Back from Ireland, local talent Ryan Flood has re-signed with the Phoenix Rising FC.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The announcement came days before the Rising’s second match of the 2024 season. The defender’s reintroduction to the football club is currently pending the approval from the league and federation.
Speaking to the Phoenix Rising FC website, Flood said, “I am fortunate to have a good relationship with the club and the fans so the opportunity to come back home to play here again is unbelievable.” He continues to say, “It’s going to be a great year to come back. It’s a great group of people and players. I’m excited.”
🚨FLASH FLOOD WARNING🚨
Flood gates are now open. #TodosRojos | @floodabk pic.twitter.com/wdb1Y9cash
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) March 14, 2024
Reminiscing on Ireland
While in across the pond, Flood had signed a two-year contract with the Finns Harp. During the 2023 season, he scored 14 goals and made 36 appearances across all competitions.
Commenting on his experience, Flood said, “I feel like I learned a different way to play football,” said Flood. “It was a lot more physical. There was a lot of passion. I was playing a lot higher up the field. I was put in the position to be the guy to score goals and get assists.”
When the time came for the Arizona local to return home to the valley, he had this to say about the cooperativeness of the Finns Harp, “They allowed me to come home and work through some personal stuff. They made it nice for me to be able to come home and be closer to family. Last year was a great experience, to go play and see that part of the World, but I consider this club family. Everyone wants to be a winner here.”
Rising’s Reaction
Head coach Danny Stone, said this about Flood joining the team,”[Ryan] has a good blend of competitive personality and a competitor on the field, and some good quality in potentially different areas of the fields. Ryan fills a need for us in the squad, at this moment, and we’ve been pleased with him since he’s joined the group.”
Team cohesiveness is important to Stone. He mentioned in an interview, “It’s great to get a group together and spend time with each other… in more areas and in more ways than just on a training field.”
He went on to say, “It’s not just from an on-field development of a team, it’s hugely off-field as well in developing relationships between each other. Players getting to know each other, especially when you have eight to nine new players joining a good core of exsisting payers that integration is something that is very important that it happens on a personal level as well as a playing level.”
Coming Up Next
The Rising FC is currently on the road to Monterey California to prepare for their second match of the season. They will be playing against the Monterey Bay FC
The following game is on Saturday March 23, against the Oakland Roots FC at the Phoenix Rising Stadium. The full game schedule and tickets are available through the official Phoenix Rising FC website.
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