanco aiming “We are excited as a group and eager to get three points in front of our fans,” according to the Express News.
Looking beyond Saturday's game, San Antonio is slated to host Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa in an international friendly, while Phoenix Rising is set to take a week off before celebrating First Responders' Night at their home game on July 19th.
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