Same stadium, new location for Phoenix Rising FC with home opener set for Saturday

If Phoenix Rising FC's stadium could talk, maybe it would describe the places the portable facility has been in just the last six years.

From Native American land near Tempe and Scottsdale, with an elevated portion of the 202 freeway looming behind the south goal, to more tribal land under the high rises of the Wild Horse Pass Resort and Casino near Chandler, to now, at 38th Street and Washington in Phoenix.

Planes take off from Sky Harbor Airport beyond the south goal, their engines audible but not overbearingly loud. Valley Metro light rail trains float along Washington Street, stopping a couple of hundred steps away from the entrance to the stadium along their route. Construction around the facility continues and likely will even after Saturday's 7:30 p.m. home opener for Rising FC against San Diego Loyal SC.

Ask Rising FC President Bobby Dulle, and the current spot is where the club has always hoped to be, after two seasons at Wild Horse Pass and four before that near Tempe Marketplace.

"About seven years ago, when this thing (Phoenix Rising FC) first started, this was one of the first locations that I set foot on," Dulle said from the east sideline of the stadium's pitch Friday morning. "And we were engaged in talking about this site in particular. So over the course of the years, it didn't work out then. But we couldn't be more excited about it working out now, because of the central nature of this site and all the features that go with it."

Those features include being a central location for fans coming from all parts of the Phoenix metro area. A light rail stop at Gateway Community College just across Washington Street, with fans holding game tickets riding for free, is a transportation option that didn't exist at the other stadium site.

Rising FC has consistently been a playoff team, missing out on the postseason for the first time since 2016 last season with a 12-16-6 record. This offseason saw heavy roster turnover, with head coach Juan Guerra going into his first full season at the helm after arriving late last season when the club parted ways with former head coach Rick Schantz.

The team didn't live up to the lofty expectations of fans who had grown accustomed to good records, a conference championship and playoff runs from previous seasons.

"It's part of who we are. It's a responsibility that you have when you put on this jersey, when you represent this organization. When you're part of this club, every player behind us, the staff members, front office, ownership group, we all know who we are. You understand who we represent," said Guerra, who earlier in his career was a Rising FC assistant coach. "When you're in Phoenix Rising, It's a different organization. It's an organization that is not hoping to win. It's pretty much that you're expected to win. And there's a big difference with both, but at the end of the day, that's not pressure on us. We call it our responsibility."

Dulle said the fans that Phoenix Rising FC engaged with voiced their desire for and approval of a more centrally located facility. He also said the club can learn from its past as its future in the city that is part of its name looks secure, with Rising FC able to remain at the 38th and Washington site for up to 10 years.

Over the years, good attendance and a loyal following have been hallmarks of the franchise. But the fans will see a lot of new faces in 2023, with only a handful of returning players from last season and before.

"In some respects, it's a blur. It's gone so quickly. But each of those things have helped shaped who we are as an organization. And we've taken bits and pieces from each of those sites, we're taking memories from those things, those sites, it's been all part of the journey, right?" Dulle said. "It's easy to focus on the results. But I think something we're trying to do this year in particular is really just focus on each and every day, not where we want to get to, because I think everyone wants to get there, everyone wants to win trophies, everyone wants to sell out, but it's focusing on each day. And if everyone does what they need to do, when we are all aligned, we can accomplish what we want at the end of this thing."

The offseason wasn't easy for Rising FC as far as logistics of training and playing preseason games. The team worked out at Legacy Sports near Mesa when not playing preseason matches in Tucson, at Grand Canyon University or in Mexico. But now the grass is in place in Phoenix, and a large crowd of maybe 9,000 to 10,000 is expected for the home opener.

On the surface, fans aren't likely to see much of a difference in the layout of the grounds compared to Wild Horse Pass. The giant video board remains and the premium seating areas, or suites, are now above the east side of the seating area instead of behind the goal. The supporters group section remains in the south end.

Downtown Phoenix views are in the distance to the west.

"We understand that when there's a process there's going to be challenges and adversity through that process. All those challenges and adversity moments have just made us stronger," Guerra said. "And now we're finally home and we cannot wait for (Saturday) night," Guerra said.

Defender and team captain Darnell King acknowledged that there are big shoes to fill as far as Rising FC getting back to its previous winning tradition.

"That was one of the reasons why I wanted to come here, And I wanted to when I was on the East Coast, when I was watching this team and I saw them winning everything," King said. "I wanted to be a part of that. So I was glad I was able to come here and be a part of this culture. And I want to continue it the best way I can."

King offered a message to Rising FC fans.

"We love you and we'll fight to the death for you," he said.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Finally in Phoenix, Rising FC hoping for better results in new location