r/PhoenixRisingFC • u/Skyzorz • 2d ago
Postgame: Head Coach Pa | 08.23.25
Auto-generated cleaned transcript:
Interviewer: Part of our thoughts on the win?
Pa-Modou Kah: I think we came out strong, got the two goals, and um could have done better with the 2–1. But what I liked is if you go back to Birmingham, they get the 2–1, it goes to 2–1 at the break. But this one, we responded, go 3–1, and then we go into the half. I think we came out second half good, but then one of the things that I’m most proud of is we get pushed back but you know, they sustain the pressure a little bit, and at the right moment we turn the momentum into our game. I think we had multiple opportunities to go even four or three, like with Damian’s chances first half, Hope, Arase, you know, so we should have finished those chances. But again, I’m very proud of the boys because of the work that they put in. You know, it’s a long season and it’s never easy, but we keep finding ways and I’m very happy where they are.
Interviewer: You spoke earlier in the season about how until the season’s over, Colorado Springs — they’re the champions. So to come out, welcome them, beat them 4–1 at your own home, not only is that a statement win for you and the boys, but do you think now this could be the beginning of a run?
Kah: Obviously, you hope that, especially when you play against the champion — until they’re dethroned, they’re the champions, and you’ve got to give them their respect. They’re a good team, you know, they want to play football. I think it was an entertaining game from both teams. What you want as a club and what you want for our players is that they see this as an opportunity for themselves. Today, I think we took our opportunities, but we still could have taken more — that’s just me being greedy for them. But again, as you said, that was a great win. But again, we got to continue. It’s not enough just having this great win and then next game let ourselves down. Like I say, we got to sustain this, maintain it, and improve.
Interviewer: You spoke briefly about Flores making his home debut here for Rising. What did you see from him?
Kah: From day one I’ve said Danny, it means a lot for him to come back to this club. He’s from Arizona, from Tucson, and today I think he had around 40 people coming to watch, which is exceptional. He plays with pride and also you see his quality shine, come out — calm player, calm defender, plays to win. A lot of times this season when people bypass us, we let them. No, he’s like, “I’m taking the yellow card,” but still plays a very calm game. So I’m very happy with what he’s bringing to the squad.
Interviewer: Any update on why he had to come off, and same with Carl?
Kah: No, Carl I think was the shoulder, so that was good. Danny is more also, you know, he was in preseason and we’re in the middle of the season, so you’re always going to have that little bit behind. But he’s a professional player that we know will give us all for those minutes. He did it well. And his replacement with Ryan — you know, finished the goal and I was very happy for him, and he played well as well.
Interviewer: To start the second half you had Charlie on the right wing. We’ve seen that throughout the season at times — Xian playing on the left, even if not for huge lengths of time. What was the thinking behind putting those two players, who have played a lot in central roles in their careers, in those wider spaces?
Kah: I keep saying that about Charlie. Charlie’s a player who’s going to give you goals and assists. He’s a savvy player when he’s on the ball, and in his mind he’s always thinking, “I want to create for the team.” He’s a creator. We know him coming inside can cause a lot of trouble because not only his size but his vision and his awareness in the play. He’s versatile enough to play multiple positions. We knew Arase couldn’t go the full 45 or 30 minutes, so it was to keep Xian out wide knowing we could bring him in around the 71st minute. Then we could push Xian into midfield, seeing that Noble was on a yellow and also coming back from injury — it’s just to keep building his fitness. But we have a team that’s versatile, hungry, and for the first time this season, real competition for spots. Every week matters, which is what you want.
Interviewer: Bouncing off that, you said about last week’s game having that midfield three of Noble, JP, and Hope back was good for you guys. How important was that in terms of the chances created today?
Kah: Absolutely. I think those three have been fantastic for us, and so also has — I would basically say the five — when you have Carl and Ascel in there as well. Those have been important pieces for us. We haven’t had that consistency to play them all the time because of injuries, but to have them back, amazing.
Interviewer: Pierce has scored goals in back-to-back games and also played the full game in back-to-back games. Has he surprised you at all?
Kah: No, he hasn’t surprised me. I remember the first time we came to watch them, they were playing an academy game, and right away you could tell he’d be able to play in this league and this level. With young players it’s about training them and teaching them so when their moment is there, they can take it. The biggest thing with him is he had somebody in front of him show it — Braxton did it — and now he’s taken over the mantle. Unfortunately JMo is out, but we also have Tony Capadilla coming in, we have Bimbo. All of these youngsters see it and they know we’re not afraid to put them in. Nobody would have known Pierce if there was no opportunity created. Thanks also goes to Rafa, David, and Andy Chapman, academy coaches who’ve worked with him through the years. We’re benefiting from the relationship with our academy and the pathway.
Interviewer: Defensively tonight, especially in the first half, 47% of Colorado Springs’ attack came down their left side, your right. Pierce even admitted he’s not the fastest. How do you manage that?
Kah: Obviously you talk to him, but the biggest lesson is the game itself. He has to go in there and experience it and feel it. But we have ultimate trust and that’s the most important thing. He understands what he’s good at and what he’s not good at, so he limits his weaknesses — that’s always what you want in a player. If the front players do what they need to do, he won’t be in those situations. But he defended it well, even though they targeted him. He stood his ground, knew when to go forward, took his chances, showcased his quality. He knows Ascel will be there to help, JP will be there, Sacks will be there. He’s improved, and the biggest thing is his mentality — it’s unbelievable. He smelled his opportunity and he didn’t let it go.
Interviewer: After the fourth goal, Ryan scores and the team celebrates, but you also celebrated with the fans, and later Flood came to you for a hug. How would you describe your connection with the players?
Kah: We have a great connection because for us it’s about creating an environment where they can be themselves and perform at their best by being themselves. Us as coaches — I know and they know I’m very demanding, very intense. I’m happy we won, but in my mind I’m thinking about the next game. I know how good they are, and I want them to keep going because they have something unique in this group, both on and off the field. The realization is kicking in, and today was a great start of it. When we continue like this, we’ll be dangerous.
Interviewer: Pierce has a verbal commitment to UC Irvine. Do you have an idea of his long-term future with the club?
Kah: Obviously selfishly, similar to Braxton, I want to keep them. But I also understand the true value of going to school and getting an education, because football can be cut short and it’s very important also to have a degree. My father didn’t only allow me to be a footballer, so it was very important to get my degree. I support him 100% with that commitment. He’ll make the choice when it’s time, just like Braxton. We as a club will always support our players. It showcases that with our club, players can get opportunities here, and also opportunities into the college ranks, and hopefully come back to us or move on to bigger and better things.
Interviewer: You’ve spoken this year about the ups and downs — really high highs and some low lows. How do you bottle up the smiles of today, and also the performance from the first 30 minutes, and make that the way forward?
Kah: Of course. Like I said, the quality is there. With a new group, new coaches, different ways of playing, it’s more mentally taxing than physically. They know I’m intense and they have to take that second breather, but if you look at the progress, it’s been there. We haven’t always rewarded ourselves — last game in Tampa, we should have, but we do it now. Even in the game, under pressure, maybe in the beginning of the season we would have folded — no, we managed those situations better. Every game, win or lose, there are learning moments. What I love about them is every single day they give everything to the last drop. As a coach I cannot ask for more. Seeing their progression for eight months — that’s why I say trust the process. We’re winning 4–1 today because of the process we started in January, the ups and downs, the belief in our quality, and what we’re doing as a club. Marga goes out, a new player comes in with the same work ethic, same demands, same accountability. For me — we don’t stop. This is a beginning. Let’s continue.
