COLORADO SPRINGS – Phoenix Rising FC walked away from Weidner Field with a 1-1 draw Saturday night, but head coach Pa-Modou Kah wasn’t satisfied with the point.
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May 3, 2024; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC midfielder Zach Zandi (10) and Phoenix Rising FC midfielder Hope Avayevu (10) battle for the ball in the first half at Weidner Field. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC
The match started with a ninth-minute save by Phoenix’s Patrick Rakovsky, keeping the tie intact until the 11th minute. Phoenix’s Jearl Margaritha scored the opening goal to give it the lead early on, his third of the season. However, Margaritha suffered an injury and was taken out of the match with Rémi Cabral taking his place. Phoenix would lead Colorado Springs 1-0 into the half.
Colorado Springs tied up the match on an Anthony Fontana goal in the 58th minute, his first of the season. Despite many chances to score, especially a key miss by Cabral, Phoenix couldn’t cash in leading to both teams drawing, 1-1.
Oh what a beauty ????#COLvsPHX | 0-1 | #AwayDays Driven by @Carvana pic.twitter.com/EYmtnnSM55
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) May 4, 2025
Kah believes too many opportunities were lost, although the players did their best. While Phoenix will walk away with a point to its season total, Kah would have liked to have walked away with more.
“We’re here at the home of the champion,” Kah credits the home team. “[Colorado Springs] is still champions until somebody knocks them off.”
May 3, 2024; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Phoenix Rising FC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky (1) makes a save in the first half against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC
Phoenix comes back home to face MLS’s Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 32. Kah is ready to continue work for another U.S. Open Cup victory.
“It’s a one-off game, and you’re looking forward to a one-off game,” said Kah. “We’re going to recover well [Sunday] and then it’s back to work on Monday.”
Phoenix and Houston will face off this Wednesday, May 7 with kickoff at 7 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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