Rising Stays on the Road to Take on Rival New Mexico
Rising is still chasing three points after falling to Oakland Roots last weekend. There have been plenty of opportunities to capitalize, as Rising has been the dominant team in recent matches despite the result. Phoenix controlled nearly 70% of possession, outshot Oakland 12-10 and recorded 43 penalty-area entries to Oakland’s 10. Rising will look to bring that form to Albuquerque this weekend for a rivalry match.
“It’s about playing until the whistle is blown,” Kah said. “There’s only four games that we have to be going in for do or die. It’s that simple.”
GAMEDAY INFORMATION –
WHAT: Phoenix Rising at New Mexico United
WHEN: Sunday, October 4 (3:00 p.m. PT)
WHERE: Isotopes Park (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
HOW TO WATCH: AZFS (3TV), ESPN+, VIX (Spanish), Rising Radio (English)
CHASING ALL THREE
Saturday’s match continues the eighth season of the rivalry between Phoenix and New Mexico, which dates back to 2019. Rising holds a 7-4-2 advantage in the all-time series and will meet New Mexico for the third time this season. Phoenix opened the season series with a 3-0 regular season win in April before the sides met again in the Prinx Tires USL Cup.
“With only four games left and 12 points to go, we still have the same mentality and are more ready for any game because every game is just going to be harder,” Boye said. “It’s just going to have a good mindset going through the game.”
FIGHTING UNTIL THE END
With four games remaining, Rising’s playoff push will come down to the final stretch of the season. Phoenix is currently five points outside the playoff line, with San Antonio FC holding eighth place, while three of Rising’s final four opponents are currently in playoff position.
New Mexico and Sacramento are tied at 43 points, followed by Tulsa at 41, Lexington at 40, and Orange County and Colorado Springs at 39. With the standings tightly packed, Rising will have to continue fighting for points through the final whistle of the season.
“This is a league that you can win from eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two and one… that’s the beauty of the sport in North America,” Kah said. “You know, it’s about catching the momentum at the right time and right now it’s there for us to catch it.”
NEAR THE TOP IN NEW MEXICO
Rising heads to New Mexico on Saturday to face a side currently sitting second in the Western Conference at 12-7-7 with 43 points. With a win against Rising, the team would clinch a postseason spot. New Mexico has been strong at home this season with a 7-3-3 record, but enters the matchup winless in its last five at 0-2-3. The team is coming off a 1-0 loss to Tulsa and has scored 39 goals this season, with Greg Hurst leading the attack with 10 goals, followed by Niall Reid-Stephen with six.
“It’s a derby game, you have to show up and you’re not only playing for yourself, you’re playing for the fans, you’re playing for the badge of the club, the commitment to yourself, the commitment you have to your teammates, the commitment that you have to the club, that’s what it’s about,” Kah said.
