It wasn’t quite the result that was expected. New Mexico United (6-3-8) went into Carson, California with the wind in their sails and looking to get back on the right path in league play. LA Galaxy II (4-6-7) had different plans, however.
After the victory of FC Dallas, United found themselves looking at a match against Los Dos, who had been struggling of late. Supporters would look at this match and think of it as an opportunity for United to get an easy three points. Looking at the team sheet prior to the match, it looked that way on paper as well. With the same lineup as the FC Dallas match, most would have expected United to walk away with the win.
Los Dos came out and gave United a taste of their own medicine by employing a high press. When United uses the press, it forces their opponents into making mistakes. The same thing happened to United in this match. Several times throughout the match, the press forced United into making poor passes in their own half giving Galaxy openings to take advantage of.
Just before the half-hour mark, a run of end to end play would end up giving Los Dos a corner. Brian Iloski would deliver a perfect cross into the box for Armel-Don Tchilao. Tchilao would get his head on the ball, but the shot was blocked. In the resulting scramble, United defender Justin Schmidt would head the ball in an attempt to clear, but the ball went straight down and in range of Nicholas Dupuy. On a half volley, Dupuy’s right footed shot would find its way through the congested area and beyond the reach of Cody Mizell.
United would pull level in the 40th, once again as a result of Kevaughn Frater’s deadly left foot. Daniel Bruce would take possession of a loose ball in the defensive half of Los Dos and put United in a 3 on 2 scenario. Bruce would play a perfectly weighted pass back across the box to Frater, who would put a one time shot inside the near post for the equalizer. For Frater, it was his 11th goal of the campaign, and he moved back to the top of the Golden Boot race.
Each club would have moments in the second half where they looked dangerous, but Los Dos looked to have the more menacing attack for most of it. Despite their threats, Los Dos would only manage to be on target with three of their fifteen shots on the night. United’s attack didn’t have much danger to it as a whole on the night, but the defensive gameplan for the night gave United a much-needed point.
Player of the Match
Ethen Sampson – Sampson’s been a staple in the United back line since his debut and week after week he keeps showing why. Sampson put together an impressive line of four tackles, six clearances, and three interceptions. Limiting the Los Dos attack gave United many opportunities to take the match into their own hands.
Up Next
United finally get a much-needed week off before they will right back in the thick of their road trip. After four matches in the past 12 days, United won’t be in action again until July 6. Unfortunately for United supporters, the club will remain on the road as they take on Real Monarchs in Salt Lake City.
Beyond that, United will have another three matches on the road (not including the friendly against Cardiff City FC) before they return to The Lab. Among those matches will the be quarterfinal matchup in the U.S. Open Cup against Minnesota United. For fans interested in going, First Financial Credit Union has made a donation to help subsidize a flight for supporters to that match. Tickets will be on sale at noon on Tuesday, June 25 at noon.