Phoenix welcomed the Colorado Spring Switchbacks in a crucial must win match for both sides on Saturday night.
Rising sat eighth in Group West while Colorado sat in ninth, only one point behind Phoenix.
With the fact that the top eight teams of each group go into the playoffs, it made the game that much more important.
Rising hadn’t won a single game in August while Colorado, despite coming off a loss to Orange County, had won two games prior.
Colorado was the defending USL Champions, having won the whole thing after defeating Rhode Island 3-0 in the final.
“Until they’re dethrone, they’re the champions,” Rising head coach Pa-Modou Kah said. “I think we took our opportunities but again, we got to continue.”
It didn’t help that Colorado had a game in hand over Phoenix, meaning a loss could determine the team’s fate come the end of the season.
Rising defender Daniel Flores, whom they acquired via loan, made the starting lineup, marking his home debut.
“It means a lot for him to come back,” Kah said. “He’s from Arizona. He plays with pride, and you see his quality shine. Proud player, calm defender, plays to win so, we’re very happy.”
Even then, Rising brought in forward Kelvin Arase on a permanent deal after selling forward Jearl Margaritha to S.K. Beveren a few weeks prior.
Arase would be on the bench for his first ever game in the USL Championship.
“He’s a good player,” Rising forward Ihsan Sacko said regarding Arase. “He can help us a lot for the rest of the season. He can create a lot for us.”
Rising was looking for a win to increase their playoff chances and possibly gain momentum.
“What you want as a club and what you want for our players is that they see this as an opportunity,” Kah said. “We still could’ve taken more, that is just me being greedy for them- it’s a great win. We got to sustain it, maintain it, and improve.”
As soon as the whistle blew, Colorado dominated, forcing corner after corner, looking for a chance to score.
However, just five minutes in—it was Phoenix who broke the deadlock.
Sacko took a shot on goal, which was deflected by Colorado goalie Adam Beaudry, but forward Remi Cabral was in the right place at the right time as he slotted it home.
Phoenix took the early lead, and quickly. It was their chance to make a statement win, and Rising seemed to have gotten the memo, in the 11th minute, they made it two.
Sacko received the ball after a switch before passing it to defender Pierce Rizzo, who placed it perfectly into the top right.
Rising put on the gas, and they weren’t letting up.
“I think we came out strong,” Kah said. “We had the two goals, grabbed them early on but then we made it 2-1 and we responded 3-1. I think we came out the second half good- thing I’m most proud of we pushed back. They sustained the pressure.”
Even then, Colorado wouldn’t take it lying down, as in the 17th minute, the Switchbacks pushed numbers up top and after some clever passes, midfielder Zachary Zandi struck it into the top right, making it a one goal game.
Colorado and Rising both switched to a more possession-based game, but Colorado was willing to counter and use Rising’s numbers against them.
In the 27th minute however, Phoenix re-took a two-goal lead.
After a mistake by Colorado, forward Damian Rivera dribbled past three defenders before crossing it to Cabral.
Cabral struck it with power, and once again, Beaudry deflected it, this time into the path of midfielder Hope Avayevu, who delivered.
It was goals galore as Rising led 3-1.
In the 33rd minute, Rivera nearly made it 4-1 for Rising, but Beaudry kept it out.
Colorado brought pressure, desperately trying to get a goal, but Rising would keep them from scoring, as heading into the second half, it was 3-1 Rising.
Rising would sub off Cabral for Charlie Dennis.
“Charlie is a player who’s going to give you goals and assists,” Kah said. “Savvy player, whether he’s on the ball and he’s thinking ‘I want to create for my team’ he’s a creator. He’s versatile enough.”
Even though Rising was in a comfortable position, they couldn’t lose it now as Colorado added lots of pressure to try and scratch their way back into the contest.
Rising prioritized putting pressure when Colorado had the ball, then dropped into a possession-based game when they were on the ball.
Colorado would get a free kick in the 55th minute, and while it was well struck, Rising goalie Peter Rakovsky kept it out.
Colorado ramped up the pressure, but Rising buckled down, embracing it before sending long balls to the forwards.
In the 61st minute, Rivera would come off for Xian Emmers.
Phoenix was in no hurry to keep possession or waste time, looking to give Colorado as little time to mount a comeback.
Rising subbed on Ryan Flood and Arase for Flores and Noble Okello.
This would mark Arase’s first appearance for Phoenix Rising.
In the 78th minute, Rising would score a fourth and kill the game.
Dennis sent a low ball which found Flood, and even though Beaudry got a touch on it, it ended up in the back of the net.
Flood and his teammates celebrated, but more impressively, Kah celebrated with his staff, and the fans behind him roared with joy. And with that, came the players.
Multiple players, including Flood, went over to Kah afterwards to celebrate a sure-fired victory.
“We have a great connection,” Kah said regarding him and his team. “For us it’s about making an environment where they can be themselves and perform at their best by being themselves. Us as coaches- I know myself, I’m very demanding, very intense. I’m happy that we won but I know, and they know that in my mind, I’m thinking about the next game.”
Arase would get multiple chances to make it five for Phoenix but would fail to convert.
In the end though, the scoreline spoke for itself, a dominating 4-1 home win over the defending champions.
“The quality is there,” Kah said. “They know I’m intense but if you look at the progress, it’s been there, and it’s still there. Every single day they will come in to give everything that they have until the last drop. As a coach, I cannot ask for more. That’s why I say ‘Trust the process’ the believe we have in our quality and our club, is what we deliver. For me, we don’t stop. This is the beginning, let’s continue.”
Phoenix Rising will play El Paso Locomotive at home on Saturday.
