New Mexico United weathered an opening twenty minutes in which the hosts had two goals called back for offside, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Hartford as they lost, 2-1.
Against Hartford, the momentum swung in the favor of the hosts from the outset as they didn’t look like a club that had been struggling offensively. In the 6th minute, Edgardo Rito appeared to put the hosts aside as he buried the ball into the net, but to his dismay and that of the home faithful, the flag had gone up for offside.
Antoine Hoppenot, a new Hartford player for 2023, appeared to have another for the hosts in the 18th, and again the stands broke out in cheers. Once again, however, the flag was up, and the goal was waved off. If not for the watchful eye of the assistant, United could have been fighting from behind fro the outset.
In between those two calls, Nicky Hernandez put United on the board, which relieved some of the pressure on the Black & Yellow. In the 13th minute Justin Portillo attempted to cross the ball into the area for what looked to be Amando Moreno. First to the ball though, was a defender from Hartford who’s attempted clearance fell to Hernandez. Nicky took a shot on the half volley that bounced off of the field turf and over the outstretched arms of the keeper and into the back right corner of the netting for the lead, 0-1.
The match would stay that way until halftime with neither side able to find another goal in the opening period of play.
Hartford never quit on the match, however. They came out of halftime with a higher press than they had shown in the first and were trying to force United into poor passes. Although United seemed to be able to handle the press, they couldn’t quite put things together at the offensive side of the pitch.
United would later concede two goals in quick succession to Makangila and Antoine Hoppenot. In the 69th Makangila would shoot from around 25 yards out and put the ball out of the reach of Alex Tambakis to pull level, 1-1.
Moments later, Hoppenot, the former Detroit City star would go nearly coast to coast and pick up the second as he slotted the ball past Tambakis to take the lead, 2-1, in the 72nd minute. From there, United threw everything they could at Hartford. Eighteen shots on the evening weren’t enough for United to prevent dropping a second straight result.
Up Next
United returns home next weekend to take on San Antonio FC in a Western Conference showdown. That match will be on Saturday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m.
