Having forgotten to take a left turn at Albuquerque, we found ourselves in the Valley of the Sun, home to one of the USL’s most exciting teams, Phoenix Rising FC. And so it the 2018 Western Conference Champions’ home, Casino Arizona Field, located in the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community, that became the 58th stop in our ‘Residence’ tour.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Casino Arizona Field seems like a work in progress. The 6200 capacity stadium is home to Phoenix Rising in their current guise as a USL team, but plans to create a Major League Soccer expansion would see the current site transformed into a far grander affair. As it is though, the stadium holds a quaint charm, surrounded by scrub land but still boasting a backdrop of mountainous national parks, it’s every bit a part of the fan experience that the club is built upon.
Founded in 2014 as Arizona United SC, Phoenix Rising rose from the ashes of a takeover in 2016 that now sees an ownership group comprised of the likes of Didier Drogba, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, and DJ and producer Diplo among others, bringing a touch of glamour to the table. And it’s a table that needs no ante, for despite it’s name, which simply comes from a multi-year sponsorship deal with Casino Arizona, there’s not a slot machine in sight.
Despite its relatively small scale, the stadium still prioritises the aforementioned fan experience in the unique way that only the US soccer scene can. A supporters section lays down the law for match day, setting out the expectations for anyone not familiar with the club by spelling it out for them: "What to expect – Standing the entire match, mature language, obstructed views, periods of heavy smoke, and loudness." Unapologetically blunt, you’re there to fully enjoy the game and no mistake. Will there be beverages? Yes. Adult beverages? Absolutely.
Photography by Grace Stufkosky for SoccerBible.
