USL CHAMPIONSHIP: New Mexico United takes over sole possession of first place in ‘crowded’ Western Conference
- Dan Stickradt
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
In the USL Championship-Western Conference, every point will count – and has so far
ALBEQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United defeated Western Conference rival San Antonio FC by a 4-2 final score on Saturday night.
In a season where every point in the Western Conference will count – the win was huge.
Two goals during stoppage time aided the victory for New Mexico United, including the game-winner and an insurance tally. United maintained sole possession of first place with the victory over a team that was just one point behind them in the USL Championship-Western Conference standings entering the evening.
New Mexico United now has 25 points, two ahead of the El Paso Locomotive (23 points), as just five points separate the top five teams in the Western Conference and 10 points separate the top 10 teams in the 12-team division. FC Tulsa and San Antonio FC both have 21 points and are third in the logjam of teams.
New Mexico United improved to 8-4-1 overall and to a 21-14 scoring edge for the plus-seven in that department. The 21 goals scored in league play is the third most in the Western Conference and trails only fifth place Phoenix Rising (24 goals scored) and second place El Paso Locomotive (23 goals scored).
The Charleston Battery of the Eastern Conference leads the entire league with 32 goals scored as a team. Louisville City, another Eastern Conference side, is tied with the Phoenix Rising for second overall with 24 goals scored.
New Mexico United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis is tied for 11th in the USL Championship with 31 saves. His defense has a 1.08 goals-against-average. Backup goalkeeper Kristopher Shakes has made five saves.
New Mexico United is in second place with six shutouts – trailing only Las Vegas’ eight clean sheets.
In the league’s top 35 in terms of goals scored, Luiz Fernando is in an eight-way tie for 11th place with four goals scored. Greg Hurst has scored three goals and is in a 12-way tie for 24th.
Several other players have scored one or two goals this season for New Mexico United while the assists are quite spread out. Mukwelle Akale is currently in a four-way tie for fourth in the league with five assists. Marlon Vargas and Orrin McKinze Gaines II have three assists apiece and are in a 15-way tie for 10th in the league in that category.
On a sour note, New Mexico United leads the entire USL Championship with 45 yellow cards and also has a pair of red cards this season which is tied for fifth in the USL Championship.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Against San Antonio FC, New Mexico United jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Mukwelle Akale’s set piece from the right side was sent into the mixing bowl, bounced once and Jaylin Lindsey headed home his first goal in an United uniform in just the 10th minute.
Akale also misfired just wide of frame late in the first half, as United settled for the one-goal advantage at the half.
San Antonio FC finally netted an equalizer when Mitchell Taintor was chopped down in the box by Akale and he sent home the ensuing penalty kick to level the score at 1-1 in the 54th minute.
New Mexico United answered back in the 59th, as Thomas Amang set up Akale with the thread of the needle pass and Akale converted for the 2-1 lead.
San Antonio FC tied it again for the second time when Rece Buckmaster uncorked a In the 76th.
In the 89th, Andres Paredes was shown his second yellow of the match after he tripped up a New Mexico player, reducing San Antonio to 10 men for the final minute plus eight minutes of stoppage time.
That just awoke a sleeping giant in stoppage time, as United scored twice to put the game away.
Luis Fernando netted the game-winner at the 90+1 mark, following a pass from McKinze Gaines, while Marlon Vargas chipped in with the insurance tally at 90+3 to push the final to 4-2. Both Gaines and Fernando set up the fourth goal with swift passes.
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