New Mexico United (3-1-0) faced their first East Coast trip of the season against The Miami FC (0-4-0) on Saturday night. A physical first half between the sides would give way to a slow-burning second half. United didn’t leave it as late as they did against El Paso, but Fernando found a goal in the 70th minute to open his account and give United a big road win, 0-1.
The early minutes of the match were the Alex Tambakis show, being called into action early. In the 6th minute, Miami had two looks that probably should have been goals, but Tambakis’s quick reactions kept the hosts from opening the scoring. The first save came on a shot by Allen Gavilanes, who had been played a square ball by Aljando Mitrano. Gavilanes shot was directly at Tambakis, who punched the ball away, but right to Francisco Bonfiglio.
Bonfiglio got a head to the rebound, but all he could do was put it right back into the hands of Tambakis. The Greek keeper punched the second ball away again, this time clearing the danger for good.
On the ensuing corner kick, United had an opportunity at the other end. Marlon Vargas drove the action forward and played the ball out to the right for McKinze Gaines. Seeing an opportunity, Gaines sent the ball right back to a wide-open Vargas, who misplayed the ball and shot well wide of the intended target.
United’s leading scorer Greg Hurst, had a chance in the 14th and forced a save out of Bill Hamid. Working the left side of the area, Hurst picked his head up and saw a chance. Taking the ball on his left foot, the Scotsman shot from a tight angle, aiming for the bottom right corner. Hamid was able to get a hand to it and prevent the goal.
That would be the story of the half. Each time had a handful of chances, United arguably had the better looks, but it was the play of the goalkeepers that defined the 0-0 scoreline at halftime. For United, both Vargas and Ousman Jabang forced Hamid into action in order to keep the visitors off the scoresheet.
As fast-paced as the first half was, the second half was the opposite. Both sides looked more cautious and were trying not to overextend themselves. There were few chances to speak of as most of the action was kept to the middle third of the pitch. That’s where things finally changed for United.
In the 70th minute, United was able to create a turnover just inside of their own half that allowed Vargas to be sprung on a break down the center. Striding toward the Miami backline, Vargas kept his pace and his head on a swivel, looking for options as the play developed. To his left, he found Fernando and put the ball right at his feet. As he did, Hamid came off of his line to try and contest the left-footed shot and managed to get a touch, but the ball skipped over him and into the net for the lead for United, 0-1.
To maintain that score line, Tambakis had to come up with another impressive save in the 83rd minute. With a shot from distance, Miami looked to try and level the match, and the ball seemed destined for the top left corner of the net. Tambakis was there, at full stretch, to push the ball away and keep United in the lead.
There was a last gasp effort for Miami in the 90th minute when Bonfiglio managed to work his way behind the lines for United. Played through, he got all the way to the byline before attempting to shoot. Off-balance and at a tight angle the odds would have been slim, but the ball went up and over the net, without threatening Tambakis, who picked up his second clean sheet of the season in the 0-1 win.
Player of the Match
Alex Tambakis – The Greek goalkeeper has to be bound for save of the week with this performance. Six saves against a Miami club that was looking to snap a winless start to the season made a difference in the outcome of this one. From a first half sequence of two saves in ten seconds to a leaping save late in the match to preserve the lead, Tambakis deserves honors this week.
Up Next
United will stay on the road, completing the back half of another road trip. This time, the Black and Yellow will be much closer to home when they head to Colorado Springs to face off against the Switchbacks. The Switchbacks carry a 1-1-2 record into the weekend when they host a United side that has picked up six points on the road already. Coverage of that match will begin at 3 p.m. (MT) on Saturday, April 5 with the pregame show starring Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman. Following the pregame show, kickoff will be at Weidner Field at 4 p.m. (MT). Catch New Mexico United all season long, on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM apps, and The TEAM website for every minute of every play.