PHOENIX — In January, Danny Stone was named as the head coach of the defending USL champions, Phoenix Rising FC.
Now, nearly six months later, the club has parted ways with Stone as they sit in sixth place in the Western Conference after going 5-6-6 in their first 17 games of the 2024 season. Stone also lead the club to the Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup, their deepest run ever.
Rising currently sits seven points behind first-place New Mexico United FC.
Stone was promoted to become Rising's head coach on January 18, taking over for Juan Guerra, who left to become an assistant coach with MLS side Houston Dynamo.
Stone had been with Rising FC since March 2021, joining the club as a member of then-Head Coach Rick Schantz's staff. He stayed with Rising after they parted ways with Schantz in Aug. 2022 and was an assistant coach on Guerra's staff and helped lead Rising to the 2023 title.
During Stone's three years as an assistant, he helped lead Rising to a record of 48-31-26.
However, Rising's title defense did not start how they had hoped, leading the team to make the change.
"Danny Stone has been a dedicated and influential part of the club over the last three years," Phoenix Rising FC President Bobby Dulle said in a press release. "His commitment and contributions, from his work with our youth teams to his time as head coach, have been invaluable. He was an instrumental part of winning the championship last fall, and we want to thank him for his professionalism and unwavering dedication. On behalf of our owners, front office, and fans, we extend our deepest gratitude to Danny for his efforts and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."
Stone is originally from Liverpool, England, and moved to Tempe when he was 15 years old. He played high school soccer at Corona del Sol High School before returning to his home country, where he played professionally for Blackburn Rovers FC and Notts County FC.
After his professional career ended, Stone earned his U.S. Soccer Federation "A" license and began his coaching career working with youth soccer academies in Las Vegas. He then took a similar position with MLS side Colorado Rapids in 2008 and helped the club develop the structure for their youth academy. He was an assistant coach for the Rapids for three seasons from 2015-18.
His career in the USL began when he took a job as an assistant coach for Oklahoma City Energy FC for the 2019-20 seasons. He then moved back to the Valley to work for Rising in 2021.
What's next for Phoenix Rising FC?
Rising Assistant Coach Diego Gómez will take over on an interim basis as the club searches for their next head coach.
Gómez has coaching experience with AC Milan's youth academy in Hong Kong, the DV7 Academy, Queensboro FC II, Albion SC and Irvine Zeta.
Gómez's first match as interim head coach will be on Saturday, July 6 when Rising hit the road to take on San Antonio FC. His first home match with be on Friday, July 19 when Rising hosts El Paso Locomotive FC at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium in Phoenix.
Tickets for that match can be purchased by going to phxrisingfc.com/tickets.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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