PHX Reporter

Phoenix Rising FC, an American Professional soccer team based in Phoenix, has signed five students from the Phoenix Rising Academy to USL Academy Contracts, which allow the student to train and compete professionally while maintaining their college eligibility. 

The five students include goalkeeper Skylar Odle, defender Christopher Grote, midfielders Cameron Kobey and Logan Veloria, and forward Zachary Smuck.

Grote was previously a student at Hamilton High School. Veloria is a current student at Arcadia High school, and Kobey attends Arizona College Prep. 

Rising also signed local students Isaiah Kaakoush, JP Scearce, Jose Andres Hernandez, and Ryan Flood to the team. 

“Each of these players has earned this opportunity through solid performances in the academy environment,” Rising head coach Danny Stone said. “This is important in merging our youth system and the professional side of the club. These players that have earned the opportunity to work with the first team are not only high-level players. They aid in what we’re able to do in first team training.

The students are able to training with Rising during the offseason after the USL Competition Committee passed an initiative which allows clubs to have two players under the age of 18 in the gameday roster which are not included towards the total 18 player squad.