Rising looks to its young core to step up amidst injuries

© Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC

PHOENIX —  With Phoenix Rising unable to keep leads in recent games, Phoenix Rising head coach Pa-Modou Kah doesn’t believe injuries are to blame.

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Kah voiced his frustration on Saturday after drawing with the Colorado Switchbacks FC. He believed there were too many opportunities Rising couldn’t cash in on. Today, he acknowledged the group’s hardships of not having the best on the pitch every game.

“We’ve been hit very hard with the injuries this year,” Kah said. “But you know it’s not an excuse. But when you don’t have your best players it becomes tough.”

Jearl Margaritha injured himself after scoring his third goal of the season on Saturday. Kah knows the group lost a valuable player and says it’s a shame to lose him.

“You lose another weapon, but that’s the part of the game,” Kah expressed. “And now somebody has got to step up.”

Round of 32 coming soon ????

May 7th ????️: https://t.co/SbdwFU8rDN#TodosRojos pic.twitter.com/6JPamvolPe

— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) May 5, 2025

Phoenix hosts MLS club Houston Dynamo FC on Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32, adding another challenge to the young core. Kah doesn’t believe anything needs to change in preparation as the team has been showing progress despite not having his best players.

“I’m very happy with our fitness level and you know, it is a game to look forward to,” Kah said about Wednesday’s matchup. “These are the games that these players want to test themselves because this is the next level they want to go in America.”

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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde

Pa-Modou Kah voices frustration after Phoenix Rising lets lead slip late