New Mexico United clinched a playoff berth last week versus Phoenix Rising FC and welcomed the Orange County SC on Saturday, Oct. 11.
United had a chance to clinch a home game in the playoffs with a win, and an El Paso loss, but it did not go as planned. Despite a 2-1 lead in the first half, United allowed two unanswered goals, which ultimately led to the game ending in a 3-3 tie.
United came into halftime with mixed results, down 3-2 and blowing a 2-1 lead after two goals by forward Greg Hurst in the 33rd and 35th minute, which gave them the advantage, but two intercepted passes allowed for goals against United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis.
It would not be long until United would tie it up at 3-3, as Kipp Keller scored his first professional goal off a headbutt via a corner kick from Defender Talen Maples.
Keller shared his thoughts on scoring his first professional goal.
“I do a lot of visualization and meditation, I did some visualization and meditation before this, I pictured it and saw it and I was like I was gonna hit one off him,” Keller said.
The player of the game for New Mexico United was Hurst.
“Good to get back on the score sheet and it’s always nice to score more than one so it's good to kind of lift the team again and get us back up, we just need to do a better job to stay ahead and kill games off,” Hurst said.
United Head Coach Dennis Sanchez spoke on Hurst's performance.
“You always want your nines getting on the scoresheet so hopefully that can build momentum with him, I still think he can, he found some dangerous spots in the buildup but obviously happy he could get on the scoresheet tonight,” Sanchez said.
Coach Sanchez was not satisfied with the game ending in a draw, and views this game as a missed opportunity, but he hopes it’s a lesson for the team.
“I think my fear all week was there is a natural level of foot off the pedal when you make the playoffs, and I think the message all week was we gotta stay focused and to secure more home playoff matchups, we know what that does for our club, we know what that means for our chances of succeeding in the playoffs,” Sanchez said. “To me it was a missed opportunity, I hope that more than anything, it’s a lesson and a wake up call of doing everything we need to do to be successful, and that’s having our foundation.”
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
With the tie, New Mexico United has not lost in their last five games, winning three and tying twice. They will attempt to keep momentum going next week vs Oakland Roots SC.
Alex Joe is a freelance videographer with The Daily Lobo. He can be reached atsports@dailylobo.com or on X at @DailyLobo
