From PK heroics to international call-ups, here are some notable Rising moments from the Dog Days of Summer
Written by Emma Dinnan
Some things are synonymous with Phoenix in the summer. Hotter (scorching) days, an ocassional monsoon storm and Phoenix Rising hitting the road to play a majority of its away matches in the span of two months. 2025 was no exception, with the club playing eight of 10 matches away between June 14 and August 16.
With Rising settling into a home-heavy schedule to close the regular season, there’s arguably no better time to look back at some of the club’s best moments of the summer.
Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky Saves Four Penalties In A Week
When Rising needed him, goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky stepped up to the challenge. With a save from the penalty spot in the dying moments against Las Vegas Lights FC on May 28, Rakovsky saved two crucial points for his club. Three days later, the German shot-stopper stopped three PK’s as Rising took two points from its match against rivals New Mexico United in USL Jägermeister Cup play on May 31.
“That’s why I play soccer,” Rakovsky said. “I love these moments. Technically, I have nothing to lose. (The opponent) has to score. He has the pressure on him.”
Click here to read more about Rakovsky’s saves.
Cyrus Kowall Becomes Youngest-Ever Starter For Rising
At 16 years old, forward Cyrus Kowall became the youngest player to feature in the Starting XI for Rising. A Phoenix Rising Academy product, Kowall started and played 63 minutes as Rising defeated Orange County SC 3-1 on June 7.
“We give opportunities to players when they deserve to play, but you gotta earn that right to play,” Rising Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah said. “(Kowall) earned that right. Not only because he’s young, but because he worked every day for this opportunity.”
Charlie Dennis Nets a Hat Trick
After missing a portion of the early season recovering from injury, midfielder Charlie Dennis made a statement in one of his first matches back. The Englishman finished with three goals and an assist as Rising took down Texoma FC 5-4 in USL Jägermeister Cup play on June 28. Notably, Dennis became just the second player ever to net a hat-trick in the cup competition.
“It’s great to get on the scoresheet, especially with three goals,” Dennis said following the match. “I’m going to be working even harder now to keep that up.”
Dariusz Formella reaches 10,000 Regular-Season Minutes
Forward Dariusz Formella recently surpassed 10,000 regular-season minutes played in the USL Championship. The Polish forward hit the mark against Lexington SC on July 4. With a goal and two assists in regular-season play this season, Formella has provided an important attacking outlet for Rising all season.
“We have our style,” Formella said. “We know how we want to play. Of course, every game is a little bit different, little details about every opponent. But every game, we want to dominate the game.”
Click here to read more about Formella’s season.
Rising Adds New Talent
Summer also meant the opening of another transfer window. While the club lost forward Jearl Margaritha to European side S.K. Beveren and Braxton Montgomery to college (Rutgers) it has also brought in new talent in midfielders Xian Emmers and Jean-Éric Moursou, defenders Daniel Flores and Rafael Czichos and midfielder Kelvin Arase.
“(Emmers) fits the culture where it is,” Kah said. “The boys have accepted him because he’s also been open to learn and get better.”
Kah added: “(Flores) being able to come back as an Arizona kid, that means a lot. We’re looking for him to add quality into our back line. We’re very happy to have him and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Three Players Receive International Call-Ups
Three players represented Rising at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Margaritha went to play for Curaçao, forward Damián Rivera took the field for Guatemala and Darius Johnson represented Grenada.
“We want good people and good characters here,” Kah said. “The culture we want to create here is with players that are hungry, players that want to improve themselves and players that want to move on to opportunities at the next level, right? We don’t want players just being comfortable here.”
Read more about Rising’s international call-ups here.
