Rising hosted rivals New Mexico United on Saturday at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium.
New Mexico was coming off a win against Orange County, while Rising was coming off a 2-0 defeat to Sacramento.
Rising were one of two winless teams remaining in Group West but were looking to snap it against New Mexico.
Even then, Rising suffered a big blow, as forward Juan Carvajal suffered season-ending knee surgery during practice during the week.
Even though Rising still had options up top, New Mexico was not going to make the game any easier, and due to the rivalry, things would likely heat up.
Rising began by pressuring New Mexico, which has been there go-to style in the beginning of the campaign, and it paid off quickly as Rising were rewarded a penalty after a New Mexico player committed a foul in the box.
“Our press, everything has been good,” Rising head coach Pa-Modou Kah said. “Maybe we have not been rewarded. That’s something that we, as coaches, look at. I cannot neglect the work that they’re doing. That’s the most important thing.”
Phoenix’s Ihsan Sacko went up against goalkeeper Kristopher Shakes with the chance to give Phoenix the lead.
Sacko shot left, and Shakes went right as the ball ended up in the back of the net, giving Rising a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
“We know what Sacko can bring,” Kah said. “He’s also been playing multiple positions, that’s how versatile he is and this performance for him, he’s been hitting another gear.”
Rising continued to press and use the wings, looking to swing a corner or two into the box.
In the 25th minute, Sacko was through on goal, but Maliek Howell fouled him, leading to a yellow card, but Rising players were adamant on a red card due to Howell being the last man.
No red was shown, and while Rising did get a solid look from the foul, they couldn’t convert.
Rising continued to pressure New Mexico, leaving little breathing room for New Mexico, which led to a lot of frustration as fouls became common.
In the 32nd minute, Phoenix’s Darius Johnson went on a run after a solid pass before being brought down in the box after a late challenge.
The referee pointed to the spot again, and this time JP Scearce was the taker.
Scearce shot right, but Shakes read through it, saving the penalty to keep it 1-0.
The save seemingly gave New Mexico confidence, as they began to create chances late in the first half, while Rising looked to give themselves a cushion.
Despite both teams making chances, it remained 1-0 entering the second half.
Entering the second half, New Mexico started well, creating chances and getting shots off.
Rising adapted quickly, switching to a more defensive approach to avoid giving up the equalizer.
Rising continued to make chances, but the team was clearly more focused on the defensive side of the ball.
“This is football,” Kah said. “And football is a process. And things happen over time. For me, the one thing I’m proud of is seeing these boys come into work and put their best into it, and today we got rewarded for the work we’ve been doing.”
New Mexico got a free kick in the 60th minute in a good spot, but Rising goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky grabbed it mid-air before trying to spark a counterattack.
“Whenever we have a lead, we just have to be smart,” Scearce said. “We’ve had situations where we’re leading games and we give up the lead; we just have to play it safe.”
Rising got a golden chance in the 65th minute, as after Shakes made a save, it forced a scramble, but Rising just couldn’t find the second goal, as the game stayed 1-0.
In the 71st minute, New Mexico made their own chance before the ball seemingly hit a Rising defender’s hand in the box, but no penalty was given.
Rising went on the counter while New Mexico staff and players were screaming for hand ball, and after the play was dead, the players rushed to the referee in protest, and New Mexico’s assistant coach was shown a red card.
Four minutes later, Phoenix forced an error from New Mexico in the final-third, before Scearce shot it low from distance, putting it in the bottom left corner, with no chance for Shakes to save it.
It was 2-0 to Phoenix, and Scearce had seemingly gotten his goal after the missed penalty.
“I think it was probably our best performance of the season,” Scearce said. “We needed a reaction after the poor start we’ve had, and we did just that. We were on the front foot in the first half, in the second half. Hopefully we can build off of this.”
With just 14 minutes left, Rising were looking to play it safe and grab their first win of the season.
New Mexico began throwing themselves at Rising, looking to salvage a point, while the Rising were happy to waste time.
In the 82nd minute, Rising put the game to bed.
Rising again forced an error from New Mexico in the final-third, and Shakes wasn’t in his position as Sacko rounded him, and despite the tight angle, Sacko made it 3-0 for Rising as he grabbed his second of the game.
“Great 90-minute performance,” Kah said. “We knew it was brewing, and to do it in a derby, it makes it even sweeter. The way they played, I’m very proud of this.”
With only eight minutes left and stoppage time, Rising were just looking to finish the game.
In the end, Phoenix never looked back, winning 3-0 over their rivals, alongside grabbing their first win of the season.
“It makes it sweeter,” Kah said regarding the win. “Especially in a derby but now it’s ‘Can we maintain that? Can we keep that in mind?’ but today we got to enjoy it because of the work they’ve been put through. Overall, I’m very proud.”
Phoenix Rising will visit the San Jose Earthquakes in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday at PayPal Park.
