On Friday night Phoenix Rising defeated El Paso Locomotive 2-0. 

Prior to tonight’s matchup, Phoenix Rising has struggled. They were embarrassed in a 5-1 loss to Memphis 901, and then lost 2-1 to San Antonio. They also fired head coach Danny Stone following the loss to Memphis 901, and Interim head coach Diego Gomez has stepped into the role. 

Rising also transferred Erickson Gallardo to Liga FUTVE’s Carabobo FC. Since moving on from Gallardo, Rising has signed midfielder Charlie Dennis, Damien Barker John on loan from Real Monarchs, and signed Jamison Ping to a USL academy contract. 

Rising fans would be left in a panic in the 3rd minute when Rocco Rios Novo was caught way out of the box on a counter attack after a missed Rising free kick. 

Just before half, Rising midfielder JP Scearce would score their first goal on a beautifully placed free kick ball in the box from Renzo Zambrano. 

“It was exciting to get my first goal here, at home in front of the fans and in front of my home—in front of my family. Just happy that we got the win in the end,” said Scearce after the game.

At the half Phoenix lead in possession with 55% to 45%. Despite being up one at the half, Rising still struggled in the first half with poor first touches and several instances of miscommunication. 

Rising nearly had a goal in the 70th minute but El Paso’s goalkeeper Jahmali Waite made an incredibly timed stop to prevent a possible 2-0 lead. 

Mar Boye would score on a similar play in the 87th minute, putting the stadium in celebration mode as drinks went flying and the red chalk lit up the air.

Interim head coach Diego Gomez would earn his first win at home when Rising went on to defeat El Paso 2-0. 

After the game, Gomez spoke about getting his first win at home saying, “It’s the first, so it feels special because it’s at home. It feels special because I think we were coming from a little bit of time that we didn’t get the three points, so that made it feel more special,” said Gomez after his first home win as interim head coach. 

Phoenix will be back at 38th st/Washington on August 10 to play Tampa Bay Rowdies.