Phoenix Rising’s biggest pitch isn’t covered in grass. In a competitive race for one of only four coveted expansion slots, Phoenix Rising FC is putting its best foot forward in hopes of bringing MLS Soccer to the Valley of the Sun. With a January 31 application deadline looming, the once dark-horse Phoenix group is emerging as a strong contender due to its lack of obstacles and red tape en route to delivering MLS what it wants most, a soccer-only stadium.
Much has been made of the contentious race to secure one of the next four expansion slots into Major League Soccer. Since the league’s January 31st application deadline, the fate of each of the 12 applicant cities have risen and fallen primarily on the bidding owners’ ability to deliver the number-one item on the MLS wish list: a soccer-specific stadium.
With ample land, financing secured via Goldman Sachs, easy accessibility near Scottsdale, and a built-in fan base of millennials and Hispanics, Phoenix Rising seems to have none of the challenges that caused MLS to red-card similar efforts in San Diego and St. Louis. Even with area temperatures regularly ripping upper 90, Phoenix’s drier air still makes for a safer and more pleasant atmosphere than the humid climes of teams like Houston and Orlando. So far, PRFC has checked every box, and with ownership and MLS execs meeting with architects, Phoenix Rising FC seems poised to deliver on its goal of bringing a state-of-the-art FIFA Stadium to Arizona.
Phoenix Rising’s biggest pitch isn’t covered in grass. In a competitive race for one of only four coveted expansion slots, Phoenix Rising FC is putting its best foot forward in hopes of bringing MLS Soccer to the Valley of the Sun. With a January 31 application deadline looming, the once dark-horse Phoenix group is emerging as a strong contender due to its lack of obstacles and red tape en route to delivering MLS what it wants most, a soccer-only stadium.
With ample land, financing secured via Goldman Sachs, easy accessibility near Scottsdale, and a built-in fan base of millennials and Hispanics, Phoenix Rising seems to have none of the challenges that caused MLS to red-card similar efforts in San Diego and St. Louis. Even with area temperatures regularly ripping upper 90, Phoenix’s drier air still makes for a safer and more pleasant atmosphere than the humid climes of teams like Houston and Orlando. So far, PRFC has checked every box, and with ownership and MLS execs meeting with architects, Phoenix Rising FC seems poised to deliver on its goal of bringing a state-of-the-art FIFA Stadium to Arizona.