Phoenix head coach praises Rising’s grit in loss against MLS team

With Houston being an MLS team, Phoenix needed to keep up with its tough defense and unexpected offense. Rising kept the score tied up until the end of regulation, something that Kah praises the club despite the final score.

“I mean, [Phoenix] gave it their all, and that’s the only thing that you hope to see, that they fight,” Kah said. “They played toe-to-toe with [Houston].”

Phoenix forward Dariusz Formella, who made his first goal of the season last night, also believes that last night’s match proved the team’s grittiness.

“It was good for the team that we showed to ourselves, to the fans, like we can compete with MLS teams and go to extra time,” said Formella.

Kah now hopes Rising can continue to learn and build upon last night’s loss, hoping that key players will join the core back again soon for reinforcements.

“The performance that these players are making, and how they’re growing every day is the best thing that is about football since growth is going to carry us for the rest of the season,” Kah explained. “I do not doubt that once we get fully healthy, we’ll get to see these players in the positions that we all need them to be.”