PHOENIX — A bond formed before coming to the desert, Phoenix Rising defenders Mohamed Traore and Pape Mar Boye spoke with Dan Lucas from the USL about their path to Rising.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The du0 from Senegal and have played on the same team as far back as ten years ago. Lucas asks them what they remember most about playing for their youth team.
Phoenix Rising FC defender Pape Mar Boye (4) kicks the ball away from Charleston Battery FC forward Diego Gutierrez (11) at Phoenix Rising Stadium on June 22, 2024.
“I was learning something about [Traore]. I think that made me grow more,” Boye replied.
“Learning from the game because if you are here,” Traore said. “It’s because of all the work you’ve put in from the academic in Senegal.”
The two split when moving to the United States; Traore attended Montverde Academy while Boye would join soon after Traore graduated.
May 22, 2024; Tukwila, Washington, USA; Phoenix Rising FC defender Mohamed Traore (5) steals the ball from Seattle Sounders FC defender Jackson Ragen (25) during the second half at Starfire Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Traore would then win his first professional trophy with Rising in 2023, and the year after, Boye joined the club. The two friends would reunite in the Valley of the Sun. However, they have international goals to achieve outside of Rising.
“We both have a dream about playing [on] our national team,” Boye said.
“Representing your country is a big privilege. Not everybody [gets] the chance to have,” Traore adds. “But we [are] still working hard and waiting for our time.”
From childhood friends to partners on the backline! ????????
Mohamed Traore and Pape Mar Boye spoke with @DanLucasUSL about their journey from Senegal to @PHXRisingFC ahead of this weekend’s #USLonCBS match ????
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 2, 2025
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
