Phoenix Rising welcomed LA Galaxy II to Casino Arizona Field on Saturday as the USL restarted its season in its new form, following leagues like Serie A and the Bundesliga. With the temperature hovering around 110 degrees at kickoff, Rising continued their winning ways, defeating LA 4-0.
This tactical analysis looks to examine the tactics used by both Rick Schantz for Rising and Junior Gonzalez for Los Dos. The analysis will look to better explain how Rising were able to continue their impressive home record despite the lack of supporters in the crowd.
Lineups
Rick Schantz sent Rising out in a Barcelona-esque 4-3-3 with Zac Lubin in goal. Darnell King, who recently joined Rising, started as the right-back, with Corey Whelen and Joe Farrell as centre-backs, and Owusu-Ansah Kontor as the left-back. Kevon Lambert was the holding midfielder with Jon Bakero and Jordan Schweitzer as the other two central midfielders. The front three consisted of Junior Flemmings on the left-wing, Solomon Asanté on the right-wing, and new signing Rufat Dadashov as the centre-forward.
Junior Gonzalez opted for a 4-2-3-1 to counter Rising’s 4-3-3, and he started Abraham Romero in goal. In front of Romero, from the left side of the pitch to the right, were Isaac Bawa, Omar Ontiveros, Jesús Vázquez, and Mauricio Cuevas. The two defensive midfielders were Adam Saldana and Adrian Vera; in front of them centrally was Jorge Hernandez. Iván Gutiérrez started on the left-wing as Sebastian Nava started on the right, with Augustine Williams starting as the club’s forward for the match.
