Phoenix Rising’s match away to Oakland postponed due to COVID-19
Jul 14, 2021, 7:22 AM | Updated: 7:32 am
Phoenix Rising FC's Santi Moar (#7) takes a left-footed shot against Oakland Roots SC at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Ariz., on May 8, 2021. (Owain Evans Photo)
(Owain Evans Photo)
Phoenix Rising FC’s match away to Oakland Roots SC on Wednesday has been postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases within Oakland’s camp.
“The decision has been made for the health and safety of all parties after multiple persons on the Roots SC covered persons list tested positive for COVID-19 following a second round of testing on Monday at Oakland’s facilities,” USL Championship said in a statement.
The game has been rescheduled for Aug. 25 at Las Positas College, while Oakland continues to better the playing surface at Laney College Football Stadium.
Phoenix was coming off a 1-1 draw away to Charlotte Independence on Saturday, and playing Wednesday would’ve marked PRFC’s second match in four days after traveling to both the East and West coasts.
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“We’re a little beat up from that Charlotte trip, so having a midweek (game) after a 2,000-mile flight in humidity on turf was not something we were excited about anyway,” PRFC manager Rick Schantz said Tuesday.
“So there was a little bit of a relief I think to the coaching staff — gives us a couple more days. We trained on Sunday, we trained (Monday), we were prepared. We were going to turn — I think the plan was six or seven changes.”
The rescheduled match will now be sandwiched in between PRFC hosting Pacific Division opponent Sacramento Republic FC on Aug. 21 and Four Corners Cup rival New Mexico United on Aug. 28.
“So now everybody can get a little bit more healthy — and I gave them (Tuesday) off — and get after it this weekend,” Schantz said.
“Now with it getting rescheduled for Aug. 25, it’s in between a couple games, but West Coast games, and that makes life a little bit better.”
Phoenix Rising’s next match will now be on Saturday against LA Galaxy II at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler.
PRFC defeated Los Dos 3-0 last time out in a rainy and windy home match on July 3.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be audio broadcast live on ArizonaSports.com and on the Arizona Sports app.
