Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion hopeful Phoenix Rising FC has signed two design firms to collaborate on the creation of its planned stadium.
Populous, a leading architectural firm that has designed seven MLS stadiums, will work alongside Gould Evans, a Phoenix-based multi-disciplinary design firm with expertise in environmentally responsive structures, on the project.
Phoenix, which currently plays in the US’s second division United Soccer League, is among the 12 teams vying for an MLS expansion franchise. Its current home ground is the 6,200-capacity Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex (pictured).
“It was important for us to make sure that the selected firm really understood our needs,” said Brett Johnson, co-chairman for Phoenix Rising FC.
“We need to build a stadium that will be comfortable for both the fans and players, so it was crucial that the winning architectural design team understood the challenges and opportunities associated with the Sonoran Desert.
“We conducted months of analysis with multiple organisations to ensure we were picking the ideal companies for the job and we could not be more excited or confident in this partnership. This announcement represents another milestone in Phoenix Rising’s ‘Rising is Ready for MLS’ campaign.”
Populous helped to design Yankee Stadium, Wembley Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, Orlando City SC Stadium, BBVA Compass Stadium and Children’s Mercy Park. 
“Phoenix Rising fans deserve a state-of-the-art MLS stadium, and we couldn’t be more excited to create that environment,” said Scott Capstack, principal at Populous. “We will bring the best of our global soccer design experience to this wonderfully exciting project.”
Plans for the new, privately financed stadium are on track, pending an MLS expansion, with the facility ready to open as soon as the 2021 MLS season.
Image: Gonzo Fan2007
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