With one final match in hand, New Mexico United needed to do something to help their lead in the West. In what could have been a trap game against Monterey Bay FC, the club came out and scored three goals in their third straight league match in order to pick up the win, 3-2, and extend the lead in the West to seven points.
After an opening-minute corner from United didn’t work out in their favor, it looked like the match might be off to the races. However, the match slowed as both sides tried to feel each out. New Mexico was trying to work the ball from different angles, primarily from the left wing with Chris Gloster trying to get forward.
Early on, Glost and Daniel Bruce had a few moments where it looked like United might be able to break through. In the 10th a chip came in from the left, leading Bruce between the defenders. He was able to get a toe onto the ball, but not enough to get it past the capable Antony Siaha.
In the 11th, United tried a new way forward, through the middle with Mukwelle Akale, our player to watch this weekend. Hoping to split the defenders, Akale got collapsed on before drawing a foul at the top of the area. Akale stood over the ball and seeing where Siaha was lined up, to the right side of the goal, he drove the ball into the back left side of the netting to take the lead, 1-0.
The match settled into an uneasy rhythm of United getting forward and pushing the limits of the Monterey defense before turning the ball over. Those turnovers saw the visitors push up the wings to try and spread United’s central defenders on the evening, Will Seymore and Kalen Ryden. The pair did well to slow down the attacks, but the visitors weren’t without their chances.
It felt as though the match could go either way until United found a second goal in the 28th minute. With possession deep in the attacking half, Sergio Rivas chipped the ball over the back line and right to the feet of Jacobo Reyes. Reyes quickly decided to pull the trigger and slotted past Siaha with his right foot to double the lead, 2-0.
United had the momentum and appeared to have things well in hand. Monterey had other ideas, however. As they worked their way up the pitch, they were patient and found spaces to play the ball through until they managed to work the ball wide to Morey Doner in the 34th. Left all alone, he had time to pick out the pass that he wanted. In the middle of the area, he had Alex Dixon between Arturo Astorga and Ryden. Ryden seemed unaware that Dixon was behind him and was a step too slow to get to the ball. Dixon was able to easily slot home to cut the lead, 2-1.
United had a chance to reclaim the difference in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Marco Micaletto found Astorga at the near post. Astorga headed the ball square and Akale tried for a diving header. As he tried to play the ball, Alex Lara kicked out and appeared to hit Akale in the head. The referee decided there was no foul to be had and the half ended with United ahead, 2-1.
The second half didn’t start with much gusto, but around the hour mark, United started asking questions of the Monterey defense. Twice in quick succession, United put quality crosses into the area for Bruce, who had he been a foot taller could have had some great chances at goal.
A third goal would finally come in the 78th minute thanks to Ryden. After subbing on only minutes earlier Nannan Houssou charged at the byline and won United a corner. Given the job of delivering the set pieces this season, Akale had another chance to shine. He put the ball to the back post where Ryden towered above the defenders and dropped a header into the bottom right corner to extend the lead once again, 3-1.
Monterey refused to go quietly into the night and insisted on making it a fight for the Black & Yellow. Ten minutes later in the 88th, Xavi Gnaulati would play the ball across the top of the box from the left. Rebollar took the ball and turned to the right side of the area. With a sliver of space, Rebollar tested Tambakis and bested the Greek cutting the lead, 3-2.
That’s the way the match would end. Despite their best efforts, Monterey couldn’t threaten the goal again for the rest of the night.
Player of the Match
Mukwelle Akale – Our player to watch this week lived up to the projection. Akale got things started with a tremendous set piece goal and added to his contributions with an assist off of a corner late. If not for a boot to the head, Akale had a very real chance at another before the end of the first half. He looked dynamic and guided United to an important three points.
Up Next
With the most grueling stretch of the season behind them, United is celebrating a few milestones. The win was the 14th of the season, a new season season club record. They also set the mark for the first time ever scoring 3+ goals in three straight league matches. This is a club well positioned for the stretch run heading up to the playoffs. Up next, they go back on the road to see familiar foes, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. That match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 24 at Weidner Field. Coverage of that match will begin at 6 p.m. (MT) with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman on the pregame show. Kickoff will follow at 7 p.m. (MT). Catch every minute of every play this season on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.