The Albuquerque portion of the Derby del Camino Real may have started slow, but New Mexico United and El Paso Locomotive FC made sure the fans left with some fireworks. The second consecutive derby match with a red card escalated as the afternoon grew long before a second half Greg Hurst goal proved to be the match winner, 1-0.
For a Derby match, the first half didn’t provide much for the spectators. Coming into the match, the two clubs had combined for 10 goals in the opening two weeks of the season. Watching the action in the first forty-five minutes, that stat would have seemed surprising. Between the two clubs, there were a grand total of two shots in the opening half, both by United.
There was even a decided lack of intensity between the players and was a relatively clean first half. It did start to pick up closer to the end of the half when Robert Coronado and Tony Alfaro both picked up yellow cards for tactical fouls. Ousman Jabang picked up one for United after a foul on Eric Calvillo. None of the results set pieces amounted to anything and the half remained scoreless, 0-0.
The action in the second half was certainly more enticing for watchers as the match really opened up. Each side took more chances and had opportunities to take the lead. Former United player Amando Moreno had a chance in the 51st to give the visitors the opener. After a turnover at midfield, Moreno was played through on the left with a chance to shoot. He took his opportunity and his shot skirted across the face of the goal, going just wide.
It took United until the 83rd minute before they finally were able to break down El Paso, who had been sitting in a low block for the entirety of the match. Mukwele Akale had been sprinting up and down the right wing for much of the afternoon, but the chances for the winger were few, as he watched multiple crosses go over his head. This time, Akale was played in low and had a chance to shoot from the right. Instead, he cut back across the middle of the box, drawing multiple defenders to their right. As he did, he laid the ball off for Greg Hurst on the left.
Hurst wasted no time and with a one-time shot, left Sebastien Mora-Mora rooted to his spot. The shot from the Scotsman rocketed into the back of the net to give United the winner, 1-0.
The closing moments of the match weren’t without drama, however. In the 84th minute, Tomas Pondeca went to ground to try and slow down an attack by Amando Moreno. In doing so, Pondeca appeared to injure his shoulder and would have to be carried off on a stretcher.
Stoppage time proved to be equally as dramatic, when a red card came out late into the added time. During the fourth minute of stoppage time, Will Seymore became entangled with Daniel Carter after a challenge. Seymore, who picked up a yellow, was standing over top of Carter, when Carter kicked out with his leg, catching Seymore and earning a straight red card for violent conduct. The card marked the second time in two matches that an El Paso player had received one, and also the second consecutive Derby match with a red card.
Player of the Match
Greg Hurst – Hurst has been the man so far this season for United. He’s picked his spots well, he’s played well in the hold up, he’s played well in the press. For his efforts, he’s now earned three goals in three matches.
Up Next
After opening the home slate with a win, United will head back on the road for two more league matches. Their next match will see United travel across the country to face The Miami FC on Saturday, March 29. That match will kick off at 5:00 P.M. (MT) from South Dade Kia Field in Miami. Catch every minute of every play all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.