Phoenix Rising FC coach Rick Schantz looks to build on last year's successes, learn from setbacks

Phoenix Rising FC will head into the new season determined to make it back to the USL Championship title game with a revamped squad and new home stadium.

Rising FC manager Rick Schantz knows last season was a challenging one for the club, even as it had success on the field.

The club faced various challenges from the pandemic, starting with the season being suspended soon after it began in March.

Then, four players tested positive for COVID-19 before their return to play during summer. The team also endured a controversy when Junior Flemmings, one of Phoenix's top players, was accused of using a homophobic slur during a match late in the season. A subsequent investigation by the league resulted in his suspension the rest of the season.

Despite that, Rising FC won the Western Conference and made it to the USL Championship title game, only to see it canceled when the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Rowdies had a COVID-19 outbreak.

Schantz said the key to their success on the field last season was the team culture.

"The culture that has been created in and around the organization," Schantz said, during an interview Thursday. "The locker room is often described by the players as the best they have been around with some players living together. Creating great relationships between the players has created a family bond so they came together as group wanting to succeed."

The season was a learning experience for the club, though, after the national scrutiny it faced from the Flemmings incident, which also resulted on Schantz being placed on administrative leave after he was overheard on the field making comments that appeared dismissive of the incident. He was allowed to return during the playoffs.

Schantz said he wishes he would have "taken a step back and think about his actions more clearly before defending the player and making ignorant statements." 

Upon his return, Schantz apologized and pledged to work with the LGBTQ+ community on expanding awareness. Schantz said the club has activities planned for himself, the players and staff members to help achieve that goal.

"I've been working with a few groups such as 'You Can Play' a LGBTQ+ community out of Colorado who will come out to the club during preseason and work with our players and staff ," Schantz said Thursday.

"I have been out to different communities in Phoenix and it has been a great experience learning from these groups and I strive to improve my understanding of diversity and differences in human beings to just improve as a human being."

The USL Championship league's season will begin May 1, later than usual, because of the pandemic.

The club plans to relocate for home games from Casino Arizona Field, near the Loop 202 and McClintock Drive, to a new facility being built on the Gila River Indian Community off Interstate 10 near Chandler. 

Schantz adjusted plans accordingly because of the delayed season opener, knowing players are not used to this long of an off-season.

This club also has revamped the squad with several new signings. The fans should expect a few more signings this offseason with Schantz's goal of having "two starting USL quality" players at every position, which he feels there are "two to three spots" where they need one more player.

"It was important for us to find players who are hungry and want to win championships," Schantz said. "The way it ended last year, we had a group of players that did not get to achieve their ultimate goal having gotten to the doorstep but could not open it so the group is very motivated this year."

Another motivation is the new stadium, which could help fulfill the club's ultimate goal of one day joining the MLS, the nation's top-level professional soccer league. 

But Schantz said it won't be just the club or stadium that will get Rising FC there one day.

"The soccer community in Arizona will be the one who drive us to MLS soccer with their high motivation these last few years to show expansion and growth of the club," Schantz said. "The sky is the limit for Arizona and I have always believed Phoenix really needs an MLS soccer team with the state starving for professional soccer at the highest level."