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Match Recaps

NEW MEXICO UNITED DOMINATES TOP TEAM IN WESTERN CONFERENCE, BEATS SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC 3-0

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New Mexico United were dominant on Saturday night, besting Sacramento Republic FC – the top team in the Western Conference – by a convincing 3-0 margin in front of 10,813 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. Goals from Harry Swartz in the first half and Amando Moreno and Nicky Hernandez in the second half paced the Black & Yellow, who extended their unbeaten streak to five matches.

The first half was dominated by United in possession and pace of play, but despite creating several chances, United approached halftime without a goal to show for it. Until Moreno cut along the byline and fired a pass that was just behind Swartz. The Needham, Massachusetts-native turned and fired off the right foot for the first goal of the match, just before the break.

11 minutes into the second half, it was Moreno’s turn to get a goal for himself. The El Salvador National took a pass from Sergio Rivas near the top of the box, took two touches on his left foot, and fired through Danny Vitiello’s legs for his team-best sixth goal of the season. Two minutes later, Moreno nearly scored again, but was stonewalled by Vitiello twice.

It took just one more minute for New Mexico to earn their third goal. Daniel Bruce fired from close range, but the shot was blocked up and out toward Hernandez, who first-time volleyed off the right foot to the near post and through Vitiello for a 3-0 score that United would not relinquish.

In the 8th minute of tonight’s match, Josh Suggs became just the fifth player in USL Championship history – and strangely, the third of the evening – to reach 20,000 career minutes played.

NEW MEXICO UNITED TOPS DETROIT CITY, MOVES INTO PLAYOFF POSITION

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New Mexico United topped Detroit City FC by a 1-0 final in front of nearly 10,000 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park on Saturday night, as hometown hero Alex Waggoner scored a late back post header to give the Black & Yellow the dramatic victory and move them into playoff positioning as the club enters the second half of the season.

United came out firing in the first half, accumulating 10 shots in the frame, and an astronomical 0.99 expected goals before the halftime whistle sounded. That first period included two shots off the crossbar, a goal line clearance, and one terrific save from Detroit City goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher, but incredibly no goals, as the two teams went into the locker room even at zeroes.

In the second half, the dynamism of United’s attack largely faded. But key substitutes Josh Suggs and Waggoner sparked the offense back to life, ultimately resulting in a beautiful chip from Daniel Bruce to a back-post-streaking Waggoner, who’s header left United fans in a frenzy. That one-nil scoreline would hold, as United’s defending would see out the result.

History was made multiple times tonight, as Suggs recorded his 100th appearance for New Mexico United, and his 250th appearance in the USL Championship, becoming the second and third player, respectively, to accomplish each feat. The shutout was also Alex Tambakis’ 43rd in his USL Championship career, moving him to second all-time in that category.

Most importantly, the win moved United back into playoff position. The Black & Yellow have won three of their last four matches, and are unbeaten in four straight.

WAGGONER STARS IN SANTA FE AS NEW MEXICO UNITED ACADEMY & U23’S WIN BY A COMBINED 18-0

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Alex Waggoner did what Alex Waggoner does – he scored. The Santa Fe High School graduate – turned Gatorade Player of the Year – turned New Mexico United Academy Golden Boot winner – turned United first team goal-scorer returned to the place where he scored 72 times in a season, and added two more for good measure on Wednesday night, as New Mexico United U23’s topped Colorado International Soccer Academy by 4-0 final at Ivan Head Stadium in Santa Fe.

Waggoner’s first goal came in just the second minute, as he broke away from the defense and tucked low past the keeper. Before he scored another Nick Legendre had a tally of his own, and after Waggoner scored a second time, Legendre’s brother Gabe put one up as well – assisted by his sibling.

Before that 4-0 win, United’s undefeated Academy – with a best-in-the-nation record of 8-0-1 put up an eye-popping scoreline of their own. The double-header began with a 14-0 win for the Academy lads. Three players – Leo Bencomo, Javier Trujillo, and Ivan Moore – all recorded hat tricks for the Black & Yellow, who completed the most dominant result in their three-year history.

Miguel Quinones and Cole Bachuzewski combined on the shutout for the Academy, while Anthony Munoz and Santa Fe-native Tenzing Manske completed the clean sheet for the U-23  side.

The Academy’s next match is on the road on Saturday against El Paso Locomotive FC Academy, while the U23’s – currently in a playoff position in the USL League Two Mountain Division travel to CISA on June 6th.

AMANDO MORENO SCORES INCREDIBLE GOAL, AS NEW MEXICO UNITED TOP COLORADO SPRINGS, 2-1

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New Mexico United bested Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC by a 2-1 score on Saturday night, as Amando Moreno scored a Goal of the Season candidate, and Alex Tambakis became just the second player in USL Championship history to record his 500th save. The win moves United to within four points of the playoff positions with matches in-hand against the rest of the clubs in the Western Conference.

The 33rd minute saw the first goal of the match, and it was taken in spectacular fashion. Harry Swartz sent a high cross toward the back post from the left side. That cross was met by the head of Kalen Ryden, who sent it back across to Moreno, who took the opportunity to do something incredible; His right-footed bicycle kick is one of the more memorable goals to be scored in United history, and it gave the Black & Yellow a 1-0 lead that they would take into halftime.

As United have done more than any other club this season – they scored early in the second frame. A terrific effort from Will Seymore saved a ball that looked headed out for a Switchbacks throw-in, and instead turned it into a dangerous ball to Sergio Rivas. Rivas took a touch before feeding a terrific low pass to Bruce, who tapped a low curler into the side netting for a 2-0 lead.

In the 77th minute, Tambakis made history – calmly handling a low dribbler for his 500th career USL Championship save, becoming just the second player to accomplish the feat. Springs would add a late consolation goal, but United’s defense stood strong and earned the 2-1 win.

NEW MEXICO UNITED FALL TO PHOENIX RISING FC

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New Mexico United fell to rival Phoenix Rising FC by a 1-3 margin on Wednesday night. Justin Portillo’s assist on Amando Moreno’s 51st minute tally was the lone bright spot for the Black & Yellow, who remain in 10th place in the USL Championship Western Conference.

Rising scored first in the contest, as Danny Trejo tucked home an easy tap-in goal in the 31st minute, after a simple sideways ball from Panagiotis Armenakas. Phoenix would hold that lead through the rest of the first half, despite United leading in possession, shots, shots on target, xG and several other metrics in the first 45 minutes. 

But New Mexico came out firing in the second stanza, and Amando Moreno would tally just six minutes into the frame. Portillo took a low ball from Harry Swartz and played a first time pass low into the channel for Moreno who turned around a defender and fired with his right foot past Phoenix pitcher Patrick Rakovsky to even the score. The assist was Portillo’s 30th in the USL Championship

That even scoreline would last just a minute and a half as Armenakas pushed a score home on the counter and an assist from Trejo. Phoenix would add a late insurance goal and take all three points.

NEW MEXICO UNITED EARNS A POINT IN HEAD COACH ERIC QUILL’S DEBUT, DRAWS 2-2 WITH RGVFC TOROS

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New Mexico United fought to a 2-2 draw on Saturday night, in front of more than 10,000 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. The match was the first with the Black & Yellow for Head Coach Eric Quill. Daniel Bruce and Justin Portillo scored for United – with both goals coming in the first half. While Wilmer Cabrera  Jr and Juan Galindrez tallied for the visitors.

Cabrera was first on the score sheet, as he collected a rebound and fired just past the outstretched foot of Austin Yearwood and past Alex Tambakis for the game’s first goal in the 28th minute. But ten minutes later, United were level, as Austin Yearwood blasted a free kick from about 25 yards out into the upper left corner, leaving goalkeeper Carlos Merancio flat-footed.

Just five minutes after that, it was Bruce’s turn to score, as he took a brilliant pass from Sergio Rivas on his right foot and chipped Merancio for United’s first lead – a score they would bring into halftime. That first half saw United maintain 75.4% possession, their highest total in any half this season.

“I’m proud to hear that because that’s that’s a style that I like to play,” said Quill. “That’s part of what I believe is the football that wins championships. Now, I’ve got to look at the real numbers: of what’s the verticality in the possession look like instead of just, front half possession versus back half. But what I saw was guys moving more to support each other, guys playing one and two touch and that and then combining off of each other combination play that’s the stuff that’s going to… yield results because the combination play can really kill front half pressure.”

ALEX WAGGONER SCORES FIRST PRO GOAL AS NEW MEXICO UNITED BEATS MONTEREY BAY, 2-1

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Two New Mexicans led the way as New Mexico United bested Monterey Bay FC on Saturday night by a 2-1 score in front of nearly 10,000 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. The victory was a measure of revenge for United, who fell to MBFC on the road earlier in the season.

First on the scoresheet was Taos native and United Academy product Alex Waggoner. In the 23rd minute, an excellent run and cross from Las Cruces native Josh Suggs found Amando Moreno, who expertly took down the pass, turned and fired on net. MBFC goalkeeper Siaha Ngnepi made the initial save, but spilled the rebound and Waggoner was fastest to the loose ball. The 18-year old tucked home from close range for his first career goal in his first career start.

Eighteen minutes later, Will Seymore made his mark on the match, as Monterey Bay saw themselves through on goal, and a low shot made its way past United keeper Alex Tambakis. But Seymore was quick on foot and in though, diving for a goal line clearance that kept New Mexico in front at halftime.

The second half saw Monterey Bay start brightly, earning a few chances on frame. Early in the second stanza, United’s Sam Hamilton saw two yellow cards in the span of three minutes, reducing New Mexico to ten men for the remainder of the match. But the second half substitute Rivas wasn’t phased by the disadvantage, as he took a lovely backheel from Moreno onto his left foot and scored in his third straight match to double the lead.

Monterey Bay earned a tally of their own in the 81st minute, but New Mexico held steady to maintain their unbeaten home record in 2023.

HURST SCORES TWICE AS NEW MEXICO UNITED BESTS ORANGE COUNTY SC 3-1

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New Mexico United was dominant on Saturday night, defeating Orange County SC by a final score of 3-1 in front of 10,048 fans at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. Greg Hurst scored twice for the Black & Yellow, and Josh Dolling assisted all three goals – the first player in club history to accomplish that feat, and just the 25th in the history of the league.

Greg Hurst got the scoring started for United in the 22nd minute, as a high ball was chested down by Dolling into Hurst’s path. The Scotsman took two touches on his right foot before firing low past goalkeeper Cody Cropper for a 1-0 lead. That lead would last until the 58th minute, when Alex Tambakis made a terrific save on a low shot. That palmed stop redirected onto the head of Josh Suggs for an own goal.

But United would retake the lead just a few moments later, as Greg Hurst doubled his delight. Dolling took a short pass from Moreno with the outside of his foot, turned, and went between the legs of a defender to a streaking Hurst, who did the rest. Hurst took one touch before again firing low past Cropper for a 2-1 lead.

11 minutes later, it was Albuquerque’s own Sergio Rivas who put the exclamation point on the victory. Dolling brought the ball through center and played a terrific diagonal ball to Rivas, who timed his run perfectly before slotting home from the left side for the final score of the evening.

The win moves United into playoff position, despite still having two matches in-hand over many of their conference rivals. Their next match is on the road on Friday against RGVFC.

NEW MEXICO UNITED ADVANCES TO U.S. OPEN CUP ROUND OF 32, TOPS PHOENIX RISING

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New Mexico United advanced to the Round of 32 in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, scoring a dramatic 2-1 win over rival Phoenix Rising FC en route to the next stage. Goals from Greg Hurst and Josh Dolling paced the Black & Yellow, who played their first ever Cup match at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.

Greg Hurst got the scoring started for United just before halftime, as Daniel Bruce drove through the midfield and laid a pass off. Hurst fired from the left side of the box – a hit that was saved by Patrick Rakovsky, but rebounded into Hurst’s path. The Scottsman tucked to the far post for the game’s first tally, and his first for the Black & Yellow. On the stroke of halftime, some extracurricular activity would see Phoenix reduced to ten men, as Phoenix’s Baboucarr Njie was sent off for kicking out at Bruce. Shortly thereafter, a flurry of yellow cards were produced by the referee, ending the half on a sharp edge.

The 1-0 lead would hold for United until the 77th minute. A direct free kick from Manuel Arteaga would hit the crossbar, and the rebound bounced across the goal mouth as United goalkeeper Ford Parker made a terrific diving stop to clear the line. But that rebound bounced right to Carlos Harvey who tucked home the equalizer.

But United weren’t done. Ten minutes later it was Dolling’s turn to play the hero. The Englishman collected a headed clearance at the top of the box and hit it with his right foot. That first attempt was blocked, but immediately back to the forward, who hit it with his left, beyond a diving Rakovsky and into the back of the net for a lead United would not relinquish.

United Academy Product Alex Waggoner made his full pro debut on the evening and terrorized the Phoenix defense, creating several chances with terrific hold up play and tenacity. United will learn who it will face in the Open Cup Round of 32 on Thursday. The Open Cup Draw will be broadcast live at noon MT on the Bleacher Report app.

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