Phoenix Rising FC has signed defender Mohamed Traore, pending league and federation approval, the club announced today.
“Rising is a great team and I loved being part of the team last season,” said Traore. “It’s a very good group of guys that had a great season and really made me feel like Phoenix was the right place for me. We’re young. We still have room to grow. The coaching staff is very good at helping us reach our full potential.”
Traore, 21, signed with Rising, on loan from LAFC, on February 28, 2022. The young defender peaked at the perfect time of the 2023 season, starting the final 13 matches, including Phoenix’s four-game playoff run to secure its first USL Championship.
“At the beginning of the season,” added Traore. “It was kind of rough, maybe some injuries or inconsistent play got in the way but with the help of the coaches and my teammates, I found my confidence. I know I can do my job well. Towards the end of the year, like everyone else, I was just focusing on bringing my A game every time I stepped on the field.”
Traore earned Team of the Week honors in Week 27 and 28. He finished the season with two assists, one of which came in the 90th minute of the final, in 20 league appearances. Defensively, Traore had 65 clearances and won 31 tackles, both of which ranked third-most on the team despite playing just 1,300 minutes.
“During the final,” said Traore. “From beginning to end, everything – the mentality, how we prepared, the way we showed up after the rough start… I looked around to my left and right and saw the faces of my teammates. They were not there to lose. That stood out to me and really made us all fight to the end. Good memories.”
Traore’s contract with LAFC expired following the 2023 season, which allowed Rising to sign the defender directly for the 2024 season.
Traore joined LAFC in August of 2020 when the MLS side used the top spot in the MLS Waiver Order to sign the defender. He appeared in one match for LAFC that season and was loaned to Las Vegas Lights for the 2021-22 seasons. Traore appeared 52 USL Championship matches for Lights FC, scoring two goals across all competitions.
Traore came to the U.S from Dakar, Senegal to attend Montverde Academy in Orlando, Florida, as a 14-year-old. A three-year honor roll student, he had seven assists, helping Montverde to a 21-4-1 record in his senior season.
Transaction: Phoenix Rising FC signs Mohamed Traore
Name: Mohamed Traore
Pronunciation: Tri-ORE-eh
Number: 5
DOB: August 15, 2002 (21)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 160
Position: Defender
Born: Dakar, Senegal
Last Club: LAFC
ROSTERED PLAYERS (17):
Goalkeeper (1): Patrick Rakovsky
Defenders (6): Eddie Munjoma, John Stenberg, Juan Carlos Azocar, Eduardo Rito, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Mo Traore
Midfielders (8): Panos Armenakas, Carlos Harvey, Jose Hernandez, Gabi Torres, Fede Varela, Renzo Zambrano, JP Scearce, Emil Cuello Forwards (2): Erickson Gallardo, Dariusz Formella
