EL PASO — Phoenix Rising edged past El Paso Locomotive FC, earning a 1-0 win Saturday to secure a spot in the Western Conference Championship playoffs.
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El Paso Locomotive FC against Phoenix Rising FC in the opening round of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, November 1, 2025. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre/El Paso Locomotive FC
Phoenix’s victory was tightly contested until the late minutes of the second half, when midfielder Charlie Dennis scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute after El Paso was reduced to 10 players. Rising recorded its fourth straight shutout and hasn’t conceded a goal in 428 minutes of play.
El Paso managed only four shots during the match, with two on target, while Phoenix had 12, including three on goal.
Rising’s victory was its first in the playoffs since 2023, the year the club won the USL Championship title. Playing on the road and under pressure against a rival, Phoenix took control of the moment, showing grit and discipline.
El Paso Locomotive FC against Phoenix Rising FC in the opening round of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, November 1, 2025. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre/El Paso Locomotive FC
“We should have gotten two or three more goals in there after going a man up,” head coach Pa-Modou Kah said post-game. “I think that’s where we could have had better control of the game. But I’m super proud of the boys. Like I said at the beginning of the season, we have a process, we trust the process and we keep going. It’s not done yet, but we keep going.”
The club wasn’t alone in Texas.
El Paso Locomotive FC against Phoenix Rising FC in the opening round of the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas, Saturday, November 1, 2025. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre/El Paso Locomotive FC
Many fans traveled from Phoenix to El Paso to cheer on the club, making the seven-hour drive. Rising supporters are known for their passion, but making that trip to back their team in person shows their belief in the squad and desire to see it succeed.
It reflects a culture of togetherness not only within the players, but also the fans.
“It was special for us, because it’s a six, seven–hour trip to get [to El Paso],” midfielder JP Scearce said. “To have their support… They have been behind us all season long and we’re very grateful.”
Remember the name 🫡#TodosRojos | #AwayDays Driven by @Carvana pic.twitter.com/EyMiqJxJcW
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) November 2, 2025
Phoenix Rising will now face FC Tulsa in the Western Conference semifinals.
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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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