Postgame Quotes

Noble Okello, Pa-Modou Kah discuss another clean sheet, the team’s playoff pursuit and more

Phoenix Rising closed its 2025 home slate with a 1-0 victory against San Antonio FC on October 18 at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and midfielder Noble Okello spoke with local media members about not allowing a goal in the club’s last 180 minutes of play, staying focused for next weekend’s match in Pittsburgh and more.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

His thoughts on the match…
“I think it was a great team performance again, and a very mature performance. The boys worked their socks off. I challenged them regarding making it a game against them versus themselves, and they responded very well to it. And you know, we have one foot in (the playoffs), but we are not satisfied. We got to keep going, because there’s another game.”

His thoughts about the development within the group…
“We’re not done yet, but obviously, from where we started to where we are now, again, it’s process that we built with the boys. What you need in that process is adversity, resilience and character. (The players) have shown it from day one, and they keep showing it constantly. The technical staff, the players, the whole club, we hold ourselves to a high standard and hold each other accountable and challenge each other. That will help us grow in the process. That’s why we are where we are now.”

MIDFIELDER NOBLE OKELLO

His thoughs on the match…
“It was a good game from our side. It was like a playoff atmosphere today. I think everyone was ready from minute one to minute 96 today.”

On keeping another clean sheet
“Its coming close to the end of the year now, pushing for the playoffs, and every point matters right now for us to try and push for a home stand here. Hopefully we can do that. But you know, at the end of the day, it’s playoffs coming up so we just want to make sure that we cn be defensively strong.”

On looking forward to next weekend and beyond…
“I think right now we’re focused on the present. Being focused on pushing for playoffs and trying to find ways to win, trying to find the right balance in how we attack and how we try to build up. I think right now we’re just trying to focus our best to get over the line here and get to the playoffs and hopefully get a playoff game here at home.”

Rising secures fifth road victory of regular season as Collin Smith, Charlie Dennis find the back of the net

Phoenix Rising secured a crucial win in its push for the playoffs Friday night, taking a 2-0 win over North Carolina FC at WakeMed Soccer Park. Following the match, defender Daniel Flores and Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah discussed the victory, building off the result, maintaining intensity and more.

Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah

His thoughts on the match…
“It was a fantastic performance from the boys. They put the shift in, they put in everything they got and I was very proud of them. It was truly a grind mentality and every single one of them gave everything that they have.”

On the importance of this type of performance with the playoffs looming…
“I think it has been building up. Obviously, we have had slow starts, but we have come back. I think the performance has been building up, especially after last week. To respond like this shows the character of this group, the grit it has and its never say die mentality.”

On building off the win…
“We just have to keep stacking the days. Making sure our preparation is right, making sure the accountability we have upheld all season is there and making sure (the players) give their max effort every day.”

Phoenix Rising Defender Daniel Flores

Overall thought on the match…
“It was a pretty intense match with the travel across the country. I think we managed it well and played well as a team. We trained well throughout the whole week, we knew what we had to do and we came out here and made it happen. We’re happy to get the three points.”

On keeping a clean sheet…
“It means a lot for the whole team. It’s always good to keep the ball out of the net and defend the whole 95 minutes. The defense starts from the forward all the way to the goalkeeper, so we all defended well and that’s how we got the zero at the back.”

On building off the result…
“I think since the last game against New Mexico we have been gaining good momentum. We know what we’re fighting for, the group is in a good place right now and we’re looking forward to the next two games.”

Jean-Éric Moursou makes his first start as Rising closed out its three-match home stand

Phoenix Rising’s defense held for 90-plus minutes, but couldn’t overcome a last-minute penalty kick as the club fell to New Mexico United 1-0 on October 4 at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Following the match, Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and defender Rafael Czichos spoke with local media about the match, an improved intensity and the recent play of recent acquisition Jean-Éric Moursou.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

His thoughts on the match…
“It was a great performance from the boys. They were magnificent. They worked both sides of the ball, very organized… It was a proper playoff game, and we had two opportunities where we could have done better. First, the one breakaway in the first half, and the second one with (Ihsan) Sacko… Unfortunately, we didn’t take them.”

On playing the team’s biggest rival…
“The boys knew and understand what was at stake, and I think they did very well. I was very proud of them, in the performance. How we started the game, how we stayed in the game, and how we played the game with a full intensity. Football is just about little moments.”

On not letting the big picture impact daily routines…
“You always stay in the moment. There’s no use in looking at what others do. We’ve got to keep focused on ourselves, we’ve got to keep trusting in the process, because we can only control what we can control. We cannot control all the teams or the outcomes… Tomorrow, we have 24 hours of disappointment. Monday, we get back to work.”

On Jean-Éric Moursou’s first start…
“He was unbelievable. He’s very good with anticipation, very good on the ball, moving the play well, and he’s going to get better from here. I was very happy with his performance, I think it was a great performance, given the circumstances also being in a derby game, it’s not easy. But for him to step in and look like he’s been there from the get-go, that makes me very proud. And I’m looking forward to seeing more of those performances from him, because he has it.”

Defender Rafael Czichos

Overall thought on the match…
“It’s tough. It was not a very beautiful game for the people in the stadium, but it was our rival who came to Phoenix, and I think they’ve been playing a pretty good season. We knew it was going to be a tough game, and we wanted to rise the intensity compared to the last few weeks, and I think that’s what we did today— we were fighting.”

On the debut of Moursou…
“He’s exactly the player we need in this situation. We just talked about being aggressive and playing with high intensity, and this is what he does all the time, every day. When you watch our practice and when you see him every day on the field, this guy is always (plays) like 120%, and it hurts to play against him… He was very important for us today.”

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.”

Rising extends unbeaten run to six thanks to late equalizer

Phoenix Rising picked up yet another result as defender Carl Sainté scored 11 minutes into second-half stoppage time to help Rising complete a two-goal comeback to draw Loudoun United FC 2-2 on September 20 at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Following the match, Sainté and Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah spoke with reporters about another comeback, returning home and more.

HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH

On his thoughts on the match…
“It was a very poor first half. We got punched in the face, and we allowed ourselves to get punched in the face. We didn’t do well enough, but again, fantastic reaction to come back (and) tie the game. To get a draw out of it though, that’s not good enough.”

On the team’s second comeback in a row…
“It takes strength, takes mentality, takes belief, and (the players) showed it. But I know that there’s so much more within this group, and their quality and force is very important… It’s about time we start taking charge of the game.”

On getting the most out of his players…
“You talk with them, work with them, that’s the beauty of our sport. Nobody said it was going to be easy, and I don’t like it easy, I like challenges. And I can’t blame the players because they’re giving everything that we are asking (from) them, and to come back again, that is a good thing. You didn’t lose, which is something that you want to turn into victories, because that will help more.”

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 that little bit of desire… 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.”

DEFENDER CARL SAINTÉ

Overall thought on the match…
“I thought our first half we started very slow, which is something we have struggled with a lot lately. I felt like the way we approached the game for the second half and the way we approached for the first half are completely different teams and different mentalities. But we have also been in situations where we know we must win. At the end of the day, we must keep our heads up because our next goal is to make it to the playoffs.”

On scoring his first goal with Rising…
“It’s a great feeling. For me, especially, coming back from the national team. I still have a lot to learn but being able to score at the last minute… it’s a team performance, it’s not only me. I feel like all the boys deserve the credit.”

On the mentality of the locker room going into the half…
“I feel like we are all the leaders because at the end of the day, it’s a team. We are all respectful of one another but at the same time we try to tell the truth. I feel like the way we approached (tonight’s) game wasn’t the best but we just have to take the point and move on so we can focus on our next game.”

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.”