(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Phoenix Rising FC.)
By Axios
Things look different for Phoenix Rising FC this year as the Valley’s professional soccer team prepares to begin a new season as defending champions.
Catch up quick: The team won its first United Soccer League Championship last year, defeating the Charleston Battery 3-2 on penalty kicks.
Driving the news: Phoenix opens its season at home Saturday against Birmingham Legion FC.
- New head coach Danny Stone told reporters on Wednesday that the players have a big target on their backs as defending champions.
- “Every team we play … we will be a target, and we will be something that every team will chase this year, so we need to be ready for that,” he said at a press conference at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium.
The big picture: The Rising has a new coach, a host of new players and some big holes to fill from last year’s championship team.