Rising come up short in USL Jägermeister Cup opener against San Antonio FC on April 26
Phoenix Rising played its first-ever match in USL Jägermeister Cup competition, coming up short against San Antonio FC by a score of 1-0 on April 26. Following the match Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah and midfielder Carl Sainté discussed the defeat, moving forward and bouncing back in league play.
HEAD COACH PA-MODOU KAH
General thoughts on the match…
“I think we had some decent moments, but we didn’t get a shot on target today. It was a little bit disappointing. I think one moment that could have maybe changed the game was offside call in the first half.”
On Carl Sainté’s performance …
“He’s played that role before, and it’s not new to him, and I think today, he played very good, which is credit to him, he was having a little bit of struggle, but he came out of the struggle, which is great to see. And I think he provided a lot physical for us.”
On Casey Walls’ situation with the club…
“Well with Casey, I mean, he came to me, he talked to me, and he has announced his retirement. And the reason for it is because, for the past two, three years, he had lost the joy in the game. And he felt that that was the right choice, and I support him 100% because, again, terrific young man, which I wish I had the more time to train him. I saw him play as a 16-year-old, and I always liked him, but I’m very happy for him, because in our sport, sometimes we don’t know what people put him, and I think it’s very important that, again, that we allow people to do what they want to do, because sometimes we feel like people need to be something. But he changed his dream…he felt it was time for him to do something outside football, and I support him, and clubs support him for 100%.”
MIDFIELDER CARL SAINTÉ
On his overall thoughts on the match…
“I think it was for me personally, I think we did a really good job, (in) the first half. I feel like the second half we kind of started, like, a little bit slow, but I think all we have to do (is) the game, it’s already passed. We have to keep our heads up in the transit process. And I think everything will work out.”
On challenges from switching positions …
“I mean, for me, personally, I feel like it’s really helped me because I see the team before I see myself…I feel like, wherever the coach want to put me, I’m willing to play because I just want to win.”
On adjusting following Pape Mar Boye’s injury…
“It’s someone that I (have known), a long time ago I’ve been playing with him, like, I know him, but I mean, like losing Pape, it’s, it was a big loss for us at the game.”
