It was a fruitful week for the Rising FC roster. Shaun Wright-Phillips signed with the the franchise.He’s a familiar name to those who have followed Manchester City, Chelsea, and English International soccer. This comes on the heels of the signing and arrival of former Mexican International and Chivas star Omar Bravo. I would not be a bit surprised to see the payroll of Rising FC be at, or near the top of the USL,before all is said and done.
On the Expansion front, I have asked for MLS Commissioner Don Garber to come on the show. Right now the League isn’t wanting to talk much about the addition of teams. It’s really quite simple from my view. San Diego, Sacramento, Cincinnati, and St. Louis can all make a compelling case to be added to the League. However, none of them have the television market that Phoenix possesses. Also, I believe that the MLS wants to see just how much fan support will come out to the new location of the franchise. Fans are a major part of this equation. Sacramento has been drawing HUGE crowds which may be the reason why they might get a MLS franchise before Arizona. If you don’t think you matter in this pursuit, you’re wrong…
Looking at the Rising FC schedule, they were smart to work with USL on getting most of the games out of the Arizona heat. There will be just three home matches between June 25th and Labor Day. Smart. I have seen the team just shrivel up on the pitch the last three summers. Those games take A LOT out of the players…
I’ve received several questions about my status with the team. For the last three years I’ve been the play by-play face and voice of the franchise, I role that I did enjoy. However, the USL is using all their broadcast facilities and crews out of studios in Florida.There will be no broadcasters on site for matches here in 2017. Because of that, It appears for now that I won’t be doing the play by-play this season.
Next match-Saturday, March 4th 8pm at Grand Canyon University. Tickets are FREE!
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Brad Cesmat
Media personality Brad Cesmat first rose to fame in Southern California with the launching of "The Mighty 690" all-sports radio station in the late 1980's and early 90's. Brad came to Arizona in 1993 to begin a 10-year run at KTAR Radio followed by nine years at KTVK-TV in Phoenix. Brad is the Founder/ CEO of Sports360AZ.com. His vision of multi platform content marketing through sports began in September of 2011. Cesmat has served on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army for the last 18 years. He and his wife Chris have four children.