Dennis scores from the penalty spot as Rising picks up its first playoff win since 2023
Phoenix Rising went to El Paso, Texas, and picked up a 1-0 win to kick off its 2025 playoff campaign against El Paso Locomotive FC on November 1 at Southwest University Park. Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah, midfielder JP Scearce and midfielder Charlie Dennis spoke with traveling media members about the playoff victory, having several supporters make the trip and more.
HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH
His thoughts on the match…
“It was a mature performance. We started the game good, we had control of the ball, but I don’t think we attacked the spaces very well. In the second half we became more vertical, still controlling the game on the ball. We should have gotten two or three more goals in there after going a man up, I think that’s where we could have had better control of the game. But I’m super proud of the boys. Like I said at the beginning of the season, we have a process, we trust the process and we keep going. It’s not done yet, but we keep going.”
On playing the same starting XI a second week in a row…
“We know what this group is capable of. I know what the individuals are capable of. The players want to play, but they know the most important part is the collective. I love when my players are disappointed, wanting to play, because that shows the heart and desire that they want to. For me, I’ll always appreciate that.
You look at players like Noble (Okello) and Rémi (Cabral) who have started all season, but look what they came in and did for the team today. That is important. They played all season. They took us this far. For them to show that hunger, that desire, is remarkable. This is a collective win for our players, but also for our incredible fans. We had an awesome contingent of fans who traveled along the way that greeted us at the hotel. Without them, also, this would be impossible.”
On what has made the team different over the last month…
“I don’t think it has been that different. We have always been the same. But again, when the time is to rise to the occasion, (the players) did. That’s the most important thing you can have, because when you’re going to the destination it’s about the journey. The journey is going to have ups and downs, but you need to stay even keeled, staying who you are and doing it. We saw that today.”
On playing FC Tulsa next weekend…
“Today it’s very important that the club, players and fans enjoy it. Tomorrow we will regroup about Tulsa. For us, it doesn’t matter. We go again.”
MIDFIELDER JP SCEARCE
On how it feels to win…
“We’re very happy, very content. We did what we wanted to, which is win the match. I think we controlled the game well, we played our game and stuck to what we wanted to do. Now we head to Tulsa.”
On El Paso’s red card, and going up a man, changed the match…
“I think it did (change the match). There was a change in how we played after that play. We were up a man and were less pressured. We had more control of the ball and we were more calm moving it around and finding the spaces. Once the goal game with the penalty, we just had to defend.”
On having a large group of supporters make the trip to El Paso for the match…
“It was special for us, because it’s a six, seven-hour trip to get (to El Paso). To have their support… They have been behind us all season long and we’re very grateful.”
MIDFIELDER CHARLIE DENNIS
On his thoughts on the match…
“I’m just happy to win, to be honest. That’s the most important thing. The performance was pretty good as well, so we can be pleased with that, to keep a clean sheet. We have a lot we can take into the next round.”
On his late-match penalty…
“Obviously, Rémi (Cabral) and I are the penalty takers. I felt confident, we practiced (penalties) throughout the week and I knew what I wanted to do. I was confident taking a penalty, and that’s how you have to go into it, full of confidence.”
On the interaction with the away fans (while getting booed from the sidelines during the interview)…
“That’s what you live for. When you get to this level, when you’re a kid, you want to be playing in packed out stadiums. I always like to feed off the energy. It’s all good in the end.”
On playing FC Tulsa in the Western Conference Semifinals…
“You’re going to play tough teams in the playoffs. (FC Tulsa) won the Western Conference, so we know what they’re capable of, but we’re in a good run of form right now and we also play well away from home and we’re confident going there.”
On the difference in the team over the last month…
“We have been more of a unit. Defensively, we have not given up chances and we’re also scoring at the other end. It speaks volumes to the players because it was a team effort tonight.”
On the away fans who made the trip to El Paso…
“It’s massive. We’re playing for the city. Phoenix is a massive club. For those who aren’t here, watching on TV, we appreciate that support. We’re going to need it again next week.”
