North American football club Arizona United has changed its name to Phoenix Rising and announced plans to develop a new stadium in the Scottsdale area of Arizona.
Working in partnership with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Solanna Group, the club hopes to construct its 15.8-acre football-specific Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex close to the cities of Tempe and Scottsdale.
Newly-named Phoenix Rising, which competes in the third-tier United Soccer League, plans to kick-off the 2017 season at the new facility. The club said the new 5,000-seat stadium will meet the standard of football’s global governing body Fifa.
The club played at the 12,000-capacity Peoria Stadium, which is primarily a baseball venue, during the 2016 season.
“These planned investments should serve as proof that we are serious about creating a successful soccer franchise in our state,” Phoenix Rising governor Berke Bakay said. “We seek to prove that the Valley of the Sun can deliver a successful United Soccer League team and eventually compete at the highest levels of soccer.”
David Fordon, chief executive and general manager of the Solanna Group, added: “We’re quite impressed by Phoenix Rising’s grasp of the goal we are trying to achieve at Akimel 7 for a quality sports and entertainment environment. We also appreciate the club’s commitment to bring a state-of-the-art, Fifa stadium designed for Arizona’s climate to Salt River as a significant contribution to the economic growth of the community.
“We’re happy for the Valley and thrilled by the zeal and excitement that professional soccer will bring to all the passionate fans for the sport that are eager for top fight competition and international exhibitions.”
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