On Saturday evening, Phoenix Rising welcomed El Paso Locomotive to Casino Arizona Field in 105 degree heat for their USL Championship match. Rising was looking to earn three points after only earning one out of their last available six against Orange County SC. El Paso was in a similar situation, earning only one point out of six in their last two matches, both of which were against New Mexico United. Ultimately, Rising’s transitions and qualitative advantages proved to be too much, as they were able to send off assistant coach Peter Ramage, who will be joining EPL club Newcastle as an assistant coach for their U23 team, with all three points.
This tactical analysis will examine the tactics used by both Rick Schantz and Mark Lowry in Saturday evening’s match. The analysis will examine how Rising were able to secure a 3-1 victory despite some strong play from El Paso.
Lineups
Rick Schantz sent Rising out in a Barcelona-esque 4-3-3 with Eric Dick in goal. Darnell King started as the right-back, with Corey Whelen and A. J. Cochran as centre-backs, and Owusu-Ansah Kontor as the left-back. Kevon Lambert was the holding midfielder with Jon Bakero and Sam Stanton 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, who spent time in the lower leagues of the Bundesliga, as the centre-forward.
Mark Lowry set his squad up in a 4-2-3-1 with Logan Ketterer in goal. In front of Ketterer was Andrew Fox as the left-back, Chiró NToko and Mechack Jérôme as the centre-backs, and Drew Beckie as the right-back. The two holding midfielders were Yuma and Richie Ryan. In front of the defensive midfielders were Nick Ross on the left wing, Omar Salgado on the right wing, and Dylan Mares as the attacking midfielder. The lone striker and El Paso’s goal scorer was Aarón Gómez.
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