Rising welcomed Loudon United in a game with high stakes Saturday night. 

Loudon were coming off a 5-2 loss to San Antonio, while Rising a 2-2 draw to Sacramento. 

Loudon sat third in Group East, looking to inch closer to a playoff clinch, while Rising was fighting for a safety cushion in a tight Group West. 

Phoenix had three draws in a row and were looking to snap that against Loudon. 

“We definitely have to win,” Rising midfielder Carl-Fred Sainte said. 

“We have to win. Take one point at home, we still have to keep our heads up because our goal is to make it to the playoffs.” 

While both teams were patient, Loudon found the opener. 

Nine minutes in, Loudon broke the deadlock after a low cross was swung in, where Loudon midfielder Florian Valot sent it past Rising goalkeeper Peter Rakovsky. 

Phoenix got to work after the goal, and fast, trying to find the equalizer, but Loudon didn’t slack off as they switched to a more defensive shape. 

Loudon controlled the pace of the game with possession from the back, while also counter attacking when Rising brought too many numbers up. 

Despite that, Rising found chances through their wingers but were unable to finish. 

In the 31st minute, Rising midfielder Hope Avayevu sent a shot just wide of the post. 

It felt like a goal coming. 

Rising pushed Loudon to the brink but were unable to score. 

In the dying minutes of stoppage time, it got worse for Phoenix. 

Rising had a set piece, but Loudon read it perfectly and pushed numbers forward—in the end, Loudon midfielder Ben Mines made it two. 

“First half we started very slow,” Sainte said. “Lately I feel like the way we approach the game for the first half, and second half is two completely different teams and mentalities.” 

Heading into the half, Rising were down 2-0. 

“Very poor first half,” Rising head coach Pa Modou-Kah said. “We got punched in the face but fantastic reaction to come back. This game is about your own mentality. Your will and your desire should be driving you, not other people.” 

Rising subbed on Xian Emmers and Daniel Flores for Noble Okello and Emil Cuello. 

Phoenix tried to make chances, but Loudon’s pressure was proving to be too much, and even when they did break through, they struggled to finish. 

Phoenix brought on Charlie Dennis for Remi Cabral, looking for a goal. 

With only 20 minutes left to go, the comeback needed to begin as soon as possible. 

In the 80th minute, Rising got the much-needed goal. 

After the ball bounced around in the box, Rising forward Charlie Dennis took a shot, where it was deflected, and even though it was listed as an own goal by Loudon defender Yanis Leerman, the game was on, as it became a one goal game. 

“It takes strength,” Kah said. “It takes mentality, it takes belief, but I know there’s so much more within this group.” 

The game was on, and Rising were looking to salvage a point. 

Seven minutes were added to stoppage time. Loudon looked to hold onto their lead, while Rising looked to equalize. 

In the 100th minute, Rising received one final chance in the form of a corner. 

Dennis crossed it in, and Sainte headered it past Loudon goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux to level the game. 

Rising made it 2-2 at the death, and the stadium came to life, cheering from shock, happiness, disbelief. 

“It’s a great feeling,” Sainte said. “It’s a great feeling for me, especially coming back from the national team. I still have a lot to learn but it’s a team performance, it’s not only me, all the boys deserved it.” 

The ref blew the whistle shortly after, and while Phoenix was pleased with the point, it was clear Kah wanted more. 

“This is a point you take,” Kah said. “But we’re not satisfied. I’m not satisfied, the club is not satisfied, the coaches aren’t satisfied, the players aren’t satisfied.” 

Phoenix Rising to play the Oakland Roots at home on Saturday.