Following a win versus AV Alta FC in the Prinx Tires USL Cup, New Mexico United were back at it at home for two big matchups between the El Paso Locomotive FC on Star Wars Night on Wednesday, May 6, and the Las Vegas Lights FC on Country Night, Saturday, May 9.
United forward Greg Hurst used the power of the force to score his first two goals of the season, both in the first half versus the Locomotive on May 6.
“It took six games to get a goal, and I managed to get two, but I've never lost any confidence,” Hurst said.
After a solid start, the United let their foot off the gas in the second half, allowing a game-tying goal in the 86th-minute. The game would result in a 2-2 draw.
“When you have momentum, you can't give up goals against the run of play, which was very much the first goal of the game,” United Head Coach Dennis Sanchez said. ”Great response from the guys, but you really should be 2-0 at a minimum at halftime, and then it gives you a little bit more security. So something we'll learn from, really like the first half. Thought we did enough to get three points, but credit to El Paso.”
Following the draw with El Paso, United shifted their attention to the Las Vegas Lights on Saturday. Following 2 goals in the second half, United managed to pull away with a 3-1 win.
New Mexico once again controlled the majority of the first half, but could not find their shot until the 34-minute mark, when forward Niall Reid-Stephen broke the scoreless tie following an assist from midfielder Zico Bailey. Las Vegas would tie it up 1-1 going into halftime.
Less than 10 minutes after halftime, New Mexico defender Ousman Jabang scored the go-ahead goal for the United to retake the lead 2-1.The Lights looked too bright for Las Vegas and their defense, and the United pulled away in the second half following a goal from midfielder Zico Bailey in the seventy third minute.
“I think we played a good first half against El Paso. We were disappointed with the second half that we had, so we wanted to right our wrongs in this game. That was the mindset we had,” Bailey said.
New Mexico United will take their momentum on the road next week at Weidner Field to face the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in more Prinx Tires USL Cup competition on May 16.
Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
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