JP Scearce scores Rising’s first goal of 2026 as seven players make their club debuts
Phoenix Rising found itself on the road to kick off its 2026 campaign. While midfielder JP Scearce found the back of the net in the second half, it wasn’t enough to claw back from a 2-0 deficit on the road against San Antonio FC as Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah’s side fell 2-1 at Toyota Field.
Following the match, Kah and midfielder Jean-Éric Moursou discussed the season opener, young players getting a chance in the lineup, building into the home opener and more.
HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH
His thoughts on the match…
“We came out okay. Giving away a goal in the first five minutes is always a downer, but I didn’t see (the players) quit mentally. But the momentum we had in the second half we should have made count. We had three or four good opportunities to score and did not.”
On Anthony Capetillo picking up his first start…
“I think he did alright. He did what we expected of him and needed from him. For me, it’s for him to continue his growth. We believe in him and know he’s going to have a bright future.”
On the players who made their Rising debuts…
“I thought they were solid. (Adrián) Pelayo gave us everything he had, and Diego (Gómez) came in well as well. Jaethan (Irwin), coming off the bench and Charlie (Dennis) doing what he does which is being creative and creating opportunities. We looked good and we have to keep fighting. We have a home opener and we’re looking forward to that.”
MIDFIELDER JEAN-ÉRIC MOURSOU
On the beginning of another season…
“It was terrific. Now we need to come back for our next match when we’re at home to give our best for the fans.”
On building going forward…
“Tonight was the first match of the season. Now we need to go to work again to give our best for the next match. We need to learn from this match, our first, and take it into the rest of the season.
