Press Release

Pa-Modou Kah joins Phoenix Rising following two seasons as an assistant coach with MLS’ Charlotte FC

Phoenix Rising FC has appointed Pa-Modou Kah as its new head coach. Kah joins Phoenix Rising from Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC, where he spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach.

“I’m here because Phoenix Rising has the ambition and the drive to maintain its status as one of the top clubs in the USL Championship, with a commitment to bringing home more hardware and developing players,” said Pa-Modou Kah. “I want to thank Pablo, Bobby, and Brandon for this great opportunity and for trusting me to lead this team and project. I’m ready to lead this team, work with our players, and bring in the key pieces that match our style and intensity. I don’t come here lightly—I know the fans, I see the commitment in this community, and I’m here to push, build, and make Phoenix a club that consistently performs at the highest level.”

Kah is a retired Gambian-Norwegian professional soccer player, with experience both in European and North American soccer. As a player, Kah was a strong, versatile defender, able to play both in central defense and as a defensive midfielder. He began his playing career in Norway, then moved on to play in various leagues worldwide, including the Dutch Eredivisie with Roda JC, Qatar Stars League, and Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers. He was known for his leadership and physicality on the field.

Transitioning to coaching in 2017, Kah started as an assistant with the Vancouver Whitecaps (2017–2018) and later with FC Cincinnati in 2019. The Norwegian, who speaks seven different languages, then took on head coaching responsibilities at Pacific FC, where he led the team to their first Canadian Premier League (CPL) Championship in 2021, earning the CPL Coach of the Year title. During that season, Kah’s squad also advanced to the semifinals of the Canadian Championship, notably defeating MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps along the way.

In 2022, Kah led North Texas SC to the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs with a 13-5-7 record in their debut season. He holds a UEFA A Coaching License.

“Pa’s breadth of experience as both a player and coach across global soccer makes him an incredible addition to Phoenix Rising,” said Club President Bobby Dulle. “In our conversations, it’s clear he is an intense, driven leader with a strong reputation for approachability and building genuine connections with and getting the most out of his players. Kah’s background gives him unique insight into creating unity within diverse rosters, and we’re confident his drive and tactical acumen will elevate our team both on and off the field.”

Career Highlights & Coaching Stats for Pa-Modou Kah:

• Playing Career: A versatile defender in top leagues worldwide, including MLS with the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps, Kah made history as the first Black player to represent Norway’s national team, earning 10 caps.
• Coaching Record at Pacific FC: Led to first CPL Championship in 2021; Named CPL Coach of the Year.
• North Texas SC (MLS NEXT Pro): Guided the team to playoffs in its inaugural season, with a 13-5-7 record.
• UEFA A Coaching License
• Languages: Fluent in seven languages

Gomez stepped in as Interim Head Coach on June 29 following the departure of Danny Stone

With the conclusion of the 2024 USL Championship season, Phoenix Rising and Interim Head Coach Diego Gomez have parted ways.

“Diego stepped into a challenging role this season, and we’re incredibly grateful for his leadership and dedication to Phoenix Rising,” said Club President Bobby Dulle. “He brought stability to the team during a critical time, and his impact has been significant both on and off the field. After careful consideration, we believe the best path forward is to look externally for a head coach who can lead us into the next phase of success for this club. We have immense respect for Diego and appreciate all he’s done for Phoenix Rising.”

Gomez joined Phoenix Rising on February 6, 2024, as an assistant coach. A former goalkeeper, he spent his early years in the academy systems of Real Madrid (1998-2002) and FC Barcelona (2002-2010) and played professionally in Spain and Hong Kong from 2010 to 2013 before transitioning to a coaching career with AC Milan’s academy in Hong Kong in 2013.

From 2013 to 2017, Gomez advanced from youth coaching positions in Spain and China to become a director at David Villa’s DV7 Academy in Korea and Chula Vista, California. He then served as an academy coach, sporting director, and head coach for Queensboro FC II (2021-2022) before moving on to head coach roles with NISA teams Albion SC and Irvine Zeta (2023-2024).

Gomez was appointed Interim Head Coach on June 29, 2024, after Phoenix Rising relieved Head Coach Danny Stone of his duties. At the time, Phoenix Rising was in 9th place with 17 games remaining in the season. Gomez led the team to a 6-3-8 record, securing the eighth seed in the 2024 USL Championship playoffs.

He was named USL Championship’s Week 32 Coach of the Week on October 15, following Phoenix’s road victories over New Mexico (2-1) and Oakland Roots (1-0).

Phoenix Rising’s Pape Mar Boye, Charlie Dennis, and Dariusz Formella were all featured in the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 29

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 29 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, featuring Phoenix Rising’s Pape Mar Boye and Charlie Dennis, with Dariusz Formella named to the bench. All three players were recognized following Phoenix Rising’s 4-0 victory over San Antonio FC this past weekend.

Mar Boye opened the scoring for Phoenix Rising, rising high to head in a corner kick from Dennis at the far post, beating San Antonio goalkeeper Richard Sanchez. This marks Mar Boye’s second Team of the Week selection; he was also recognized in Week 20 after scoring his first goal for Phoenix Rising in a similar fashion.

Dennis added a goal of his own 20 minutes into the second half, receiving the ball at the top of the box and slotting it low into the corner for his first goal with Phoenix Rising and his second of the USL Championship season. This is his first Team of the Week selection while with Phoenix Rising.

Formella, who led the team in shots, scored Phoenix Rising’s second goal, connecting with a precise pass from Giuliano Doratiotto that split San Antonio’s defense. After driving into the box and cutting inside, Formella slotted a low shot through Sanchez’s legs for his fifth goal of the season. This is his second Team of the Week selection, with his first coming in Week 14.

The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which includes representatives from each media market in the Championship.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 29
GK – Kris Shakes, New Mexico United: Making only his second league appearance, Shakes posted a four-save shutout against Loudoun United FC with a Goals Prevented mark of -1.18 to help United seal a six-point week with a 1-0 win at Isotopes Park.

D – Carlos Guzman, Monterey Bay F.C.: The Mexican veteran had a stellar all-around game in Monterey Bay’s scoreless draw with Orange County SC as he completed 95 of 106 passes while winning 2 of 2 tackles and 2 of 2 aerial duels while also making two interceptions and six recoveries.

D – Pape Mar Boye, Phoenix Rising FC: The 20-year-old center back scored the opening goal in Rising’s 4-0 victory against San Antonio FC and was stellar otherwise, completing 49 of 52 passes and winning 6 of 6 aerial duels while making two clearances and three recoveries.

D – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC: The veteran center back had a strong individual performance against Detroit City FC, winning 4 of 5 tackles, 11 of 12 ground duels and 6 of 8 aerial duels while also converting from the penalty spot for LouCity’s lone goal of the contest.

M – Shawn Smart, Las Vegas Lights FC: Smart recorded one assist and had two shots on target and two chances created while completing 54 of 61 passes, winning a game-high 5 of 5 tackles and 12 of 18 duels, and making four interceptions and six recoveries in a 2-1 win against Sacramento Republic FC.

M – Charlie Dennis, Phoenix Rising FC: The English midfielder recorded his first goal and assist since joining Rising to lead a 4-0 victory against San Antonio FC and completed 37 of 38 passes overall while notching three chances created and making four recoveries defensively.

M – Maxi Rodriguez, Detroit City FC: Rodriguez notched a goal and assist to lead Le Rouge in a 2-1 victory against Louisville City FC on Sunday afternoon, had two shots and two chances created, and completed 26 of 33 passes overall while winning one tackle and making nine recoveries defensively.

M – Chris Allan, Charleston Battery: The English midfielder was outstanding in central midfield, winning 11 of 11 ground duels and 6 of 8 tackles while making nine recoveries and two interceptions and completing 45 of 49 passes to help power the Battery’s 3-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

F – Greg Hurst, New Mexico United: The Scottish forward bagged a pair of goals in United’s 3-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC last Wednesday night as he recorded three shots on target and won 2 of 3 ground duels defensively.

F – Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery: Markanich scored a pair of goals to lead the Battery to a 3-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, setting the league’s single-season goalscoring record in the process, and completed 26 of 33 passes while winning 8 of 10 duels and 4 of 6 tackles defensively.

F – Noah Fuson, Rhode Island FC: The 24-year-old began RIFC’s comeback 2-1 victory against FC Tulsa with a sharp finish with just over 20 minutes to play and had six shots and three chances created overall at Beirne Stadium.

Coach – Eric Quill, New Mexico United: Quill’s side earned a six-point week with victories against Sacramento Republic FC and Loudoun United that moved the side’s advantage at the top of the Western Conference to 12 points and put it within reach of clinching the No. 1 seed in the conference.

Bench: Colin Shutler (OC), Abdi Mohamed (NM), Markus Nakkim (OC), Mukwelle Akale (NM), Jojea Kwizera (RI), Collin Martin (NC), Dariusz Formella (PHX)

With eight saves and a shutout in Phoenix Rising’s road win over the weekend, Rios Novo was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week, Week 26.

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 26 of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday, with Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo being recognized as the starting goalkeeper, earning the second-most votes.

Las Vegas Lights FC forward Khori Bennett was voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after recording a pair of goals in a historic 3-2 victory for the Lights against Orange County SC at Championship Soccer Stadium on Saturday night. Previously voted the Championship’s Player of the Month in June this season, the Jamaican led the Lights back from a two-goal deficit to claim victory, the first time in club history Las Vegas had won after trailing by two goals in a game. Bennett earned and then converted a penalty kick six minutes before halftime to halve the deficit before knocking home his second just past the hour-mark for his team-leading 11^th goal of the season.

Bennett earned 50 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Phoenix Rising FC goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo finished second on 25 percent after posting an eight-save shutout in Rising’s 1-0 victory on the road against Loudoun United FC, which moved the defending Championship title holders back above the playoff line.

The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship.

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 26
GK – Rocco Ríos Novo, Phoenix Rising FC: The Argentine recorded an eight-save shutout in Rising’s 1-0 victory on the road against Loudoun United FC, posting a Goals Prevented mark of -1.66 as Rising moved back above the playoff line.

D – Duke Lacroix, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Haitian international scored in his side’s 4-1 victory against FC Tulsa on Sunday night and over two outings completed 63 of 70 passes and made 14 recoveries while winning 9 of 15 duels and 2 of 3 tackles.

D – Nicolas Cardona, Miami FC: The Puerto Rico international recorded the assist on Miami’s game-winning goal against Monterey Bay F.C. and completed 59 of 66 passes overall while recording four clearances, three recoveries and one tackle in the side’s second shutout of the season.

D – Matt Real, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Real started both of Colorado Springs’ victories on the week, finding the net against FC Tulsa on Sunday night, and won 8 of 13 duels and 3 of 5 tackles defensively while completing 61 of 80 passes and notching a pair of chances created.

M – Ezra Armstrong, North Carolina FC: Armstrong recorded a pair of assists in North Carolina’s clash with Louisville City and completed 24 of 33 passes overall while winning 3 of 3 tackles and 5 of 6 duels defensively in a standout display in defeat.

M – Jonas Fjeldberg, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Norwegian scored twice in the opening six minutes against Memphis 901 FC on Wednesday night and over two wins for the Switchbacks completed 14 of 21 passes and had six shots and two chances created.

M – Stephen Turnbull, Rhode Island FC: Turnbull scored the opening goal in RIFC’s 2-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC and had four shots overall in the contest while defensively he won 4 of 4 tackles and 8 of 10 duels.

M – Memo Diaz, Oakland Roots SC: Diaz notched the assist on Dom Dwyer’s game-winning goal against New Mexico United and had four chances created overall while completing 29 of 37 passes, winning 2 of 2 tackles and 3 of 4 ground duels, and recording five recoveries and three clearances.

F – Khori Bennett, Las Vegas Lights FC: The Jamaican scored a pair of goals, won a penalty kick, and recorded four shots on target while completing 9 of 11 passes to lead the Lights’ comeback 3-2 victory against Orange County SC.

F – Ethan Zubak, Orange County SC: Zubak scored twice in the opening 20 minutes for Orange County to break the club’s five-game scoreless drought, had four shots on target overall and two chances created while also winning 4 of 4 ground duels and 5 of 8 aerial duels in a stellar individual display.

F – Jansen Wilson, Louisville City FC: Wilson notched the first two-goal performance of his career in LouCity’s wild 6-4 victory against North Carolina FC, had another shot that resulted in an own goal and had one chance created.

Coach – James Chambers, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Chambers’ side swept a pair of victories against Memphis 901 FC and FC Tulsa, scoring seven goals in the process as they remained in contention for a top-four finish in the Western Conference.

Bench: Khadim Ndiaye (MIA), Illal Osumanu (PIT), Ben Ofeimu (IND), J.C. Ngando (LV), Speedy Williams (COS), Wilson Harris (LOU), Oalex Anderson (NC)

Johnson joins Phoenix Rising from FC Volendam after playing last season in the Dutch First Division

Phoenix Rising has signed forward Darius Johnson to a multi-year contract, pending league and federation approval as well as the receipt of his P-1 Visa.

Johnson, a 24-year-old Grenadian international, is renowned for his exceptional technical skills and precise footwork. His football journey began with Rising Ballers in London, where his raw talent on the streets laid the foundation for his professional career.

“I was born in London and played away from home for five years, so I kind of like being abroad and knowing the history of Phoenix, growing up in Chelsea, and knowing that Didier Drogba once played for this team, it was something that sat in my heart straight away,” said Johnson. “It’s just the history behind the team, I’ve seen the boys know how to play football — exciting football — I have good expectations and I hope we can get to the playoffs and do something special for this fanbase.”

After impressing during a one-week trial with FC Volendam in the Dutch Eerste Divisie, Johnson signed a three-year deal with the club. Over the course of five seasons, he proved to be an asset, contributing nine goals and nine assists while playing for both FC Volendam and its reserve team, Jong Volendam.

Last season, Johnson played exclusively in the Dutch first division, where he showcased his abilities at the highest level of Dutch football. His consistent performances were pivotal in FC Volendam’s campaign, solidifying his reputation as a key player in the squad.

“The club has shown great ambition this transfer window, and Darius is another great addition that will make an impact in the attack — a player that performed well last season versus top teams like Ajax and PSV,” said Interim Head Coach Diego Gomez. “He is still getting his fitness back, this is his preseason, but this is a long term signing for the team and someone that should bring a lot of excitement to Phoenix fans.”

Johnson earned a call-up to represent Grenada’s national team in 2023 and has since earned six caps, including appearances for Grenada in this summer’s CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica.

Darius Johnson: BY THE NUMBERS

• 9 goals and 9 assists in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie.
• 42 appearances for FC Volendam in the Eredivisie, including 14 starts in the 2023-24 season.
• Contributed to a top 2 finish in the Eerste Divisie with in the 2021-22 season and helped FC Volendam gain promotion.
• 6 international caps for Grenada, including two in World Cup qualifiers.

Transaction: Phoenix Rising FC Signs Darius Johnson
Name: Darius Johnson
Position: Forward
DOB: March 15, 2000
Born: London, United Kingdom
Former Club: FC Volendam
Height: 6-0
Weight: 168

Margaritha, who plays primarily as an attacking winger, joins Phoenix Rising on a multi-year deal

Phoenix Rising has signed Curacao international, 24-year-old forward Jearl Margaritha. Margaritha has signed a multi-year contract with Phoenix Rising and will be eligible to play pending league and federation approval and receipt of his P-1 Visa.

“Jearl is a talented player with quick feet who is brave in taking players on,” said Phoenix Rising Interim Head Coach Diego Gomez. “He has plenty of goal and assists in him, and we’re very excited to have him with the team.”

Margaritha joined the professional ranks after playing academy football in the Netherlands. He signed his first professional contract with VV Hoogeveen in 2019, where he made 13 appearances and scored 11 goals. Margaritha would go on to score 20 goals the next two seasons for Almere City and TOP Oss, in the top tier and second tier of the Dutch football league system, respectively.

Joining Curacao for World Cup CONCOCAF qualifiers, Margaritha played 135 in two matches played, tallying an assist and contributing in the attacking third with eight successful dribbles and double-digit touches in the opposition box. Margaritha joins Phoenix Rising after playing this past season with Sabah FK, a top tier team in the Azerbaijani football league.

“This is a great experience for me — I’ve already been outside of my home country, but to play in the U.S. is a big new adventure,” said Margaritha. “I’m already attached to this community, and Phoenix Rising is a great organization so I want to contribute and get results for this club.”

Jearl Margaritha: BY THE NUMBERS

• 31 goals in the last four seasons played.
• 17 assists in the last four seasons played.
• 4 international caps for Curacao, including two in World Cup qualifiers.

Transaction: Phoenix Rising FC Signs Jearl Margaritha
Name: Jearl Margaritha
Position: Forward
DOB: April 10, 2000 (24)
Born: Groningen, Netherlands
Former Club: Sabah FK
Height: 5-11
Weight: 161

Phoenix Rising forward Erickson Gallardo has been transferred to Venezuela’s Liga FUTVE side, Carabobo FC, for an undisclosed fee, pending league and federation approval, the club announced today.

“Erickson has been an exceptional teammate, demonstrating dedication in training, drive on the pitch, and a positive impact in our community,” said Interim Head Coach Diego Gomez. “This move presents an opportunity for Erickson to contribute to Carabobo FC’s ambitious goals in the Copa Libertadores upon his return home. We are proud of all Erickson has achieved here and are confident he will continue to excel.”

Gallardo, 27, signed with Rising on November 9, 2022. The native of Venezuela appeared in 36 matches in his two seasons with the club, scoring one goal and adding five assists.

He made his professional debut for Zamora of the Venezuelan first division as a 17-year-old in 2013. He spent seven years with his hometown club, making 117 appearances and scoring 11 goals before signing with MLS side, Toronto FC, in 2019. Gallardo made 11 appearances for Toronto FC between 2019 and 2021. His tenure in Canada coincided with the club’s run to the final of the 2018 Concacaf Champions League and 2019 Eastern Conference Championship.

Gallardo returned to Zamora in 2022, scoring 10 goals in 31 appearances. He has been capped three times since debuting for Venezuela in 2019. His most recent callups came last fall. Gallardo came on in the 64th minute of a 1-0 loss to Iceland on September 22 and subbed into the match in the 78th minute of a 4-0 win vs. United Arab Emirates on September 27.

Transaction: Rising transfers Erickson Gallardo to Liga FUTVE side Carabobo FC.
Name: Erickson Gallardo
Pos: Forward
DOB: July 26, 1996 (27)
Birthplace: Barinas, Venezuela
Previous Club: Zamora
Height: 5-6
Weight: 150
Instagram: @EricksonGallardo96