EL PASO — Phoenix Rising kept their Jägermeister Cup campaign alive after an intense penalty shootout against El Paso Locomotive FC, 7-6, on Saturday night.
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Phoenix Rising’s Collin Smith looks to pass against Lexington SC on July 4, 2025. Credit: Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix scored early on, with Ihsan Sacko scoring the first goal of the match in the sixth minute. El Paso tied things up not too long after, with a goal from Gabi Torres in the 11th minute. Just before the end of the first half, the Locomotive took its first lead of the match in the 38th minute with a goal from Andy Cabrera.
Just when it looked like El Paso was closing in on a win in the last 10 minutes of regulation, Phoenix’s Darius Johnson tied it up once more in the 80th minute and forcing a penalty shootout.
Phoenix and El Paso exchanged shots, going even until El Paso missed its eighth shot. Rising sealed the win after making their eighth shot and keeping themselves from being eliminated in the tournament.
Success In Penalties
Phoenix Rising’s Ascel Essengue dribbles against the Orange County SC on June 7, 2025. Credits: Phoenix Rising FC
Tonight marks Phoenix’s third match that was decided in a penalty shootout. They’ve won all three in two different competitions, with two coming in the Jägermeister Cup.
“That’s all [goalkeeper coach] Cory Robertson,” Rising head coach Pa-Modou Kah said after the match. “He does a fantastic job with the players… To be able to be good in penalties helps you breed confidence.”
Continuing On
That is what you call a team effort goal ????#TodosRojos | #AwayDays Driven by @Carvana pic.twitter.com/46HVqHcVYQ
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) July 20, 2025
Phoenix Rising’s next match will be against Orange County SC on Wednesday, July 30.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Rising aim to keep Jägermeister Cup campaign alive against El Paso Locomotive
