It was billed as a clash between the top two clubs in the West. For the first half of the night, New Mexico United and Sacramento Republic FC traded punches without breaking open the scoring. The second half was all about New Mexico as they unleashed with three unanswered goals to dominate the visitors and earn their way into the playoffs with a 3-1 win.
New Mexico and Sacramento both looked like they wanted three points in this one. Sacramento was hoping to take advantage of the matches in hand and try to cut the gap to the top. United was hoping to clinch a berth in the 2024 USL Playoffs. All they needed was a win and that would be done.
Sacramento was the early aggressor getting some chances in the opening quarter hour that forced Alex Tambakis into action early and often. They would maintain that aggression throughout the half and end up forcing the Greek goalkeeper to make four massive saves. The best of those was a kick save in the 23rd minute.
United’s best chance came by way of a break by Greg Hurst in the 21st minute. The chance came after another save by Tambakis was cleared into the Republic defensive half. As defender Lee Desmond tried to make a play on the ball, he lost his footing, allowing the ball to drop where only Hurst could get to it. Striding into the area, the Scot had Vitiello in a one-on-one, but as he shot he lost his footing and put the ball into the outside of the net.
It took until the hour mark before the scoreline finally broke. As United was looking to play out of the back, Chris Gloster was taken down deep in United’s own half which slowed things enough for United to gather themselves for a concerted push forward. picking their way forward, Marco Micaletto drew another foul aroudn 27 yards away from goal in the 60th and United set up for a set piece in a dangerous area.
Both Micaletto and Mukwelle Akale stood over the ball, giving United options on how to deliver the ball. It was the left foot of Akale that put the ball over the heads of the Sacramento defenders and dipping for Abdi Mohamed. Mohamed became unmarked and elevated to try and direct the header toward goal. The ball couldn’t have been better placed as it flew into the upper right corner, past Danny Vitiello for the lead, 1-0.
Hurst would double the lead for United in the 66th minute after he was played through by Sergio Rivas. In a redemption moment Hurst had another one-on-one with Vitiello and initially the keeper had the better of the moment by making a save on the first shot. The rebound fell right back to Hurst, who tapped it in for his 10th goal of the season, 2-0 United.
His personal drought at The Lab over, Hurst wasn’t done. Another goal in the 74th minute would give the Scotsman a brace and put the match away for United. This one was the result of an interception at midfield by Zico Bailey. After picking off a pass, Bailey found Akale on the right side of the area. Akale drew some attention his way, leaving a passing lane open to get the ball to Hurst on the left. Shooting with his left, Hurst went across the face of Vitiello and powered the ball past the keeper to extend the lead once again, 3-0.
Republic was able to spoil the clean sheet in the first minute of stoppage time as a consolation for going on the road. Kieran Phillips headed the ball forward from near the center circle for Juan Herrera, who was left alone. United appealed for an offside call, but the flag stayed down. Herrera charged into the area and chipped the ball over the right hand of Tambakis to pull one back before the final whistle, 3-1.
Player of the Match
Greg Hurst – Hurst snapped his goalless streak at The Lab and notched his 10th and 11th goals of the season. Hurst was explosive from the 10 spot and was able to work around defenders all night. He didn’t let an early slip get to him as he led United to a win.
Up Next
With the win United became the first club in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot. They also extended the lead in the West back to 10 points over both Republic and Colorado Springs. As it stands right now, Republic can get a maximum of 65 points and United can reach 72. This means that with 12 points, United would guarantee themselves the top seed in the West. All of that can change depending on the results from around the conference this weekend.
United is back in action on Sunday when they face Loudoun United in their final cross-conference match of the season. That match will kickoff from The Lab at 2 p.m. (MT). Due to coverage of the Dallas Cowboys, the match can be followed live on ESPN+ or on The TEAM’s X feed.