Kah, Dennis discusses Rising’s come-from-behind result against Oakland Roots SC
Phoenix Rising clawed back from a three-goal deficit to earn a hard-fought point following a 3-3 draw against Oakland Roots SC on September 27 at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and forward Charlie Dennis discussed the come-from-behind result, the importance of turning one point into three going forward and more.
HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH
On his message to the team at halftime…
“I challenged (the players), and they reacted. But that should not be the norm. When you play the game of football, it starts with respecting the game, understanding that you are part of a game, you’ve been given an opportunity to do something with your talent… Are you hungry, or are you full?”
On the performance of Daniel Flores…
“We know that offensively, (Flores) can give a lot, and I was very happy with him. First of all, he was finding space, he was taking the space, he was causing a little bit of trouble. He’s from (Arizona), so it means a lot to him, the club… He was very good today, he stood up for his brother, and for me, I love players like that.”
On Charlie Dennis playing well in a starting role…
“It’s very simple, it’s either you want it or you don’t want it, and he wants it every time. Whether it’s for one minute or 90 minutes, he wants it. And this means a lot to Charlie as well. Today he walked on the pitch with his daughter. I know what it means for him (to represent Rising). Every time we call his number, he stood up, and that showcases character.”
On the desire to get off to faster starts …
“You want to start high; you want to be aggressive. It’s that switch from the inside. That desire to go and say, ‘today we’re going to make it happen.’ It’s about your own will and your own desire, to want something more than somebody else sitting next to you in the locker room or the opposition. Your will and desire should be what drives you.”
On the game-tying penalty kick from Rémi Cabral…
“(Cabral) will never shy away from those moments… He’s a guy that, wake him in his sleep and he’s ready to take the penalty… he’s been massive for us this year. He comes in and gives everything.”
MIDFIELDER CHARLIE DENNIS
His thoughts on the match…
“Disappointing to start like that… Again, we come back from three goals, which isn’t easy. It shows what we got in the locker room, the character, the fight, that we’re never going to give up.”
On getting out to faster starts…
“The only people that are going to turn the game around are the boys that are out on the pitch, so it’s up to us to take that responsibility. We’re a team, so if someone makes a mistake, it’s up to the rest of us to pick them up and get us back in the game.”
On Cabral’s equalizing penalty kick…
“When we’re both on the pitch, he’s the number one (penalty kick) taker… I’m not a player that sits there and fights him for the ball, even though it wasn’t a hat trick, it’d be nice. I haven’t missed a penalty yet and neither has he. So, it’s fair enough he got his moment, and I’m buzzing for him as well, and he probably owes me a drink now.”
