The latest midfielder to join Phoenix Rising’s squad brings with him no shortage of accolades from years past.
But when asked who he was most looking forward to lining up alongside, Arturo Rodríguez didn’t miss a beat.
“The MVP for two years in a row,” he laughs. “I’ve been hearing a lot from him, so it’s going to be good to play with him: [Solomon] Asante.”
Of course, Rodríguez is an MVP in his own right, having taken the crown as League One’s best player in 2019. At the age of 20, he won the league’s Young Player of the Year Award too.
It’s not just Solo he’s looking forward to playing with, though. Despite not yet meeting his new teammates in person, Rodríguez is already starting to settle in with the new squad.
“Everyone texted me and gave me a good welcome,” he said. “Every single person, basically in the organization, sent me a good message, saying if you need anything, just let me know. So when I saw that, I felt like this is really professional and that makes me more comfortable.”
Rodríguez is joining Rising from North Texas SC, the League One club that serves as a pipeline from FC Dallas’ academy to its first team. He says that he’s disappointed not to have had a shot at playing for the MLS side representing the city his family lives in, but accepts that’s sometimes how the game works. Instead of hanging around in Texas, his agent worked out a deal to bring him out west.
This isn’t Rodríguez’s first time in the USL Championship, though. During a loan spell in Utah last year, the midfielder made two appearances with Real Monarchs.
“The difference [between the Championship and League One] is not that much,” he said. “There’s more teams in the USL Championship, more competition physically. It’s not that much, but it’s the little points that make the difference.”
There’s no indication from the 21-year-old that he understimates the challenge of breaking into a Phoenix midfield that even veteran USL player Jack Barmby couldn’t crack.
“I’m going to go, and I’m going to try to get my place,” Rodríguez said. “I’ll work hard every day, every practice. I think it’s going to be hard, because there’s a lot of good players and good quality in the team. I need to work for that. It’s not going to be easy.”
Perhaps one thing that works in his favor is his versatility. Whether in his favored central position, or out on the left or right, Rodríguez gives a lot of options to Rising coach Rick Schantz when sending out his XI.
“I like to make something happen,” Rodríguez says, when asked about his playing style. “That’s how I play. I like to go forward always, I’m more attacking.”
That’s something that was easy to see on the field with North Texas. Over 39 games, Rodríguez picked up 11 goals and 11 assists for the club, including the only goal of the 2019 League One final.
When asked who he’d compare his playing style to, there’s a brief pause. He admits it’s not something he’d typically think about, but soon arrives at a name.
“I really like how Iniesta plays,” he says. “I think that’s my style of play.”
If he can perform anything like the Spanish star next year, Rodríguez will make a lot of friends in the stands.
“I’ve been hearing a lot about the fans,” he said. “They’re a huge crowd. They always come to the games. I know there’s a lot of people going to the stadium, so I’m excited to see that.
“I’d tell them: I’m coming to get some trophies for the team, and make some good moments during the season.”
But how many ‘good moments’ can we expect? How many times will he find the back of the net in 2021?
“That’s a hard question,” Rodríguez says, with a growing smirk on his face. “I’m not going to say anything, but I’m going to do everything in my power to do what the team needs.”