Arizona Digest. Phoenix Rising FC tops San Antonio FC, moves closer to USL playoffs

Fall has arrived in Arizona, and there’s plenty of sports activity. Phoenix Rising FC's USL Championship soccer season is winding down. Meanwhile, the college athletic seasons are well underway, including Arizona State and Grand Canyon.

Here are the news and events happening around Arizona sports:

Phoenix Rising FC wins home finale, closer to playoffs

Charlie Dennis' right-footed shot, off an assist from Darius Johnson in the 11th minute, was all Phoenix Rising FC needed to earn a 1-0 win over San Antonio FC on Saturday, Oct. 18 in the home regular season finale for the club.

Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky earned a clean sheet in the win.

“It was a good game from our side,” midfielder Noble Okello said. “It was a playoff atmosphere today and I think everyone was ready from minute 1 to minute 96.”

Rakovsky has now kept five clean sheets in regular-season play and will look to make it six when the club ends the regular season in Pittsburgh on Oct. 25.

Rising FC (9-12-8) needs a win next weekend to assure itself a USL playoff spot. A win with some help from El Paso Locomotive FC, and the club could finish in the top four and host a playoff match at Phoenix Rising Stadium.

A draw also ensures the postseason, but Rising would finish out of the top four in the Western Conference and have to play on the road. A loss, however, will see the club have to rely on the results of Lexington SC and Orange County SC to learn its fate.

—Jose M. Romero

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Rising FC in USL playoff position after win in home finale