PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising FC announced on Tuesday the club had signed midfielder JP Scearce ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season, bringing the former Union Omaha standout into the club after four seasons in USL League One. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Scearce was named to the 2023 USL League One All-League First Team in October after helping Omaha earn its second League One Players’ Shield in club history. Scearce scored six goals and two assists last season while winning 230 duels, 154 recoveries, completing 94 long passes, 63 clearances and creating 25 chances.

A former standout at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, Scearce joined Omaha for its inaugural season in 2020 and made 98 league appearances for the club, scoring 16 goals and six assists.

“I’m super excited to be back home, close to family and friends,” said Scearce. “There has always been a lot of hype around the club with Drogba, Omar Bravo and Shaun Wright-Phillips coming in from the start in 2017. I’ve always had the desire to play for Phoenix. They have been one of the top clubs in the championship since they came into the league. I believe I will fit in well. I’m a very hard worker on both sides of the ball. I like to get up into the attack and get on the end of crosses, but I pride myself on my defensive work and helping to earn shutouts.

“I had a long and positive conversation with [Rising FC Head Coach] Juan [Guerra] back in September. What stood out to me was there will be 22 starters on this team, no favorites, everyone always competing for a spot in the 18. From what I saw of the returning players, it is a good core with a good number of midfielders. It is going to be a competitive group, which is great for a team that wants to be the best in the league.”

Analysis

JP Scearce’s return to his home state for the club he watched as a youngster seems the ideal fit for a midfielder who was among League One’s best over the past two seasons. Voted to the League One All-League First Team each of the past two seasons, the soon-to-be 27-year-old grew into his role with Los Buhos with the past two campaigns showing his progression. In 2023, Scearce recorded career-highs with 48 interceptions and 154 recoveries while winning 42 tackles at a 71.2 percent success rate.

Per American Soccer Analysis’s metrics, Scearce has been the best defensive midfielder in League One by a handy margin over the past two seasons, posting a combined +11.37 Goals Added mark. His step into the Championship – and for the defending title holders, no less – will be one to monitor in the coming campaign.