Phoenix Rising name Pa-Modou Kah as new head coach

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Phoenix Rising FC has a new head coach who will bring MLS coaching experience to the club.

The Rising on Monday announced Pa-Modou Kah as the club’s head coach. Kah comes to Phoenix after spending the past two seasons as assistant coach of Charlotte FC in the MLS.

“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,” Kah said in a release by the club. “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.”

The club parted ways with previous head coach Danny Stone in June. Diego Gómez acted as head coach in the interim while the club searched for Stone’s permanent replacement.

As a retired Gambian-Norwegian professional soccer player, Kah will add a wealth of knowledge to the squad. He was a strong, versatile defender who could play both central defense and defensive midfield.

Kah’s playing career eventually led him to the MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers.

He transitioned to coaching in 2017, starting as an assistant with the Whitecaps and then with FC Cincinnati in 2019.

Kah was then the head coach of Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC, leading that club to its first league title in 2021 and earning Coach of the Year honors.

“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.”

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