Postgame Quotes

Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa Modou-Kah:

On the mentality… 
“Well, we can’t change where we are in the rankings, but we can continue to go. We got five more games to go—or four more games to go. So, we have everything to play for.”

On Damian Rivera…
“I think his progress is going in the right direction. Obviously, you know, you hope for more and you wish for more, you know, but it’s a step-by-step with him, you know? He’s coming over a 4-5 month injury period, so we just got to continue to go with him slowly, step-by-step.”

On the fan support…
“We’re very fortunate to have passionate fans, and that’s what you want in football, you have passionate fans. And our fans are very passionate, they want the club to do well. So, the biggest thing is for us to continue and make sure that we do right by them.”

Phoenix Rising Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky…

On his thoughts on the match… 
“Tough. Unlucky to concede the goal. Until then, they didn’t have much, and we were pushing a little bit more than them. But you can see the quality of a team who is number one right now—they need one chance with a quality striker like Ruben, and he does it well. Great fight from us back. We had a decent chance from another corner where Tico kind of missed the ball, but it was a great effort from us to come back. In the second half, we were mostly in possession trying to push, but again, quality from them with the finish. The red card killed us a little bit. We still tried to push, but at the end of the day, you can see the quality difference between a team currently in first spot and a team that is not in the playoffs.”

On how you keep moving forward after the loss…
“If you look at it, it wasn’t a bad game. We’ve had worse games—looking at Lexington where we lost, that was not a good game. We can still take stuff from here. We created chances, even with a man down. We were pushing. They were really defensive in that moment, but with how we played out and brought the crosses in—we had a lot of crosses today to Dom, plus other chances with Guna—there are a lot of good things, and we’ve just got to keep building on that.”

On the positive takeaways…
“Even if it’s 3-1—that last goal, we were a man down and opening up to take that risk of conceding rather than just losing 2-1—we were dominating the ball and creating decent chances. If we are able to play like this against currently the best team in the West, we shouldn’t be scared of any other team in the West.”

Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa Modou-Kah:

On his thoughts on the match… 
“I think in the first half we were very good. We were finding the spaces and we were utilizing the spaces. Second half, I think there was a little bit of disconnect, and we were a little bit deep, we stopped playing, which is not us. I hope we could have kept a clean sheet, but again, when this time of the season, you take it.”

On the impact of JuanDavid…
“JuanDavid is a very intelligent player. He understands how to play in spaces, and I think that is very crucial for us because we want to come on the ball, and then we need people to understand him. Obviously, he’s been here for two weeks, but he integrates well with the boys, he talks with the boys, and he’s going to continue to have an effect like today, a fantastic cross. We’re very happy with him, and we just have to continue to make him and his teammates understand each other.”

On Gunnar’s responsibility to produce…
“It’s very important because that’s one of his qualities, it’s also his growth. In professional football, in a professional environment, you gradually help him. You can see that he is tenacious, hard-working, but also he will need a little bit of time, so we’re working on him, but we know that he can be dangerous at training, on the stretch, and he showed it a couple of times for us. So we’re very happy that he got the goal. It was a great strike from him. So we’re very happy with his development.”

Phoenix Rising Forward Gunnar Studenhofft:

Overall thoughts on tonights match…
“I think the team played really well. We were able to keep possession for most of the game. Second half, we were kind of sitting back, but you know, we kept the pressure on and tried to allow as few mistakes as we could so to get the win was really special.”

On the message from Pa during his substitution…
“Go in and be strong, cause problems like I do when I come on, and the chance will come, just take it. That’s what happened.”

“It was a team effort. I mean, we won it off the press. We were able to win it in their half and I guess capitalize on the loose ball and drive forward, and strong finish on the goal and my shot.”

On his mentality in front of goal…
“For my profile as a player, my job is to just cause the defender problems, be strong, be fast. I think I’ve been doing that for the whole season. The goals are coming. Being here in my first real season as a professional, I think everything is going in the right direction to help my team and do my best as a player to get back.”

Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa Modou-Kah:

On his thoughts on the match… 
“I think defense-wise we were solid, offense-wise we were sloppy on the ball. Nonetheless, you do well to take the lead, and I think the way we conceded that is tough to take, but you know you take the point and then we go home, two home games at home.”

On returning home next week…
“We wanted to build off the momentum that you have by winning today. But, you know, it is what it is, we have to win all our home games and this is an important game to start our winning streak again.”

On how he feels about Danny’s goal…
“I think he’s been very impactful since he came back from last year’s season injury surgery. And obviously, he’s been out for four months, and then for him to begin starting pace with games, and then had a little injury, but then come back and now he’s been super vital for the team. So, I’m very happy with what he’s given us and continues to give us, so he’s very important.”

Phoenix Rising Forward JuanDavid Torres:

On his first start for Rising…
“I felt very good playing. I played much more time than what we had discussed with the coaching staff, but I’m very happy to make my first start. Now, it’s just about continuing to improve and achieving the goals we want.”

On returning home next week…
“We must keep improving a few things defensively and offensively on the pitch. We need to do that this week. A very tough match against Tulsa at home is coming up, and we have our fans’ support. It’s a great opportunity for us since we have two consecutive home games—a nice chance to secure six points and put ourselves in a good position in the standings for the final remaining matches. For that, we need all the support from the fans at the stadium, and we need to do things the best way possible.”

On taking a point on the road…
“To be honest, I think the team is a bit disappointed because we deserved all three points. Although we managed to get a point away from home—which is important—I think we deserved the win. Even more so given today’s results in our conference matches, it was a good opportunity for us to move a bit higher up in the standings.”

Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa Modou-Kah:

On his thoughts on the match… 
“I think we started the game well, we conceded right after we scored…but the fight and the work, this is what we need the remainder of the season from the boys. They were fantastic and taking seven out of nine (points) for the last three games, I think that shows the character of the team.”

On his thoughts on JuanDavids debut…
“I am very happy with him. He is an exceptional player with great talent. For him to choose us, we are very happy as a club…that shows the ambition we have and I think he can continue to help us into the stretch that we’re going into and as he gains fitness as well he will be better.”

On how he feels about Danny’s goal…
“I am super happy with Danny. He works hard and works specifically with Vic on set plays.”

Phoenix Rising Forward JuanDavid Torres:

On his thoughts surrounding the environment…
“I was just eager to play, to be honest. I wanted to play and I didn’t expect a stadium like this, considering how the team has been doing and all, but the truth is that support from everyone is very important for us—that the fans keep supporting us every match, especially here at home. I’m happy to leave through the front door with a win today, and I hope to keep adding minutes and helping out in the best way possible.”

On how he felt tactically…
“Good, a bit tired because I’ve gone a while without playing – quite a long time without playing. But I’m getting back into the rhythm, and I’m ready for the next match because I know what I can do.”

On what he saw from his teammates tonight…
“Honestly, we had a lot of responsibility to play well today. Every match, I think all the matches from today until next Saturday are against direct rivals. It’s important to stay right there to stay close to the playoffs, which is where we want to be and where Phoenix deserves to be.”

Phoenix Rising Forward Dominique Badji:

On his thoughts on the match… 
“It was okay. We’ll take the win. We need three points. But the way we closed out the game isn’t great. We gave them too many chances. But to get two goals is great for confidence, but we still need to work on getting them off the scoreboard.”

On his confidence…
“It’s very important. In my position, it’s all that matters is goals. We love to say, “Yeah, you can work hard and be a team player,” which is great, but at the end of the day, I need to score goals. So for my confidence, I needed that one, and hopefully I can build on to it.”

On the message from Pa…
“I think his basic message to everybody was just to fight. We haven’t been winning enough second balls and that shows in our game, and it shows that we’re not on the front foot. And so being in positions to win the second ball has really helped us have confidence and control the game like we did in the first half.”

Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa Modou-Kah:
On his thoughts on the match… 
“I think it was a very good fight, a very good comeback. Obviously, we gave away two goals and for me, I think where we are in the season, these are things that we have to rectify quickly, because those little individual errors we can take away. But overall, I think the fight, the comeback, and tie, and still had the opportunity to win, I think was brilliant from the boys.”

On earning results from the last two games…
“Well, I think today was a very important point that can be important for us in our playoff race. We’re still three points behind where we need to be, and we’ve just got to keep going. We have a home game coming up at Indy, so we’re looking forward to that game. So it’s just keeping up the work that we’re doing and, you know, hopefully get a win.”

On the message going into tonight’s match…
“Tonight’s match was fight. The message was fight for every inch, fight for six quarters. I think we did that. Obviously, like I said, two individual errors which could have been avoided, but that’s also part of football. But I commend my players, and I’m very proud of how they came back and fought and, you know, tied the game. And I thought Sacko’s two goals were unbelievable finishes, great pass from Diego, but the fight brought us back into the game and that’s what we’ve got to keep going for the rest of the season.”

Phoenix Rising Defender Tate Schmitt…
On his first goal contribution for Rising…
“It means a lot to be back wearing a Phoenix Rising jersey…playing for the state, playing for this team and organization. I was blessed and honored to be able to help contribute today in the game. Get a good, hard fought point on the road, and we’re just continuing to build in the right direction and continue improving so we can push to the playoffs and then make a run.”

On returning home to play Indy…
“Another big opportunity and taking steps in the right direction of not losing but then also putting on performances that are going to help us prepare for the post season. It’s another opportunity for us to play at home in front of our fans and keep putting in performances that will bring people out to our stadium.”

Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa Modou-Kah:

On his thoughts on the match… 
“I think it was a well deserved victory. Obviously you don’t want to give away a goal and we gave up a goal at the end of the first half but I think we took our chances and I think today was  a hard fought victory and sometimes that’s what you need to kickstart your playoff race.”

On the difference between tonight and previous matches…
“You can look at everything, football is a strange sport. It’s about finding your momentum and I think today, we were a united group that understood what is needed for the club and the desire to fight for the club. I’m always so proud of my players.”

On substitution decisions…
“It’s very important to have the experience and the guidance that those two have. Rafa getting minutes after a long period of injuries, Tate, a local boy with ties here and he did a great job stabilizing the team, Pelayo did good in the midfield and we got JP there so we were solid in the midfield.”

Phoenix Rising Forward Ihsan Sacko…

On his thoughts on the match… 
“It was a good job from the team, we stepped up together defensively and on the attack too, so the hero tonight is the team because we did it all together.”

On chasing the golden boot…
“I was chasing it when I was at nine, and I put my mind to just play my game every game and what’s going to happen is going to happen. But two goals is nothing so I am excited about that.”

On what went right tonight…
“The desire from the team. We did a lot of video and watched our body language and tonight we tried to fix that this game because we know that when we are together we can fix that and get points.”

On the team’s confidence going forward…
“I mean, when you win a game. Everybody’s happy and we want more after that. And I don’t know how we’re ranked right now, but we have a goal to be in the playoffs at the end of the season and that’s what we want. That’s the desire we have.”

Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa Modou-Kah:

On his thoughts on the match… 

“We didn’t create enough chances. It was very, very disappointing. I think it’s important that we look at ourselves before we look at what we are doing. I’ll be the first one to look at myself to see where and what I could do better. Also, I think that it is very important that when we think about who we are and who we want to be as Phoenix Rising.”

On preparation going into the next home match

“We as a coaching staff are going to approach it as rectifying a bunch of stuff from demands because this is not good enough, this position is not where we want to be. It’s just not good enough.”

On mentality going into two game week…

“We have to go get points. We are in a position that is not Phoenix Rising worthy. That’s not the position that we want to be in. But also, it’s a time that as coaches and players, we roll up our sleeves and fight – it’s never done until it’s finished.”

“We still have a chance and as a coach, I never think of anything besides that. We’re going to achieve our objective that we set, as crazy as we sound, I still think that we’re going to achieve them. We’re going to continue to work hard and push everybody.”

Phoenix Rising Forward Conrad Ambursley…

On his thoughts on the match… 

“It was just unfortunate. I feel like we had a good game plan that we wanted to execute.”

On emotions around first start in a Rising uniform…

“It was a good moment for me and my family, obviously I would’ve liked for the game to go a bit better and get a better result but the beauty of it is that we get to go again so we are looking forward to our next one.”

On going into a two game week…

“Pick up points. We know that we’ve got the talent and the mentality within the group to go win those two games and get six points out of it so that’s the aim for us.”

On the upcoming approach and preparation…

“Definitely be prepared. We’re excited to see the fans and get some well deserved rest and mentally reset ourselves to go fight again.”

Phoenix Rising Head Coach Pa Modou-Kah:

On his thoughts on the match… 

“We got down early. I think it’s a cross, not a shot. But again, I commend my players for the fighting spirit. You know the will not to give up. I think we also had okay, decent chances that we could have maybe done something. But overall, one one was a fair result.”

On the ball in the final third…

“We didn’t occupy the necessary spaces we needed to occupy, and we got the goal for being in the right position, which was that we wanted to have Hope and Dom beside the one six. We saw the goal come off of it, but also we saw other opportunities which could have been dangerous.” 

On Gunnar Studenhofft’s substitution…

“Number one, he is on a yellow but he also started to fade out. We thought with Conrad being fresher blood and having Charlie, then Dom can stay higher up and Charlie and Hope can occupy the spaces. We can get Conrad in the wide areas where he could be dominant.” 

Phoenix Rising Defender Daniel Flores…

On his thoughts on the match… 

“I think it was a good game by us. Unfortunate result, but I think we were really close. We got into the final third a lot. We just didn’t get it behind the net, but the team looked good. We get past this game and we focus on the next one.”

On focusing the play on Daniel’s side of the field…

“We knew that I was going to have a lot of space and we saw it in the first half. I had plenty of space. I know I could have had a shot on goal. I decided last minute to try to cross finish the goal but other than that I had a lot of space and I loved receiving the ball with time so I could get that early cross into our teammates.” 

On the three game unbeaten streak…

“I think this is part of football. It’s part of the game. We just have to remain calm and patient because you know we haven’t lost, but we’re there. We just got to remain together and remain confident that the season is about to end. We’re confident in each other that we’re going to get into the playoff spot.” 

Phoenix Rising Assistant Coach Vikram Virk:

On his thoughts on the match… 

“Obvously a little bit frustrated to not come away with three points. I think we created enough chances but we have got to be a bit better in our final third and execute to finish off our chances. If we finish off our chances, it’s a different story for sure.”

On what was missing…

“I think we need to be a bit more cutting edge at times into the final third with a little bit more quality as well. If we just take care of a couple of things and score a goal, I think we can definitely start punishing teams when we have the chance.”

On the return of Charlie Dennis…

“We have lots of different options. We have different threats and Charlie is a set piece threat. He is a guy that can shoot from distance and unlock a defense with a pass, so following his right movement and introducing him back, we think he can make a difference for sure.”

On Conrad Ambursley…

“Similar to last week, he is direct, he is exciting. You saw him on both wings today and obviously he is a bit more effective on the right but he is putting in some really good crosses and positive signs as we continue to grow.”

Phoenix Rising Defender JP Scearce…

On his thoughts on the match… 

“A bit frustrating with the result. I think we were by far the better team today and we just couldn’t put them away, should’ve got three points instead we lose three points and only come out with one which is frustrating to not get the result.”

On what was missing…

“I think we lacked a bit of quality in the final third and played their game – they wanted to slow the game down and at times we were just too slow with the tempo of the game and didn’t put our chances away when we had clear opportunities to capitalize on.”

Phoenix Rising Assistant Coach Vikram Virk:

On his thoughts on the match… 

“I think it was a really good start to the game where we didn’t take some of our chances and maybe kept Monterey in the game with an unfortunate goal but again, great response to go 2-1 down and we showed what we’ve shown before…we will fight for 90 minutes.”

On the comeback…

“Just keep going. Obviously we know the errors that we made tonight but the goals are easily preventable. We just try to stay positive and try to keep encouraging and playing the way we are and keep pushing forward. We want to attack, we want to give the fans something to cheer about so just keep pushing.”

On team overall…

“This is exciting. Not just the starters, but you saw what we had coming off the bench today. I think it’s been a long time since we could say that so it’s exciting. Hopefully we can continue that and keep our momentum.”

On Conrad Ambursley…

“I think the fans can see what he’s all about. He’s young, he’s fearless, he wants to take players one-on-one from his left or from his right. It’s really exciting to watch him play.”

Phoenix Rising Forward Conrad Ambursley…

On his thoughts on the match… 

“I’m just really happy that the team got the win. I felt like we dominated the whole game but I was just happy that Kelvin got his goal to get us back in the game.”

On the overall message from Pa…

“Pa knew that we were in control. He is obviously seeing that the team is moving really well and becoming more hands off so he just kept encouraging us to keep going until the end.”

On his role tonight…

“Pa just wants us to all go out and do our thing and be really expressive. My performance might’ve been immediately but everyone does it in training every day. We go out there, we’re direct and really explosive and that leads to us getting the game winning goal.”