Phoenix Rising’s Academy players continue to step up in big moments

Ping joined the Academy in 2020 when he was 12 years old. Since then, the young midfielder has been in Rising’s program and was signed to a USL Academy Contract on July 19, 2024. Ping was then signed to the club in February of this year after training with Rising for a few months.

The 17-year-old has since made his debut for the club, playing his first professional minutes on March 17. In Saturday’s match against El Paso, Ping was given the captain’s armband for the first time in his professional career.

“It’s a very special thing to wear the captain’s armband at Phoenix Rising,” Ping said in a press release from the club after Saturday’s match. “… It means a lot to me as a person to wear the armband for a club I’ve played for for six years.”

Phoenix has had to bring up a few other Academy players due to injuries and call-ups. Ping said they’re a “tight” group and are always supporting each other.

“We all believe in one another,” he said. “Support one another and try to lift one another up. Pushing each other each and every day.”

First For Capetillo

Capetillo signed with Rising under a USL Academy Contract on March 7 after being in Rising’s Academy program for some time. He made his professional debut against Locomotive and described it as a “dream come true” for him to finally play.

“I have been waiting for this moment ever since I started playing soccer,” the forward said in a press release. “This wasn’t a moment just for me, but for the coaching staff, team, and my parents. For all the people [who] believed in me. It was a very special day.”

The 15-year-old quickly noticed the differences in match pace in the USL and with the Academy, describing it as “10 times faster.”

“The fans get in your head,” Capetillo said. “It’s a different environment for us, the players, and me, a 15-year-old making his debut.”

To The Next

Ping, Capetillo and Phoenix Rising will return to USL Championship action against Orange County SC on Wednesday, July 30.