PHOENIX – Phoenix Risingโ FC has found a key piece in itsโฃ growth strategy with โthe arrival of veteran defender Rafael Czichos, who is already making a significant impact on the team’s younger players. Czichos,a seasoned player with extensive experience in European soccer,joined the club with a โคclear mandate: to provide leadership and โmentorship.
Czichos expressed his enthusiasm โfor the role, stating, “I don’t want players to feel the pressure, and that is what I โam hereโ for.” He โhas aโค history of leadership, having frequently served as captain throughoutโ his career,โข and is eager to apply that experience in Phoenix.
“The club wanted me as a mentor, as a โleader on the field,” Czichos said. “I feel very comfortable in this situation, โin this position. I think,almost in every club,I have been a captain,so let’s see how much I can help the โฃkids here.”
The positive reception to Czichos’ arrival is evident among his teammates. Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky noted Czichos’ ability to manage the game’s tempo and provide crucial guidance: “He is someone who can calm down the game, โsomeoneโข who can lift โsomeone up, someone who maybeโ sees something that’s going to happenโฆ he is definitely bringing that.”
Rising Academy graduate Pierce Rizzo, 18, who recently made his debut with theโฃ first team, has already benefitted from Czichos’ coaching.Rizzo, currently playing right-back – a new position for him – highlighted โthe detailed instruction he’s โreceiving. “I am really thankful he is here becauseโ he has come in and he has coached โขme on aโข lot of different things thatโ I haven’t even seen before,” Rizzo said. “He is always trying to coach me and help me โฃget better, โขnot only โfor my benefit but for the team’s benefit.”
Despite having only made one start for the club,Czichos’ influence is already โpalpable,aligning with the club’s commitment โto developing youngโค talent. โคRising officials believe Czichos’ presenceโ will be instrumental in nurturing the โขnext generation of players who will shape theโฃ club’s future.