Phoenix Rising fires head coach Danny Stone after devastating defeat

The team’s announcement on Saturday came a day after the club suffered a 5-1 loss away at Memphis 901 FC. That loss came after two consecutive draws in which the Rising scored just one goal in total between those two games.

Stone was named head coach last January after former head coach Juan Guerra left the team to join Major League Soccer team Houston Dynamo as an assistant coach. Guerra led the Rising to the USL Championship title last season, with Stone as assistant coach. Stone has been with the club since 2021.

“Danny Stone has been a dedicated and influential part of the club over the past three years,” Phoenix Rising president Bobby Dulle said in the statement announcing the team’s parting of the ways with the coach.

“His dedication and contributions, from his work with our youth teams to his time as head coach, have been invaluable. He was instrumental in winning the championship last fall and we want to thank him for his professionalism and unwavering dedication. On behalf of our owners, management and fans, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Danny for his efforts and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”