Rising came off a much-needed win against rivals New Mexico United, beating them 2-1. 

Monterey on the other hand, had gone four games in a row without a win. 

Even then, they sat third in Group West. 

The two teams met in the regular season, with Monterey Bay comfortably beating Rising 3-1. 

“We knew from the previous game how they played,” Rising midfielder John Scearce said. 

“We knew the sort of players they had but, honestly, we just focused on ourselves. Obviously, the first game against them over in Monterey, it wasn’t a great game from us, and we just had to react to that and respond, and I think we did that.” 

Rising defender Axel Essengue, a player who they had loaned from LA Galaxy, would make his home debut Saturday. 

“He’s been amazing,” said Rising head coach Pa-Modou Kah about the addition of Essengue. “That just shows what type of person he is. He’s not afraid, he was ready to jump right in. Young, hungry, ambition, he fit in with the group, and that’s who we are.” 

Rising and Kah were looking for their first home win of the season. 

Monterey Bay started off with a lot of pressure, while Rising would made chances off the counterattack. 

Monterey Bay quickly switched to a defensive approach, while Rising would add pressure, looking to capitalize off a mistake. 

Still, Monterey Bay was able to switch to a possession-based approach, allowing less chances for Phoenix. 

In the 33rd minute, Rising forward, Ihsan Sacko took a shot, but Monterey Bay goalie Nicolas Campuzano Jimenez would keep it out. 

Heading into the half, it was scoreless, but Rising was playing far better. 

While Phoenix was creating many chances; the team was just missing that final touch or pass to give them the lead. 

Even when Monterey Bay came forward, Rising was quick to stop the threat. 

“Their heart and desire,” Kah said regarding Rising’s defensive performance. “That’s two of the best things that you need to have. Sometimes, we’ve been knocked down. Injuries happen, players not ready to play, I think today was the first time that we started the same backline twice in a row. Their heart and desire, willingness to compete and what we ask of them it’s unbelievable.” 

Rising would sub on Jamison Ping and Darius Johnson for Noble Okello and Sacko. 

“I feel unbelievable for Jameo (Ping),” Rising defender Ryan Flood said. “He got his first assist as a professional so yeah, we just got to keep building off these momentums and these moments, I think they’re huge for us.” 

In the 65th minute, Rising would get that goal, but with much controversy. 

After a corner and a few deflections, the ball would rocket into the sky, giving Campuzano Jimenez the opportunity to grab it. 

However, Scearce rose above him to get the goal, while also seemingly fouling Campuzano Jimenez. 

“They were calling for a foul, I don’t think I even touched him,” Scearce said. “Obviously not how we drew up the set piece, but I saw the ball pop up and it wasn’t going out. I saw the ball go in the back of the net and ran to the corner to celebrate.” 

The goal would stand, and as Monterey Bay players rushed the referee in protest, Rising players huddled in celebration. 

“It’s not a foul because the ball is in the air,” Kah said. “The ball is in the air, it’s for everybody and he recognized it, and he went for it.” 

Regardless, it was 1-0 to Phoenix, and with 35 minutes to play, there was still time to put the game away, but also still time to give up an equalizer. 

In the 69th minute, Phoenix midfielder Carl-Fred Sainte went down with an injury, and Flood would enter as his replacement. 

Rising also subbed on Jearl Margaritha for Damian Rivera. 

Monterey Bay was sending as much pressure as possible looking for an equalizer. 

Rising wasn’t letting off on the pressure either—with fresh legs, they wanted that second goal, and they wanted it badly. 

In the 88th minute, Rising scored the second goal. 

After the ball was pinged around, Ping would find Flood, and Flood fired an absolute rocket from outside the box into the bottom right of the net. 

“I was in a lot of space,” Flood said. “Kinda just came to me, took a touch, saw the whole world open, ideal, I hit it perfect and next thing we’re all celebrating.” 

With such little time, a comeback seemed slim for Monterey Bay, but it didn’t stop them from putting pressure and making chances. 

In the end, Rising wouldn’t look back, grabbing all three points, and their first home win of the season. 

“We’ve been a little bit unlucky at playing at home,” Kah said. “Away we’ve gotten a bit of victories but it’s always great to get the monkey off your back at home, but I’m very proud of the boys, we’ve had some unlucky results at home, but they keep grinding and working.” 

“Makes us feel like we lifted a big weight off our shoulders,” Flood said. “Gave the fans what they’ve waited for all season, and as a group it brought us closer together, especially dealing with the injuries, pushing on to the next game and build off of two wins.” 

Rising also kept their first clean sheet of the season and grabbed back-to-back wins. 

Rising will play the Las Vegas Lights, May 28th at Cashman Field.