PHNX Rising Football Podcast

From bad, to worse, to… maybe not as bad, but still not making progress? It’s been a dismal stretch for Phoenix Rising, with losses to El Paso, Oakland and New Mexico stacking up. Now, Pa-Modou Kah’s side is on the brink. Three games left. 9 points will probably get them in, but 7 could be a coin flip. And if they lose this weekend? Results elsewhere could knock Rising out as early as Saturday. So...

11 points out of 15. It’s safe to say that Phoenix Rising is finding its rhythm, at least as far as results are concerned. Yet Pa-Modou Kah’s side can’t quite get themselves above the playoff line. Will that change this week? Damian Rivera and Kelvin Arase look to be back in contention, while Dominique Badji and Juan David Torres are players that could kee making a difference as the season progres...

All change, please. That’s been the theme for Phoenix Rising over the past week as move after move has taken place. Coming in? Ascel Essengue returns to the team after a loan spell in 2025 from LA Galaxy. But after Juan David Torres’ arrival a week prior, he’s the only new addition to this squad, albeit with players such as Damian Rivera and Kelvin Arase returning from injury. But going out? Gilbe...

Things are never short of drama at Phoenix Rising FC.   After struggling for much of the season, Rising picked up four points out of six against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and Sacramento Republic, with Ihsan Sacko hitting form once again to help keep Pa-Modou Kah’s side within touching distance of the USL Championship playoffs. Now, with Juan David Torres rumored to be joining the club,...

Three games unbeaten, but two of them are draws, and Phoenix Rising remains outside of the USL Championship playoff places. Now, Pa-Modou Kah’s side will look to turn it around against Lexington SC, a team that Phoenix struggled with last season. Can Ihsan Sacko, Gunnar Studenhofft and Dominique Badji step it up, or will it be a longer wait to see Rising climb above the line once again? JOIN THE S...

It’s been a while coming, but finally, Phoenix Rising has delivered.   Dominique Badji found his first goal for the club early, and with Kelvin Arase and an own goal forced by new signing Conrad Ambursley, Rising managed to overcome JP Scearce’s own miscue to win the match 3-2. Now, can they build on it to cement their playoff push as they face Hartford Athletic in another USL Championship home ma...

Fun? What is fun. On Saturday night, as Phoenix Rising returned to league action, it was a calamitous defeat for the Arizonan side despite taking an early lead through Gunnar Studenhofft. Colorado Springs managed to put three goals past Patrick Rakovsky as Pa-Modou Kah’s men slipped outside of the playoff places with a lengthier injury list that now includes Aleksandar Vukovic and Collin Smith. Pl...

Three losses and a draw - not the form you want. But that’s the form that Phoenix Rising is going into a mental health break. Last match, Rising fell after a seven-goal second half that saw Oakland Roots triumph 4-3 at 38th & Washington, with goals from Ihsan Sacko, Diego Gomez and Kelvin Arase not enough to earn any share of the spoils for the hosts.   Now, Pa-Modou Kah’s side is on an extended b...

After a weak showing in midweek which head coach Pa-Modou Kah called simply “not good enough,” Phoenix Rising managed to rescue a draw in El Paso after falling behind.   Damian Rivera’s substitute appearance led to a pinpoint cross to JP Scearce, who duly headed in at the far post to secure the point for Phoenix.   Now, the team has one game left - against Oakland - before settling in for a mental...

It was ugly last weekend, but with that many rotations for a USL Cup game, are we really surprised? New Mexico beat a youthful Phoenix Rising side with ease, ending the latter’s USL Cup hopes. Now, they face a busy week with Louisville City rolling into town and then El Paso and Cristo Fernandez on the weekend. Can Pa-Modou Kah’s side get it done? Meanwhile, the World Cup is about to kick-off. Who...

Ihsan Sacko has been lethal from the penalty spot this season, and he was once again for Phoenix Rising at home against Sacramento Republic.   Two goals from the mark lifted Rising up to a 2-0 victory to bounce back from the club’s struggles in Tampa Bay, with Phoenix ending the night in 4th place in the Western Conference table.   Next up is New Mexico United: a familiar foe, and one that Rising...

Phoenix Rising has climbed to tenth in the USL Championship power rankings as Pa-Modou Kah’s side is finally finding its rhythm.   Last weekend, Eziah Ramirez found his first professional goal as the squad won 2-1 against Orange County in a pivotal USL Cup clash. Now, with players like Damian Rivera returning from injury, can this squad cause damage against a tough foe in St Petersburg, as they ta...

Gilberto Rivera in, but is Darius Johnson on the move to the San Jose Earthquakes?   Moves are being made at Phoenix Rising, and what impact will that have on a squad that’s already suffering with availability issues?   Plus, Pa-Modou Kah’s squad gets set now for a Prinx Tires Cup match against Danny Stone’s Orange County. Who will come out on top?   Join Owain Evans and Rees Goodall to discuss.  ...

Three times has been the charm for Phoenix Rising in the past two weeks as the club recorded two successive league 3-0 wins.   Ihsan Sacko has found form with two goals in each of the matches, while also making Team of the Week on both occasions for Pa-Modou Kah’s side. Charle Dennis and JP Scearce chippped in with the others.   While the two league fixtures against New Mexico United and Miami FC...

It’s been grim. Really grim.   Five league games, and still no wins for Phoenix Rising in USL Championship play as Pa-Modou Kah’s squad looks for its first victory. With Juan Carvajal and Rafael Czichos out, Rising fell 2-0 away to Sacramento Republic last weekend, with Gunnar Studenhofft and Ihsan Sacko failing to make the desired impact on the match.   Next up is New Mexico United, with former R...

Through three USL Championship games, Phoenix Rising is still in search of their first victory of the season. Maintaining many themes from last season, including slow starts to games and defensive mistakes, Rising looks to break that trend with an away bout in Oklahoma against FC Tulsa.   Join Max Simpson and Rees Goodall as they can discuss how Rising can finally enter the win column.   0:00 - In...

There were chances, but Phoenix Rising couldn’t make them count. With Chiduru Odunze starting in net, Adrian Pelayo in the midfield and young Tony Capetillo making their first start for the club, Rising couldn’t avoid taking an opening match loss away to San Antonio. Although JP Scearce brought one back from the spot, and Charlie Dennis added energy after the break, Phoenix lost 2-1 on the night....

The season is finally about to start. Or is it? Pa-Modou Kah’s Phoenix Rising side should be heading to San Antonio, showing off new signings such as Juan Carvajal, Luke Biasi and Diego Gomez. But just days out from the start of the USL Championship season, there is still no movement on a collective bargaining agreement. Earlier today, USLPA executive director Connor Tobin refused to rule out stri...

The new kits are finally here, as new faces including Gunnar Studenhofft, Aleksandar Vukovic and Chituru Odunze showed off Phoenix Rising's 2026 threads in an intrasquad friendly.   The older squad players, led by assistant coach Darnell King, went on to win 2-0 in the match. However, the main headline was winger Damian Rivera being removed in the first half due to injury.   So how is progress com...

It’s been a long wait, but Phoenix Rising fans finally got their first look at the 2026 squad in a 1-0 friendly loss to Las Vegas. New center-forwards Juan Carvajal and Gunnar Studenhofft both put in a half each, while other signings such as Luke Biasi and Aleksander Vukovic made appearances alongside familiar faces like Patrick Rakovsky, Hope Avayevu and JP Scearce. Join Owain Evans and Rees Good...

Charlie Dennis? Hope Avayevu? JP Scearce? Who is your 2025 Player of the Year? Find out tonight as we reveal the winners of all of our PHNX Rising Awards.   Plus, join the boys to recap all the latest news on Rising’s roster announcements and the USL Championship Playoff final between Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Tulsa.   An ALLCITY Network Production   SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/ph...

Jearl Margaritha. Carlos Harvey. Carl Sainté. All three played for Phoenix Rising over the last few years, but now, all three will grace a far bigger stage. Curaçao, Panama and Haiti all avoided potential trouble in the final matchday of CONCACAF qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, and will now take on the best in the sport. Join Owain Evans and Rees Goodall for the latest updates on international...

After having their season ending on its final kick of the game in last week’s loss to FC Tulsa, Phoenix Rising now look to building ahead of the 2026 season. Over the last few years, Rising's roster has seen incredible turnover year after year. Will this offseason be any different? Join Mac Simpson and Rees Goodall to discuss.   An ALLCITY Network Production   SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube: https://bit...

JOIN THE SUPPORTERS CLUB ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/yc6km2r4 In a scrappy match that featured two of the most in-form defenses in the USL Championship, Phoenix Rising were eliminated from the USL Championship Playoffs. With penalties seemingly looming, Tulsa snatched victory on the last kick of the match courtesy of FC Tulsa’s Stefan Lukic. Join Owain Evans, Max Simpson, and Rees Goodall as they bring...

JOIN THE SUPPORTERS CLUB ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/yc6km2r4 One team down, another awaits. Pa-Madou Kah’s Phoenix Rising team saw off El Paso thanks to a Charlie Dennis spot kick, but next up is the top seed in the West. FC Tulsa has been flying this year, and just recorded a first home playoff win in club history. But can Jean-Eric Moursou, Pape Mar Boye and Patrick Rakovsky hold off Taylor Calheira...