Following a win vs Sacramento Republic FC during USL Championship action, New Mexico United was back at home to face Atlante FC in an international friendly on Wednesday, July 1. The game turned out to be a very competitive shootout, with United going blow for blow in a 3-3 draw. This game was about the resilience of New Mexico, who made a comeback not once, but twice to end even.
“I love the guys’ response tonight, going down twice in the game and responding right away, especially in the first half,” United Head Coach Dennis Sanchez said. “I think 3-3 is probably a pretty fair result for everybody tonight.”
Atlante FC struck first in the 19th minute to give themselves a 1-0 lead. New Mexico’s offense woke up in a fury to end the first half as they responded with two goals in the final 8 minutes before the break: forward Greg Hurst put New Mexico on the board to tie it in the 37th minute, and three minutes later, forward Joseph Melto put United in the lead in his first career start for the club.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Melto said. “I’ve been through injury, and just coming back, making my debut and making a great impact — it feels great.”
It was not completely friendly in the 2nd half, as Atlante Head Hoach Miguel Herrera was tossed out of the game two minutes after Atlante forward Luis Puente received a red card in the 63rd minute. The game was delayed for a short period as Herrera made his way to the third base dugout at Isotopes Park.
“I don’t speak Spanish, but it didn’t look pleasant,” Coach Sanchez said when asked about the ejection.
Alante FC looked to have stolen the game late as they rallied to take the lead in the 88th minute, but the 2026 state boys soccer Gatorade Player of the Year Winston Starr would not be denied during his first United action, scoring the game-tying goal shortly after.
“I was here at the first ever New Mexico United game as a kid, and I always wanted to be on this field representing this state. To represent it tonight and score a goal was amazing,” Starr said. “It’s a great feeling to know that I can play at this level, I know there’s still a lot more work to do, so I’ll just keep grinding until my time comes.”
After the draw in regulation, both teams would work on their penalty kicks, where Atlante FC would get the edge 5-4.
New Mexico United will next take on El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday, July 11, in an away Prinx Tires USL Cup match after winning at home on July 4 against Oakland Roots SC, 2-1 — the highest-attended home game for the United since 2019.
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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