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!!!

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.

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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!

2010 World Cup Final Viewing Parties

// July 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // MLSPR, Where to watch the World Cup

Join us to watch the 2010 World Cup final on Sunday! The Netherlands will be taking on Spain. Neither country has ever reached a World Cup final before, so this year we will see a first time winner regardless of which team lifts the cup!

2010 WORLD CUP FINAL
The Netherlands vs. Spain
Sunday, July 11, 2010
11:30 a.m.

Where to Watch

The American Outlaws Viewing Party
16th Street Bar & Grill (Phoenix)

Other recommended soccer-friendly viewing sites:
Buffalo Wings & Rings (Chandler)
Churchill’s Pub & Grill (Chandler)
McDuffy’s (Chandler)
Shakespeare’s (Mesa)
Upper Deck Sports Grill (Scottsdale)
Skeptical Chymist (Scottsdale)
McDuffy’s (Peoria)

Fourth of July Weekend Roadtrip

// July 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Major League Soccer, MLSPR

If you are still looking for something fun to do this holiday weekend, please remember the roadtrip to see both Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy. It is not too late. To RSVP or if you have questions, shoot an email to sp-events@mlsphoenixrising.com. Tickets – order directly from the club, multiple seating/price options available.
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As U.S. Gains Soccer Fans, Arizona Struggles

// July 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // MLSPR, Pro Soccer in Phoenix

The United States is slowly but surely becoming a soccer nation.

Football still is king in America, but futbol is continuing to make headway. The World Cup is setting record viewer ratings on American TV. More U.S. players are playing with the world’s top professional teams than ever before, even as North America’s own league, Major League Soccer, grows at a solid pace. And soccer trails only basketball and baseball as the most-participated youth sport in the country.

In Arizona, however, soccer continues to struggle to find its footing. There are no major-league or major-college men’s teams here. The state is home to excellent high-end youth clubs, but youth participation has not grown over the past quarter-century even as the population has soared, producing few stars. Phoenix native Robbie Findley, who has been playing for the U.S. at the World Cup in South Africa, is an exception.

Arizona stands in stark contrast to soccer hotbeds such as Seattle, where the MLS team has connected with a rabid fan base to form one of the most vibrant soccer regions in the nation.

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Mexico v Argentina Viewing Party

// July 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // MLSPR, Where to watch the World Cup

Thank you to everyone who showed up to McDuffy’s in Chandler for Mexico’s Round of 16 battle with Argentina, who defeated El Tri to advance into the quarterfinals. Despite this result, everyone had a great time.