PHOENIX — Phoenix Rising’s Ihsan Sacko believes the club can continue to improve through the season by focusing on first-half-mechanics.
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Phoenix Rising’s Ryan Flood runs for the ball against FC Tulsa on June 14, 2025. Credits: Phoenix Rising FC
After leading against FC Tulsa at the end of the first half on Saturday night, Rising couldn’t keep Tulsa scoreless. Tulsa notched a goal in the final 10 minutes of the match and drew against Phoenix. Sacko believes the club needs to focus on putting themselves in a good spot before the half.
“We have to work harder at practice and be more killer,” he told reporters after the match. “Because I think we could have killed the game off in the first half… That will make the game easier for us in the second half.”
Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky kicks a ball back into play against FC Tulsa on June 14, 2025. Credits: Phoenix Rising FC
Sacko also acknowledged the challenge of playing away from home but knows their focus is still on the same goal: win.
“It’s always hard to play away because we don’t have our supporters,” Sack said. “Away from home, we have to be more focused on ourselves to win the three points.”
Our Backline General.#TodosRojos | #AwayDays Driven by @Carvana pic.twitter.com/HzSWLzvuEh
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) June 16, 2025
Sacko and Phoenix Rising continue their road trip with their next challenge against Charleston Battery on June 21.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Rising surrenders first-half lead and draws against FC Tulsa
