Phoenix Rising announces full 2020 regular season schedule

Phoenix Rising revealed its full 34-game regular season schedule for the 2020 campaign on Thursday.

The announcement comes just three days after Monday’s unveiling of the club’s first two matches of the season.

Rising fans can celebrate the return of $1 beer night, as the schedule will include six games on Friday nights at Casino Arizona Field.

Here’s a look at the full 2020 USL Championship slate:

Phoenix Rising 2020 regular season schedule: #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/o2zq6SUiM8

— Jake Anderson (@jwa1994) January 9, 2020

Phoenix will open the year at home vs. Portland Timbers 2 on March 7 before hitting the road for the first time on March 14 to play defending USL Championship title winners Real Monarchs, who eliminated Rising in the Western Conference semifinals last season.

Manager Rick Schantz and Co. have a heavy dose of home matches to kick off the campaign.

Following a trip to San Antonio, Phoenix plays nine of its next 13 games at home, including four in a row from May 16 to June 6.

That span starts March 28 against Austin Bold and ends on June 19 vs. rival Orange County, which will be televised on ESPN Deportes.

Monarchs will make a trip down to the Valley on July 17 before Rising’s Aug. 22 home match against New Mexico, who eliminated Phoenix in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup in penalties last year.

The addition of Landon Donovan’s San Diego Loyal SC to the Western Conference marks Rising’s first trip to San Diego on June 24, with the first-ever match between the two sides being April 11 at Casino Arizona Field.

Meanwhile, the schedule will not feature Fresno, as the club will be sitting out 2020 after failing to secure a soccer-specific stadium. Fresno has announced it plans to return for the 2021 season.

Rising’s last regular season home match will be on Oct. 9 against Las Vegas before capping off the year at the Sacramento Republic, who is set to debut in MLS in 2022.

Phoenix is scheduled to start in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup, which takes place April 7-9. The club will find out its opponent following Jan. 29’s draw.

Rising’s preseason slate includes hosting three MLS sides in the Visit Tucson Sun Cup:

Feb. 15 vs. Columbus Crew

Feb. 19 vs. Sporting KC

Feb. 22 vs. Real Salt Lake

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