Rising and El Paso combine to score six goals in yet another high-scoring matchup
Forwards Ihsan Sacko and Darius Johnson found the back of the net, while defender Daniel Flores and forward Kelvin Arase picked up their first goal contributions in Phoenix as Rising played to a 3-3 draw against El Paso Locomotive FC on August 30. Following the match Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and forward Darius Johnson spoke with media members about the high-scoring result, new goal contributors and bouncing back against Las Vegas Lights FC on September 5.
HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH
On his thoughts on the match…
“We started decent in the first half, then after we got pinned back we suffered a bit. Then we rode it out, which was good to see. We went back on the front foot in the second half, got two great goals and then committed critical errors that allowed (El Paso) to get back into the game.”
On adjusting the strategy once down to 10 men…
“You always want to push the line forward, but it’s a natural reaction (when you’re down a man) to sit deeper. I think we pressured well. They were down to only crosses. The second and third goal are avoidable, but it’s all hindsight. To draw from up three goals is painful for (the players) as well as for the coaches. But we have a game on Friday, so we cannot let it linger.”
On the performance of forward Kelvin Arase…
“His performance was very good. He worked his socks off, held the ball up, provided assists. You cannot ask for more from a player who just came to us. He’s going to be very important to us.”
FORWARD DARIUS JOHNSON
On his thoughts on the match…
“It’s a tough one to take. Being 3-0 up and drawing 3-3 is a hard one. But it’s good to see we’re creating opportunities. We’re a scoring team and exciting going forward. It was just unlucky we received the red card that took our momentum away, because with 11 men on the pitch we finish that game out and even score more goals. It’s bittersweet, but good to take going into Friday against Las Vegas. We were looking sharp going forward and defensively strong until the red card.”
On going for more goals versus sitting back when up 3-0, but down a man…
“Sometimes you can get comfortable being 3-0 or 3-1 up, but then the red card came pretty soon after that. It was tough to keep pushing against 11 men when you are 10, you have to sit back and invite a little bit of pressure and take it on.”
On his goal…
“I (scored that type of goal) a few times in the past. When I see the opportunity, I put my head down and go for it. I know I have it in me. I’m happy to score always, especially in front of the home fans. I enjoyed that goal.”
