For a club that was playing in its inaugural match, Rhode Island gave New Mexico United everything they had to give. It nearly wasn’t enough for the hosts, but in the closing minutes they picked up goal to earn their first ever positive result in the USL, with a 1-1 draw.
From the jump, Rhode Island was on the front foot. They looked dangerous and were, to the eye, the aggressors throughout the first half. Outside of an attempt on goal by United in the 11th minute, the Black & Yellow didn’t have a lot going for them. Newcomer Avione Flanagan was found in space after a free kick for United and he drove into the left side of the box. Taking a chance, Flanagan shot on goal, but the ball was blocked by Grant Stoneman.
Rhode Island’s pressure was forcing United to play deep throughout the half and struggled to put together any sort of attack. Their play was frantic as best and at times looked completely chaotic. The inability to drive Rhode Island back led to a moment where it looked like the hosts would get their first regular season goal in club history. In the 32nd minute, Clay Holstad pulled the ball down and shot from outside the box.
The attempt was well-struck and looked like a certain goal, rooting Alex Tambakis to the ground. Fortunately for the Greek keeper, the ball was inches wide and struck off the left post.
It would look like deja vu for Holstad just before halftime when another ball fell to his feet. From a similar position as the first, Holstad’s second attempt dipped down and struck the underside of the crossbar, and bounced clear of goal. After two close calls, United was lucky to escape the first half with the score line still at 0-0.
United looked more composed in the second half, but the press from the hosts was still there. United tried to find ways to break the press and was successful at times, but it wasn’t the same performance as last week at home.
While the attacks showed more promise, it wouldn’t be until after the hour mark that the deadlock would be broken.
After winning a foul around 30 yards out, Marco Micoletto stood over the ball and delivered it to the back post in the 68th. Sergio Rivas was there and attempted a header at the nearest post to him. The attempt was saved by Koke Vegas, but the ball took a friendly fall. Talen Maples was there in the box to clean up the loose ball and tap it in for the lead in the match and his first with the club, 0-1.
Now with some momentum, United was on the hunt for a second goal. The shots were beginning to come, but no one could find home. Then, with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Rhode Island found themselves and went back on the attack, hoping to at least salvage a point in their home debut.
As has been the case for United throughout much of their history, stoppage time goals have been a problem. It came back to haunt them again against Rhode Island.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Noah Fuson whipped a cross to the back post where Marc Doyle was able to get just enough of a touch on the ball to push it past Tambakis to level the score, 1-1.
Player of the Match
Alex Tambakis – You can’t say more about the performance of Tambakis. In the closing minutes, he made crucial saves and it was only a fluke goal (later credited as an own goal to Chris Gloster) that undid the day for United. Tambakis finished the day with 9 saves and was critical in giving United the opportunity to walk out of Rhode Island with three more points.
Up Next
United continues their first road trip of the season as they stay on the east coast to face off against Charleston Battery. That match will take place on Saturday, March 23 with kickoff scheduled at 5:30 PM (MDT). Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman will be on the call for ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, on The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.