ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico United are one step closer to glory in the USL Championship after a 2-0 home playoff win at The Lab.
United kept the dousing on heavy to extinguish Phoenix Rising’s flame. After a two-hour rain delay, United won with two goals in the first 48 minutes and a heavy defense that backed Rising into two red cards.
Only 6 and a half minutes into the match, Greg Hurst gets set up beautifully. He tapped in the goal and became United’s all-time goal scoring leader. He gave the club a 1-0 lead they took into the half.
Jumping to the second half, Jake LaCava took a shot to the post and sunk his first career goal.
After LaCava’s goal in the 48th minute, Phoenix Rising fought hard – maybe too hard. Refs gave red cards to Jean Eric Moursou in the 52nd minute and Gunnar Studenthofft in the 75th minute.
Ultimately, United won 2-0. Coach Dennis Sanchez credited fans for sticking it out to support the club through the weather.
“Every win, regardless of who we’re playing, playing at home is special. On a night like tonight where it was delayed for, what, two plus hours? Look, we’re the real ones there. Day one. They’re lifers. We feel their love, we feel their support. We felt like last year, you know, our experience in Tulsa especially, like, having home field advantage was so, so vital. And we’re going to continue to take advantage of that,” Sanchez said.
United will now move on to the semifinals to face Colorado Springs next Saturday, back at The Lab.
