Rising keeps fifth clean sheet in all competitions in convincing home win
Phoenix Rising remains unbeaten at home in regular season play, improving to 2-0-3 at 38th & Washington following its 2-0 win over Sacramento Republic FC on May 30 at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Following the match, head coach Pa-Modou Kah and forward Ihsan Sacko spoke about the victory, bouncing back from Tampa Bay and more.
Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah
On bouncing back…
“I think it was a great response as we spoke about the whole week. Obviously, we didn’t show who we were when we were down in Tampa, but I think the whole week the focus, the concentration was exceptional, and today I think was some of the best football we actually played with in the first half and second half. We created also opportunities to go 3-4 up, but I think overall it was a great performance from the boys. I’m very happy with the performance.”
On the defense…
“I think we did a great job. First up and second up, I think we were fading a little bit with the players that some of the players, which is natural because man to man is a tough, tough thing to do, I think. But overall, I’m very happy with how we dealt with the man-to-man. I think we needed them to maybe three or four shots. Overall, I think how we responded for me was the most important thing, coming back after the loss in Tampa, which was not our mentality coming into the game today.”
Forward Ihsan Sacko
On his thoughts on the match…
“The performance from the team as a whole was a good performance. We’re happy with the result… To be honest, yesterday I was supposed to start as a nine with Gunnar (Studdenhofft), but he changed me today (to the wing)…it’s the same thing. I love to play every position, so I just enjoy my time on the pitch.”
On representing France for the International Night…
“My feeling was, I was happy. I represent not only France, I represent my dad and my mom… I represent everybody, and I take the French flag for PSG.”
On his goal celebrations…
“The first one, I just, before the shoot, I saw (Sacramento goalkeeper Vitiello) look at me in the eyes, make eye contact with me, and make this like I’m home. And the second one, yeah, I was just thinking about, like, two weeks, three weeks ago, I wanted to dance against Miami, but I forgot.”
On bouncing back…
“Like I said, I think last week was a terrible game for us. We were sloppy. That’s why we wanted to win. I mean, I’m happy, I’m happy to see Diego (Gómez) back, because you have a lot of enjoyment, like Tico.”
