PHOENIX RISING FC

Core 4 reunited as center back Joey Farrell re-signs with Phoenix Rising

Nov 17, 2020, 2:30 PM | Updated: Dec 2, 2020, 12:53 pm

Phoenix Rising FC center back Joey Farrell celebrates with the 2020 Western Conference Final trophy...

Phoenix Rising FC center back Joey Farrell celebrates with the 2020 Western Conference Final trophy. (Arizona Sports/Ashley Orellana).

(Arizona Sports/Ashley Orellana)

The core-four has reunited in Arizona once again.

Phoenix Rising FC announced on Tuesday that center back Joey Farrell would be returning for the 2021 season.

The re-signing means that the quartet of Farrell, Solomon Asante, Kevon Lambert and Zac Lubin — the only players remaining from the 2018 USL Championship Final team — will don a PRFC kit for the fourth consecutive season together.

“I am thrilled to be back in Rising red and black for the 2021 season,” Farrell said in a press release.

“Phoenix has quickly turned into my second home. I am excited to continue our journey together as we strive for our ultimate goal of becoming USL Cup Champions.”

The Philadelphia native most recently became PRFC’s first-choice center back while Damion Lowe — who is still technically a free agent — battled to get on the pitch due to injury late in the regular season and during the playoff run.

Farrell, who will be 27 years old at the start of next season, also converted on both of his penalties in the two shootouts Phoenix needed in order to advance to the 2020 USL Championship Final.

Since signing with PRFC in December 2017, the center back has started in 57 of his 68 appearances in all competitions.

Farrell — who was nicknamed “Philly” by his teammates in 2019 — has netted six goals and notched two assists in his time in the Valley.

And with the departure of defender Corey Whelan and center back A.J. Cochran, Farrell is currently the only center back on the roster.

However, Saturday’s friendly match between Jamaica and Saudi Arabia saw an interesting proposal for manager Rick Schantz.

The Reggae Boyz deployed the center back duo of Lowe and Lambert, the latter of which has been Schantz’s preferred No. 6 and a staple of his starting XI for each of the last three seasons.

Phoenix Rising now has nine players signed to its roster ahead of the 2021 USLC campaign:

Goalkeepers: Zac Lubin

Fullbacks: Darnell King

Center backs: Joey Farrell

Midfielders: Jon Bakero, Kevon Lambert, Sam Stanton

Forwards: Solomon Asante, Rufat Dadashov and Santi Moar

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Rising FC

The all-new 2024 Phoenix Rising "Todos Rojos" home kit. (Image via Phoenix Rising FC)...

David Veenstra

Phoenix Rising FC reveals new kits for 2024 USL Championship season

Phoenix Rising Football Club revealed new uniforms for the upcoming season on Thursday at Marquee Theatre in Tempe.

28 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort chats pregame...

Arizona Sports

Full Arizona Sports’ 2024 Newsmakers Week schedule

Leaders from the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona State Sun Devils and more join Bickley & Marotta.

1 month ago

Phoenix Rising FC's press conference announcing the move to Gila River's Wild Horse Pass. (Arizona ...

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Rising FC no longer pursuing women’s team in USL Super League

Phoenix Rising have backed out of creating a team in the USL Super League despite approval of Division I status by U.S. Soccer for the league.

2 months ago

An exterior view of SoFi Stadium prior to a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams a...

Associated Press

US men to play 3 West Coast games in 2026 World Cup group play

The USMNT will play three games along the West Coast in its group stage for the 2026 World Cup; two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

2 months ago

Danny Stone, Phoenix Rising FC...

Vincent DeAngelis

Phoenix Rising FC hires new head coach Danny Stone

A new era for Phoenix Rising FC has begun as Danny Stone was named the new head coach on Thursday.

2 months ago

Juan Guerra...

Damon Allred

Phoenix Rising FC head coach Juan Guerra departs for MLS assistant coach job

Phoenix Rising head coach Juan Guerra will leave the club for an assistant coaching job in Major League Soccer, the club announced Monday.

3 months ago

Core 4 reunited as center back Joey Farrell re-signs with Phoenix Rising