My Writings. My Thoughts.
PHOENIX MONSOON HOME OPENER
// April 6th, 2012 // No Comments » // Local Teams, Pro Soccer in Phoenix
Support LIVE soccer in Phoenix!
Come out and support the Phoenix Monsoon in their home opener against the Fullerton Rangers at Tolleson Union High School (9419 W. Van Buren Street, Tolleson, AZ) on Saturday, April 7, 2012, at 4 pm. Tickets are only $8 and only $5 for youth under 10. Let them know you are an MLS PHOENIX RISING supporter! We can negotiate future ticket discounts if we have a good turnout for this match.
Major League Soccer Preseason Training
// February 22nd, 2012 // No Comments » // Local Stars, Major League Soccer, Pro Soccer in Phoenix
We know it pales in comparison to having our own MLS team but … Arizona soccer fans are truly fortunate to be able to see several MLS teams “up close and personal” while they take advantage of our gorgeous weather and excellent training facilities to prepare for the 2012 MLS Season. We were able to catch the scrimmage between DC United and Sporting Kansas City at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande on February 11. (Check out our photos on Flickr!) Real Salt Lake and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC were also using the training fields at the same time. It was a fun opportunity to see several old and new, famous and not-so-famous players in a very open and relaxed atmosphere. We also got to check out Phoenix native Nick DeLeon — DC United’s pick in this year’s SuperDraft—and newly acquired DC United player Danny Cruz from Glendale, AZ.
So far this year, MLS teams have practiced at Reach 11 in Phoenix, Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, and in Tucson. We hope you’ve been able to catch some of the action. If not, you still have time! The Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, and Real Salt Lake are here for the Desert Diamond Cup at Kino Stadium in Tucson (Feb. 22-March 3 – info below) and the Red Bulls vs. Pumas UNAM Reto del Sol match at Chase Field in Phoenix on Feb. 23 (info below).
Take advantage of the opportunity and get out and catch some live MLS soccer!
Road Trip to the Final of the Desert Diamond Cup in Tucson
// February 22nd, 2012 // No Comments » // Major League Soccer, MLSPR
Want to see four MLS teams in action in competitive preseason matches, tailgate, and support a fellow group of dedicated AZ soccer fans? Join other MLS PHOENIX RISING supporters and friends at the Finals of the DESERT DIAMOND CUP on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 6 pm (third place) and 8 pm (Cup Final) at Kino Stadium in Tucson.
HURRY TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST!!!
The LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, and Real Salt Lake will participate in the 2012 DESERT DIAMOND CUP – a round robin tournament that takes place in Tucson from February 22 to March 3, 2012. Here’s the full tournament schedule:
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
6:00PM - NE Revolution vs. LA Galaxy
8:00PM - NY Red Bulls vs. Real Salt Lake
Saturday, February 25, 2012
6:00PM - LA Galaxy vs, Real Salt Lake
8:00PM - NY Red Bulls vs. NE Revolution
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
6:00PM - Real Salt Lake vs. NE Revolution
8:00PM - LA Galaxy vs. NY Red Bulls
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012 – FINALS
6:00PM - No. 3 vs. No. 4
8:00PM - No. 1 vs. No. 2
The Cactus Pricks, the official independent Supporters’ Group for FC TUCSON (USL PDL), has several different packages available for the DESERT DIAMOND CUP.
Let’s head down for the final matches on Saturday, March 3! Buy the full match day package for $55 and you can enjoy the matches and tailgate, take home a commemorative scarf, and support The Cactus Pricks OR you can just purchase a ticket and tailgate pass:
March 3 Full Package – $55
- A ticket in the Supporters Section for both March 3 Finals matches
- A pass for entry into the official tailgate (food, drinks (beer and soda), and music provided)
- A 2012 Cactus Pricks Annual Membership
- A Cactus Pricks Desert Cup scarf
March 3 Ticket and Tailgate Only – $30
– A single ticket in the Supporters Section and a tailgate pass
Note: The Supporters Section is General Admission. Expect an atmosphere similar to the American Outlaws section at USMNT matches.
The following items can also be purchased from The Cactus Pricks -
• Ticket in Supporter’s Section for the other DDC matches – $25
• Cactus Pricks scarf – $25
• Cactus Pricks Annual Membership – $15
For more information and to purchase tickets for March 3 or any of the other tournament dates, visit The Cactus Pricks website at http://cactuspricks.com. Tickets are also available online thru FC Tucson’s website.
If you are interested in overnight lodging for the night of March 3rd, let us know. If enough people express interest, we will look into getting a discount hotel rate. MLSPR supporters who are heading down to any of the other Desert Diamond Cup matches are invited to use our Facebook page to coordinate transportation, meet ups, etc.
An Opportunity to Support MLS (and MFL) in Downtown Phoenix
// February 22nd, 2012 // No Comments » // Major League Soccer, MLSPR, Pro Soccer in Phoenix
MLS PHOENIX RISING supporters and friends have a chance to demonstrate this area’s strong support for professional soccer when the NEW YORK RED BULLS of Major League Soccer (MLS) take on PUMAS UNAM of the Mexican Football League (MFL) in the RED BULL CHALLENGE OF THE SUN (“Reto Del Sol”) on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 8:00 pm at Chase Field in Phoenix. Ticket prices start at $20 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the gate.
Let’s show up in force and show MLS officials that Arizona fans deserve our own first division professional soccer team!
The YANKS are Here!
// January 19th, 2012 // No Comments » // International, MLSPR, USA - Men's
As many Valley soccer fans know, the U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM has been in the Phoenix area since early January in advance of their match against Venezuela at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Some of you may have been lucky enough to catch the team practicing at Reach 11. If you were one of the lucky ones, please share your experiences and photos with fellow fans by posting on our Facebook page or sending an email to MLS PHOENIX RISING and we will post them on our website.
OPEN PRACTICE
This weekend will be a full one for USMNT fans beginning with an open practice on Friday, January 20 from 5-6 p.m. at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann will address those in attendance. Come out and show your support! You will need to sign up for info. Details can be found at the the U.S. Soccer website.
NIGHT-BEFORE-MATCH PARTY
The AMERICAN OUTLAWS will host a pre-match party on Friday evening from 7 pm – 2 am at the 16th Street Bar & Grill in Phoenix. Details can be found on the American Outlaws website.
PRE-MATCH TAILGATE
The AMERICAN OUTLAWS pre-match tailgate will begin at 4 pm on Saturday, January 21st and will be located on “Lawn C” with parking in the South “East” RV/General Parking Lot. The event is BYOB but food will be provided. Please bring food and/or drinks to share with fellow footy fans! Details and a map are provided on the American Outlaws website. Also, look for members of MLS PHOENIX RISING at the American Outlaws tailgate and on the Great Lawn!
Many MLSPR members will also be in the American Outlaws section behind the goal in the stadium.
This is our chance to show U.S. Soccer that Arizona supports the USMNT and does not need a match against Mexico to get a good turnout. It would be great to get Phoenix on the USSF’s radar for a future World Cup qualifier!
We hope to see all of you this weekend!!!
US Men’s National Team in Glendale!
// December 2nd, 2011 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
In case you haven’t heard, the US Men’s National Team will play Venezuela at University of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday January 21st!! For our American Outlaw members, tickets are already available for the supporters section and can be found on the store page of the American Outlaws website.
An Opportunity to Help Disabled Footballers in Haiti
// August 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // International, Other Countries
MLS Phoenix Rising recently learned the principals of Phoenix Pro Soccer (PPS) have another exciting project in the works. While many in the Phoenix area know about PPS’s efforts to bring a professional soccer franchise to the Valley, they believe their upcoming personal mission work is a bit more important in the greater scheme of things. PPS’s managing partners, Chris Campasano and Edward Sakiewicz, will be traveling to Port-au-Prince, Haiti on August 12, 2010, on a mission trip with Dr Fred Sorrells from the International Institute of Sport to help organize and select the first-ever Haitian National Amputee Football Team. The team will be assembled in Haiti in preparation for their participation in the Amputee Football World Cup to be held in Crespo, Argentina from October 16-27, 2010.
Arizona Sahuaros Fail to Advance in 2010 U.S. Open Cup
// August 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Local Teams, MLSPR
There is disappointing news for area soccer fans who were hoping to see the Arizona Sahuaros advance in this year’s U.S. Open Cup. The Sahuaros fell in the second round of the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to the USSF Div. 2 Austin Aztex FC by the score of 3-1. The match was played on June 22, 2010, at House Park in Austin, Texas. Aztex forward Peri Merosevic (on loan from FC Dallas) scored a hat trick with goals in the 35th, 81st, and 89th minutes. The lone goal for the Sahuaros was scored by Kevin Cornwall at 10 minutes into the second half. Alex Lopez, who is a member of the Chivas USA U-20 team, assisted on the goal. A report of the match with video highlights is available at the U.S. Open Cup website.
PHOENIX DEL SOL TOP DIVISION IN INAUGURAL SEASON
// July 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Local Teams, MLSPR
On Saturday, July 17, Phoenix del Sol, the area’s new team in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), finished in the top spot in the WPSL Big Sky-North Division with a 2-0 victory over the Salt Lake City Sparta. Four teams in the North Division–Phoenix del Sol, Arizona Rush, Salt Lake City Sparta, Utah Starz–entered the weekend of matches against each other with a chance at winning the division. Phoenix del Sol clinched the top spot with a record of 5-1-2 (17 pts) while the two-time defending division champions, the Arizona Rush, took second place with a record of 4-0-4 (16 pts). Phoenix del Sol will travel to play the Oklahoma Alliance FC, winner of the Big Sky South Division, on Thursday, July 27, 2010. The winner of that match will play in the 2010 WPSL Final Four in Dallas, Texas.
MLSPR congratulates both Arizona-based WPSL teams for their great regular seasons and wishes Phoenix del Sol all the best in post-season play!
Phoenix Monsoon Meet & Greet
// July 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Local Teams, MLSPR
We have put together a joint viewing party and meet-and-greet for Wednesday July 28th at Upper Deck Sports Grille in Olde Towne Scottsdale. The viewing party will be for the MLS All Star game pitting the MLS’s best versus Man U. Kick off will be at about 5pm. We will be having a meet-and-greet with Stu Starky and the rest of Phoenix Monsoon immediately after (beginning about 7). Hope to see you there!
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