New Mexico United was hoping to build upon the confidence that seemed to be there at the end of Sunday’s match. Instead, FC Tulsa came into Albuquerque in form and looking to slide back into the playoff hunt. United ended up having to fight from behind to salvage a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
After a slow start in the previous weeks, United knew that they needed to get out to a strong start back at The Lab. With two consecutive losses, a statement was needed to regain some of the mystique of their home pitch. United had to weather an early corner opportunity, but they took it and were able to go on a break the other way.
Picking apart the passing lanes, Marco Micaletto took the ball into Tulsa’s half before finding Jacobo Reyes in the 3rd minute. Striding toward goal, Reyes took a chance from 21 yards out and was able to punch it past the keeper, Johan Penaranda, for the early lead, 1-0.
Despite being on the front foot, United started playing reactively after a harsh foul by Boubacar Diallo on Nicky Hernandez went under-punished in the eyes of some. A late, high tackle took down Hernandez and things started to simmer. When Micaletto gave away a free kick in the defensive third in the 15th, it set up Tulsa with a chance to go for goal.
Diogo Pacheco delivered the ball into the area, where United would get burned by a former player. Alexis Souahy put a head to the ball and went to the bottom left corner. Diving to his right, Alex Tambakis managed to get his hands on the ball, but couldn’t stop it from going in for the equalizer, 1-1.
Just when United supporters thought the club was out of it’s penalty woes, they struck again. In the 20th minute, Avionne Flanagan squared up with Owen Damm inside the goal area. Flanagan’s footwork would draw Damm in and as he cut left, the defender’s leg caught and gave up a penalty to United. Greg Hurst was given the chance to try and convert, but his run up cost him dearly and lost all pace on his shot and it was easily saved.
That failed penalty seemed to have a positive effect on Tulsa. They were looking to get forward, still pressing through the left wing. Although United did well to slow that down early, the continued forays up that way allowed the visitors to jump ahead in the 44th. Diallo drifted wide and put in a great cross for an unmarked Souahy. The defender headed the ball down and into the bottom right corner, without an attempted save by Tambakis, 1-2.
Seconds later, United inexplicably gave up another goal. Just as the match inched into stoppage time, Abdi Mohammed failed to clear the ball out of the area and it went right to Tulsa. Stefan Stojanovic settled the ball before sending it left to Diogo Pacheco. The midfielder has plenty of time to line up his shot and put it past Tambakis to extend the lead, 1-3.
The nervous moments to start the second half for United quickly gave way to a sense of urgency. As the clock passed the 50 minute mark, Reyes drifted wide and crossed the ball to the back post for Hurst. Instead of going for goal, the Scot headed the ball back into a more central area and to the feet of Harry Swartz, who tapped the ball in for his second goal in two matches, narrowing the lead, 2-3.
Now within striking distance, United started pinning their ears back and forcing their way forward. The aggression resulted in Tulsa beginning to make some mistakes in their own half, including in the 63rd minute, when a turnover was created by Swartz. After picking the pocket of Damm, Swartz took matters into his own hands and drove at the Tulsa defense. Just outside of the box, Swartz sent a rocket into the top right corner for the equalizer, 3-3.
Hoping to put the matter to rest in regulation, United had chances to break in both the 85th and 87th minutes. In the earlier attempt, Abdi Mohammed put a cross in from the right side as he had free runners at the far post. Unfortunately, the ball was lifted too much and no one could get on the end of it. A similar break in the 87th saw Mukwelle Akale ricochet a ball off of the woodwork, inches away from being a match-winner.
Player of the Match
Harry Swartz – Welcome back, Harry! Three goals in two matches since his return and he has had an immediate impact on this club. His positioning and decision-making was on point and carried the club.
Up Next
The long week for United continues. They’ve got another quick turnaround before the match on Saturday against Monterey Bay FC. Monterey come into the match sitting 9th in the table and are winless in four straight matches. Coverage of the match will begin with the pregame show with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman at 6 p.m. (MT) followed by kickoff at 7 p.m. Catch every minute of every play all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.