Postgame Quotes

Rising score twice in the second half to earn a point in Sacramento

Phoenix Rising scored two unanswered goals in the second half, rallying to earn a 2-2 draw against Sacramento Republic FC on September 13 at Heart Health Park. Forwards Ihsan Sacko and Rémi Cabral found the back of the net as Rising picked up a fifth straight result.

Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and midfielder Hope Avayevu spoke about the comeback, building momentum late in the season and more.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

On his thoughts on the match…
“(Sacramento) played Wednesday and were looking to get a goal in the first half. I thought we dealt with the moments really well. (GK Patrick Rakovsky) had two good saves to keep us in the game after the first five minutes, but after that (Sacramento) didn’t really have anything. We really shot ourselves in the foot by giving two poor defensive errors that led to the goals. But I thought the game evened out. We had a couple of moments, but they weren’t as dangerous.

In the second half you saw the mentality, discipline and work ethic that changed the game. I thought there was more for us to get from the game, but the will and desire not to lose is something I have to commend the players for. They have done it time after time and that’s a strength. It’s a strength to come back when you’re down 2-0 in a tough place like Sacramento, but you could see we had an opportunity to win the game.”

On what he hopes to see from the team in the final weeks of the regular season…
“It’s always crunch time, and crunch time is the best thing you have. It’s working and doing the right things, but also focusing on the little details which can win you a game or lose you a game. Today there were two moments where we weren’t sharp which cost us two goals that we have to rectify. Now is when the points are most valuable, so now we have to make sure our focus is spot-on every day. When we do that, we know we’re a tough team to beat.”

PHOENIX RISING MIDFIELDER HOPE AVAYEVU

On what the comeback result says about the team…
“This has been something that we have been building since the beginning of the season. The mentality of the team has been there, and this is the time of the season where it has been strong enough for us to win games. This is a good way to come back, and we’ll take a point away.”

On his on-field relationship with Ihsan Sacko…
“(The relationship) has been there since the beginning of the season. We’re continuing to work together to make sure we can continue to help the team. You first have to be able to have a connection with the attackers up top to be able to connect with them to score goals.”

On maintaining momentum returning home…
“It has been five games, but only one win. We have to start winning games rather than tie to have this unbeaten streak.”

Rising keep clean sheet, pick up another point at home as stretch run approaches

Phoenix Rising picked up a third consecutive result at home, keeping a clean sheet en route to a 0-0 draw at home against Las Vegas Lights FC. Following the match, Rising Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky discussed the defensive effort, defender Rafael Czichos’ leadership and more.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

On his thoughts on the match… 
“I think we were very sharp the first 30 minutes, with a couple of opportunities that we could have got; then the game became stale. Not enough speed of play today. The positive is you kept a clean sheet. It was great to see (Rakovsky) bounce back and keep us in the game, because that was an incredible save (late in the match).”

On failing to score against Vegas…
“For the last two games, we put in seven (goals). If Hope (Avayevu) put that opportunity that he played a one-two with, maybe that changes the outcome of the game. But it was a 0-0 game. When you look at the overall picture of the game, we had more possession, but it was not that we created unbelievable opportunities.” 

On playing shorthanded tonight… 
“I would love to see how many times we have actually played with the same lineup twice in the full season we’ve had. But when you look at the other side of it, (the absences) have created opportunities for everybody, and we’ve seen players play that normally may not have gotten minutes, which is a fantastic thing to have.”

GOALKEEPER PATRICK RAKOVSKY

On his thoughts on the match…
“I think the first 20-30 minutes we were pretty good. I feel we were pushing, we had good chances, just the final pass was missing. (Vegas) had some set pieces, some counter attacks, I think we dealt with it really well.”

On New Addition Rafael Czichos…
“(Czichos) has been great. Obviously, he’s really experienced in a lot of games from Germany and here. He’s definitely what we expect and what we need in the back. Also, he’s a leader on the field and off the field. We’re just excited that he’s here now.”

On Entering the Final Stretch of the Season…
“We have two East Coast games, but we still also have a lot of home games, so we definitely want to win every one. But it’s nice that we didn’t have to travel (the last several weeks). We were definitely happy to be home and wanted to have nine points and not five. I feel like we are ready for the final stretch.”

Rising and El Paso combine to score six goals in yet another high-scoring matchup

Forwards Ihsan Sacko and Darius Johnson found the back of the net, while defender Daniel Flores and forward Kelvin Arase picked up their first goal contributions in Phoenix as Rising played to a 3-3 draw against El Paso Locomotive FC on August 30. Following the match Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and forward Darius Johnson spoke with media members about the high-scoring result, new goal contributors and bouncing back against Las Vegas Lights FC on September 5.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

On his thoughts on the match… 
“We started decent in the first half, then after we got pinned back we suffered a bit. Then we rode it out, which was good to see. We went back on the front foot in the second half, got two great goals and then committed critical errors that allowed (El Paso) to get back into the game.”

On adjusting the strategy once down to 10 men… 
“You always want to push the line forward, but it’s a natural reaction (when you’re down a man) to sit deeper. I think we pressured well. They were down to only crosses. The second and third goal are avoidable, but it’s all hindsight. To draw from up three goals is painful for (the players) as well as for the coaches. But we have a game on Friday, so we cannot let it linger.”

On the performance of forward Kelvin Arase… 
“His performance was very good. He worked his socks off, held the ball up, provided assists. You cannot ask for more from a player who just came to us. He’s going to be very important to us.”

FORWARD DARIUS JOHNSON

On his thoughts on the match…
“It’s a tough one to take. Being 3-0 up and drawing 3-3 is a hard one. But it’s good to see we’re creating opportunities. We’re a scoring team and exciting going forward. It was just unlucky we received the red card that took our momentum away, because with 11 men on the pitch we finish that game out and even score more goals. It’s bittersweet, but good to take going into Friday against Las Vegas. We were looking sharp going forward and defensively strong until the red card.”

On going for more goals versus sitting back when up 3-0, but down a man…
“Sometimes you can get comfortable being 3-0 or 3-1 up, but then the red card came pretty soon after that. It was tough to keep pushing against 11 men when you are 10, you have to sit back and invite a little bit of pressure and take it on.”

On his goal…
“I (scored that type of goal) a few times in the past. When I see the opportunity, I put my head down and go for it. I know I have it in me. I’m happy to score always, especially in front of the home fans. I enjoyed that goal.”

Four different Rising players find the back of the net in convincing 4-1 victory

Phoenix Rising netted three early goals en route to its largest margin of victory this season, downing Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC by a score of 4-1 on August 23 at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and forward Ihsan Sacko spoke with local media members about the result how it will propel the club going forward.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

On his thoughts on the match… 
“I thought we came out strong to get the two goals. We could have done better with the 2-1 (lead) but what I liked is, if you go back to Birmingham, they get the 2-1, it goes to 2-1 to break, but this one we responded… One of the things I’m most proud of is how we pushed back. The players sustained the pressure a little bit, and at the right moment, we turned the momentum into our game.”

On beating the reigning USL Champions…
“When you play against the champion, until they’re dethroned, they’re the champions, and you gotta give them their respect. What you want as a club, and what you want for our players, is that they see this as an opportunity for themselves. Today, I think we took our opportunities, but we still could have taken more. That is just me being greedy, but again, we got to continue. It’s not enough just having this great win… we got to sustain this, maintain it and improve.” 

On the debut of Daniel Flores…
“From day one, I’ve said it means a lot for him to come back to this club. He’s from Arizona, from Tucson, and today, I think he had around 40 people coming to watch, which is exceptional. He plays with pride, and also, you can see his quality shine. (He’s a) calm player, calm defender, plays to win… I’m very happy with what he’s bringing to the squad.”

On the team celebration following the Ryan Flood goal…
“We have a great connection. Because for us, it’s about creating an environment where players can be themselves and perform at their best. I’m very demanding, I’m very intense, I’m happy that we won, but I know and they know that in my mind, I’m thinking about next game, because I believe and know how good they are. I want them to keep going, because they have something unique in this group.

FORWARD IHSAN SACKO

On his thoughts on the match…
“I think it was a good game for us… I think we can score more goals, but unfortunately, we didn’t for the public. We have to stay focused on the little details and bring this for the next game against El Paso.”

On his chemistry with his fellow strikers…
“I mean, now it’s been like eight months we played together. I love the connection we have with Rémi (Cabral), Hope (Avayevu), (Damian Rivera), (Dariusz) Formella too, (and) Charlie (Dennis)… I love this connection, because we know we just have to look each (for) each other to make the run.”

On new signing Kelvin Arase…
“He’s a good player…he can help. He can help a lot for the next game, for the whole season… He can create a lot for us, he loves to go behind, he loves to dribble, and I think it will help us. We have to create now, for other parties, to have a better relationship. He’s from Europe, he has a good IQ, he knows how to play, he knows when you have to turn, when you have to dribble, so it will be easier for us as a striker.”

Rizzo scores first professional goal as Rising prepares for home-heavy remainder of season

Midfielder Pierce Rizzo became the youngest Rising goal scorer Saturday night, scoring the club’s lone goal as it drew Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-1 on August 16 at Al Lang Stadium. Following the match, Rizzo and Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah discussed the point won, the upcoming home-heavy slate and more.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

On his thoughts on the match…
“I’m very, very proud of my boys. They played Phoenix Rising football that we want to see. We’re supposed to win this game, but we’re moving in the right direction. Now we need to continue. We need to make the home games count. But I was very proud of the showing of the boys today.

On if anything has changed over the last few matches…
“Nothing has changed. (The players) come in, they work, they fight. We don’t change our process. When you have a bad game, which we did (against Lexington SC), we came out tonight and had a great showing.”

On the performance and goal of 18-year-old midfielder Pierce Rizzo…
“We play a young kid in an unnatural position and he’s showing what this club is about. It’s about giving opportunities and (Rizzo) took his. I’m very proud of him to be the youngest Rising player to score in a game and that is amazing.”

On getting to go home to start a big homestand…
“It’s going to be wonderful. We have had a lot of travel in June, July, August. Now we just have to continue what we’re doing and keep building. We have a lot of home games and we’re going to take advantage of those.”

MIDFIELDER PIERCE RIZZO

On how he scored his first-ever professional goal…
“I kind of took a bad touch, but I had an opening. I knew if I took an extra step to my left, the defender was going to fall and I would have an opening inside. Then I just did a little (Kylian) Mbappe, cut it in with my left and found the far post.”

On if he knew the ball was going in…
“I thought it was going to go in. I didn’t think the keeper was going to catch it, but I got hit as I hit the ball, rolled over and didn’t see it go in.”

On the celebration with his teammates…
“Everything has come fast in the last month. I knew I was going to take (the opportunity) and run with it. I know this is just the start, but I’m happy I finally got that first goal.”

On his confidence going forward…
“I’m feeling more and more confident. As a team we just need to work out little kinks, but I feel like we are on the right path to winning a lot in the future.”

Rising and Birmingham Legion took a point each from Saturday’s high-scoring affair in the Valley

Phoenix Rising and Birmingham Legion played to a 3-3 draw on August 2 at Phoenix Rising Stadium, with midfielder Charlie Dennis scoring late to help the hosts preserve a point. Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and midfielder Hope Avayevu spoke on the result, moving forward and the improvements to be made ahead of next weekend’s match in Lexington.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

General thoughts on the match…
“We were visible for the first 30 minutes. The rest of the game, we were not visible. I think we started the game very well. Got two goals, then again, very sloppy to allow (Birmingham Legion FC) to come back in the game and even get up.”

On players leaving…
“Unfortunately, you know, we are a little bit thin (in defense), but it’s not a problem. We roll with the punches of what we have. I know that Bobby and Brandon are working hard to give us the tools that we need to get through the season. But again, this is football, right? You work with what you have. Players are coming in.”

Thoughts on dropping points…
“Every point matters. and at home you don’t drop points. We have dropped too many points at home, but also we have got points from many positions, allowing things to come back. That’s not good enough, but you got to credit (Birmingham) for fighting back and coming back. Maybe we have a disallowed goal, the disallowed penalty. But again, you don’t put yourself in the situation when you are up 2-0.”

On academy kids leaving for college…
“It’s very important for these kids to get their degree and education. They know that they have opportunity here to do this pathway, and they’re doing fantastic. (Pierce Rizzo) is already committed, but you never know what happens in football, at the end of the season, and he may have decided to say, you know, so we’re always going to be up front, but I’m very happy.”

MIDFIELDER HOPE AVAYEVU

Thoughts on the match…
“Yeah, I feel like at home, a draw is a loss for us. So, yeah, I will take it like a good game for the whole team, but a disappointing game.”

On his own performance…
“I think we all came out to perform good, to help the team win. I felt like I could do more. I got a goal and two assists, but I felt like that wasn’t enough at the end, when we don’t get a win out of it. So yeah, we still need more to improve on that.”

Thoughts on losing points…
“We got a point at home, but that feels like a loss. We’re obviously gonna work hard and then come back with a victory in this game, because it’s about time we stopped losing points.”

Rising Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah shares his immediate thoughts following Rising’s defeat in Southern California

Phoenix Rising returned to USL Championship action midweek in Southern California, but couldn’t find its footing as it fell 4-1 to Orange County SC on July 30 at Championship Soccer Stadium. Following the match, Rising Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah discussed the match, tactical decisions and more.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

On his thoughts on the match…
“I think we created enough opportunities in the first half. I think we played well. But the giveaways… we let ourselves down. We did great to come back and make it 2-1, but then we make a mistake not tracking players back, (Orange County) makes it 3-1 and then from there it’s an uphill battle. We were in the game, but little mistakes cost us.”

On how he set up the midfielders for the match…
“I thought we controlled the midfield. We played well. We had opportunities to score, but we didn’t, and that’s football. You have to score.”

On the tactical adjustments made in the second half…
“We know Dariusz (Formella) is very good playing in the space. We needed a number nine who could tuck-in behind and I think it happened. We got players in and around with Darius (Johnson) and Hope (Avayevu). We just didn’t take care of our chances.”

On Ihsan Sacko’s performance off the bench…
“I thought he was brilliant. He could have had a hat-trick. He scored, but he had two other opportunities. It didn’t work, but I know he’s going to respond in the next game.”

Rising earns two points in penalties after coming back to draw El Paso in regulation

Phoenix Rising concluded its run in the Group Stage of the USL Jägermeister Cup with a third straight result in the competition, drawing El Paso Locomotive FC 2-2 after 90 minutes and winning the ensuing penalty-kick shootout 7-6 on July 19 at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas. Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and Academy midfielders Jamison Ping as well as Anthony Capetillo discussed the match, the club’s run in the competition, opportunities for young players and more.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

On his thoughts on the match…
“I thought we started the game well with the goal. The two giveaway goals were poor. Gabi (Torres), we knew he had that in his locker, and it was the second time he scored against us. The second goal was poor defending, and we should absolutely do better. It was a cross to the back post, and we weren’t picking up our players.

On the team’s success in penalty-kick situations this season…
“That’s all (goalkeeper coach) Cory Robertson. He does a fantastic job with the players, which starts with the goalies. Then the players being calm in those moments because that’s very important. You never know down the line what can happen come playoff time. To be able to be good in penalties helps you breed confidence.

On putting six academy players in the matchday lineup…
“I was very proud to see our academy players. We started with three, including the youngest captain in history for our team (Jamison Ping). That goes to show the pathway we created as a club due to the work of (PRFC Director of Coaching) Andy Chapman as well as (Assistant Coach) Darnell King and Cory. It’s very important to have that pathway into the club.”

On how he would analyze Rising’s performances in the USLC Group Stage…
“If you look at where you didn’t advance, there are two games that stick out. The first was home against San Antonio where you don’t create anything and you don’t get a shot. Then you allow a tie against New Mexico. When you look at the Group Stage overall, you look at those two games. This game today you had to win and then rely on other people. For me, I don’t like those scenarios. I would rather us do our job. You win three and maybe tie or lose once and you go through. That was our aim, we didn’t get it, but at least we just lost one game. For the confidence going into this Mental Health Break we have, that was important for the players.”  

MIDFIELDER JAMISON PING

On wearing the captain’s armband…
“It’s a very special thing to wear the captain’s armband at Phoenix Rising. I have seen so many people, like Darnell King, wear it. Obviously, it means a lot to me as a person to wear the armband for a club I’ve played for for six years, it’s very special. I give thanks to my teammates and coaches for trusting me.

On the trust his teammates and coaches have placed in him…
“It’s amazing. The coaching staff and players have helped me in many ways on and off the field, and I’m very grateful for that.

On all the young players in the lineup…
“We’re a very tight group. We all believe in one another, support one another and try to lift one another up, pushing each other each and every day.”

MIDFIELDER ANTHONY CAPETILLO

On making his professional debut…
“It’s a dream come true. I have been waiting for this moment ever since I started playing soccer. This wasn’t a moment just for me, but for the coaching staff, team, my parents. For all the people that believed in me. It was a very special day.”

On what the coaching staff told him before coming in…
“They told me this was the moment I have been waiting for. That I have been working so hard for. It’s a dream come true for me. They just told me to work hard, try to get a goal and bring it home.”

On how he found the level of the match…
“Comparing this to the youth, this was ten times faster. Ten times more physical. The fans get in your head. It’s a different environment for us, the players, and me a 15-year-old making his debut.”

On advocating to take a penalty in the shootout…
“We took (penalties) in training and I was confident. I said I wanted to take one, I wanted to bring it home. I made mine, we still got the points. It was a beautiful day.”

Kah and Dennis reacted to Rising’s first-ever match at historic Oakland Coliseum

A pair of long-range goals were enough for Phoenix Rising to turn an early deficit into a win and three points as it defeated Oakland Roots SC 2-1 on July 12 at Oakland Coliseum. Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and midfielder Charlie Dennis addressed the morale-boosting result, road success and more.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

On his thoughts on the match…
“It was an excellent response in the second half. We had a game plan that we executed a little in the first half, but we weren’t aggressive enough. Once we rectified how we wanted to play, we created chances in the second half. For me, the response was unbelievable and that’s the team that we are. Playing with intensity, hunger and drive.

Even in the first half we created opportunities. With the chance with (Margaritha), he should score. There was a little bit of sloppiness in the first half, but in the second half I thought we took control of the game and finished it wonderfully.”

On the difference Charlie Dennis made when he came on…
“(Dennis) has quality, that’s what we have said. The beauty of this team is that we know we have difference makers on the bench. We have starters and finishers. Today Charlie was a finisher, which was fantastic and a credit to him. He came into the game, did his job and was wonderful on offense and defense. Also, the game meant a lot to him, coming back here and wanting to win. We saw him changing the game for us, which was vital and important for us.”

On deciding where to play Dennis on the field…
“We said from the beginning that we know (Dennis) can play midfield. Having players that are versatile and ale to play in different roles is very important. Today, (Dennis) showed that by coming in and doing his job. We’re happy with that and it’s what we want. We want to create players who can come in and play so many different positions.”

On how he views games with so many controversial moments…
“That’s part of football. Is it something that you want and hope for? No. But, again, we’re in that part of the season where it’s hard for a lot of players. But our players are fit and they showed it tonight. We got a little bit injured, but I know the boys are going to come back, so I have no worries.”

On playing at the Oakland Coliseum for the first time…
“I think it’s beautiful. I told the boys that this is where you want to play football. That’s what’s important for the league. To have stadiums like this. To have fans like their fans and our fans. That is important for the growth of the league, you need that, and when you can play in this type of stadium… As an ex-player I was smiling when I came out. It was excellent. The sun was shining, great atmosphere, music. We want to continue to be the gold standard of this league in Phoenix, but to come here and play was fantastic.”

Midfielder Charlie Dennis

On the result…
“I’m buzzing to win. Up Phoenix, let’s keep pushing up the table. This moment was important. We didn’t win last week, so to turn it around and come win away from home was massive.”

On his preferred role…
“I came (to Phoenix) as a midfielder, so I know that role pretty well. It was just the case of doing my bit for the team, giving my 100% and making sure I was focused to win.”

On his goal…
“(Oakland) expected me to play the ball wide, but I knew I wanted to get it back on my left foot. That’s where I’m confident, so that’s what I did.”

Rising reach the midway point of the season 5-5-5, in fifth place in the West and five points out of first

Phoenix Rising returned home for the first time in a month Friday night, but struggled to turn possession into dangerous chances as it fell 1-0 to Lexington SC on July 4 at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and defender Carl Sainté discussed the match, reaching the midway point of the season and more.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

General thoughts on the match…
“It was a missed opportunity. When you don’t do enough, you don’t deserve to win, it’s as simple as that. I would say we came out sharp out of the block, both teams, to be fair. You know, (Lexington SC) had one shot on goal. We should have done better with the ball. Sometimes in football, these things happen in terms of you not taking the opportunities that are in front of you, and it’s painful, but we got to learn and move on. We are far better than what we showed. We have to offer intensity, you know, and fight more.”

On being halfway through the season…
“Obviously, you know, there have been some missed opportunities. Like they say, it hurts more when you beat yourself, which we did today. But we live and we learn from it, and there’s another 15 more games to play, so there’s a lot of points to be won. But are we where we need to be? Obviously, we always aim high, but we also know that coming into this second part of the season is where we need to pick up the most points, at home as well.”

Thoughts on Xian Emmers starting in the midfield…
“I think his performance was good. He was very busy, which is good to see, but we know what he can create. We understand that he is in an adjustment period, you know, getting adjusted to the league and adjusted to his teammates, getting adjusted to the environment. But so far, what we’ve seen, he’s looking lively, and we’re very happy with what he’s shown. And we know that he’s got two more games in it, so he’s going to continue to be good for us.”

Defender Carl Sainté

Overall thoughts on the match…
“It was a really tough game. I feel like we can manage the ball a little bit better, and I feel like we kind of gave (Lexington) momentum. We didn’t play the way we’re supposed to play. I felt like we deserved to win this game because, I think overall, we’re a better team.”

On the struggle to create chances…
“I feel like the problem was that it was really hard to find the balance. I feel like we need more movement from the front. I know how hard it is, but I feel like we can manage that better. It’s just a game that has already passed. We have to focus on the next one.”

On defending Forster Ajago…
“I feel like we have a big expectation for him, because I know how good he is, but I feel like me and Essengue, we have a good relationship. I mean, it doesn’t matter what I’m playing with, on the back, but I feel like being able to speak French with him makes everything easier.”