Phoenix Rising Seeks Historic Open Cup Win Over MLS Rival

Rising travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes in the final match of this year's third round at PayPal Park.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:54am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a soccer match, with the players' forms abstracted into angular, intersecting shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the energy and tension of the Open Cup clash.An artistic rendering of the high-stakes clash between underdogs Phoenix Rising and MLS power San Jose Earthquakes in the U.S. Open Cup.San Jose Today

Phoenix Rising FC is looking to make history this week as the club seeks its first-ever win over a Major League Soccer opponent in the U.S. Open Cup. Rising travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes in the final match of this year's third round, marking the first time the two sides have ever met in competitive play.

Why it matters

The Open Cup allows clubs at all levels to compete in a single tournament, providing an opportunity for lower-division teams like Phoenix Rising to test themselves against top-flight MLS opposition. A win over the Earthquakes would be a landmark achievement for the club and could help raise its profile nationally.

The details

Rising has faced MLS teams in the Open Cup before, including losses to the Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders in recent years. However, coach Pa-Modou Kah believes his team is ready to finally get over the hump, saying 'I never look at our team or myself as an underdog. We are equal once we step on the pitch.' The team is also coming off a resounding 3-0 win over rivals New Mexico United, giving them momentum heading into the big cup clash.

  • The match against the Earthquakes will take place on April 19, 2026.
  • Last year, Rising fell 4-1 at home to the Houston Dynamo after extra time in the Open Cup.
  • In 2024, Rising travelled to face the Seattle Sounders, taking the lead in first half stoppage time before ultimately falling 2-1.

The players

Pa-Modou Kah

The head coach of Phoenix Rising FC, who believes his team is ready to defeat MLS opposition in the Open Cup.

Ihsan Sacko

A forward for Phoenix Rising FC who is excited for the opportunity to face the Earthquakes, saying 'We're excited because we definitely want to win this game.'

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What they’re saying

“I know a lot of people will look at it and say we are underdogs. I never look at our team or myself as an underdog. We are equal once we step on the pitch.”

— Pa-Modou Kah, Head Coach, Phoenix Rising FC

“Everybody was excited [at the draw] because it's an opportunity for some of us. We have some young players in the team, so it's a big chance for us. We're excited because we definitely want to win this game. That's why we go there for this: for the win.”

— Ihsan Sacko, Forward, Phoenix Rising FC

What’s next

If Phoenix Rising defeats the San Jose Earthquakes, they will advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup, where they would face the winner of the match between the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders.

The takeaway

Phoenix Rising's clash with the San Jose Earthquakes in the U.S. Open Cup represents a golden opportunity for the club to make history by defeating an MLS opponent for the first time. A win would not only be a landmark achievement for Rising, but could also help raise the profile of the club nationally and provide a boost of confidence heading into the rest of their season.