After New Mexico and Las Vegas played to a 2-1 United win earlier in the season as Cashman Field, the Lights hoped to return the favor. Coming in on a 9-match unbeaten run, the Lights were a potential trap game ahead of the weekend, and it didn’t disappoint for neutrals. Las Vegas jumped to an early lead and were able to deal United their first home loss of the season, 1-2.
The concerns heading into the night about United looking flat after their recent performances came true early in the evening. Inside of the first fifteen minutes, United had a half-dozen turnovers either inside or just beyond the halfway line. Bad passes, unforced errors, and an inability to deal with the press from Las Vegas spelled trouble for the hosts.
In the 12th minute, an errant pass gave Lights a throw, right in front of the United bench. Off the throw, the back four were switched off. Their lack of awareness allowed Valentin Noel to easily get behind and look for the through ball from Grayson Doody. In stride, Noel bore down on Alex Tambakis, nutmegging United’s keeper to take the early lead, 0-1.
United’s first opportunity of the night came in the 24th when Daniel Bruce and Greg Hurst forced a turnover. At the top of the Lights’ goal area, the pair were able to steal the ball away from the visitors. Bruce looked to Hurst in the center of the area, but instead of shooting the Scotsman passed it back to Bruce. Dribbling left, Bruce finally got a shot off but lost his footing as he did, and the ball went out for a goal kick.
Another chance presented itself in the 42nd minute as United once again tried to counter. Hurst, Bruce, and Jacobo Reyes all charged down the pitch, having a numbers advantage. Hurst tried to play Reyes out to the left, but the ball ended up falling to Sergio Rivas. Rivas had trailed the other three, but the touch was too heavy and went out for a goal kick.
Five minutes into stoppage time, United finally found a quality shot. After Tony Herbert drew a foul deep in the defensive third, United sliced through the Lights, who were attempting to press. On the restart, the ball went Herbert-Tambakis-Kalen Ryden-Tambakis-Rivas-Herbert-Arturo Astorga-Hurst-Bruce. Going coast to coast, United had an opening. At the attacking end, Hurst was able to draw two defenders to the right side of the area, leaving Bruce alone at the spot. A quick square ball and a right-footed shot from Bruce equalized the scoreline, 1-1.
Bolstered by the late goal, United looked significantly more confident after the break. Coming out on the front foot, they started pressing Lights, looking to force a mistake. When it didn’t come early, Lights seemed to have weathered the storm and flipped the table on United, by pressing themselves.
At the 63rd minute, United broke the press and nearly found a header from Bruce, that went just outside the goal. A minute later, Mukwelle Akale looked to cross to the back post, where Micaletto and Reyes were hoping to come down with it. The ball was just too far ahead for United to take advantage of the moment.
The night took a turn for the worse in the 66th minute. Noel took possession and drove up the left side of the pitch, drawing both Herbert and Houssou out wide. To compensate, Ryden and Flanagan moved centrally, where Shawn Smart had made a run. A cross came in from Noel, with Smart acting as a dummy, leaving Christian Pinzon unmarked on the right side. Unchallenged, Pinzon was able to slot home and retake the lead, 1-2.
Unfortunately, United just didn’t have any ideas in the second half. They looked tired, they looked unenthusiastic. Throughout the second half, they let chances fall away and didn’t do enough to pull the Lights defenders out of position. Giveaways were another key of the night and United gave away too many unforced errors. All of these things will have to be cleaned up before the weekend when United looks to rebound from their first home loss of the season by a final of 1-2.
Player of the Match
Daniel Bruce – Bruce’s engine never stops. After playing 79 minutes on Saturday, he put in another 90 tonight, while picking up his 5th league goal of the campaign, a new career high. Bruce looked dangerous and with a little better service, he could have had a better night.
Up Next
If the level of play tonight wasn’t an eye opener for the club, they’re in for a shock on Saturday. This weekend, United will play host to Eastern Conference leaders Louisville City FC. Easily the toughest match of the season, United will have to find a way to come out better than they have in recent weeks and put together a complete performance. Coverage of Saturday’s match will begin with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman on the pregame show at 6 p.m. (MT). The pair will bring every minute of every play starting with kickoff at 7 p.m. (MT). New Mexico United can be heard all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.
