Loudoun United was fighting for their playoff lives as they headed into Albuquerque. New Mexico United was looking to strengthen their grip on the top spot in the West. Despite moments for both clubs where they each looked as though they could pick a goal out, it was an own goal that was the undoing for Loudoun as United picked up back-to-back wins at The Lab, 1-0.
With a highly rotated side, United looked as if they were trying to make sure players were ready for the showdown with Sacramento Republic in a week’s time. There were seven changes to the team sheet from the midweek match against Republic, including a change in the net. Prior to the match, United announced the signing of Jermaine Fordah to a 25-day contract. The signing, after the roster freeze date, is permitted under the league’s emergency goalkeeper allowance. When it came to the start of the match, Kris Shakes, the former Nittany Lion, was between the sticks in place of Alex Tambakis.
The last time that Shakes started in league play was the 4-0 loss to Battery back at the start of the year. It left open the question of what would happen with Shakes in charge this time. Things got off to a slow start at the defensive end, allowing Shakes and the defense to settle in.
At the offensive end, United had the first chance for either club in the 9th minute of the match. Getting forward on a break, Jacobo Reyes fired a shot that would rattle the crossbar before falling to defender Keegan Hughes. Hughes for some reason tried to head the ball back toward his own goal. Hughes’ header looped over goalkeeper Hugo Faroux and into the net for an own goal, giving United the lead, 1-0.
It wasn’t all good for United in the first half. Within thirty-one minutes, both starting centrebacks, Kalen Ryden and Will Seymore, managed to pick up yellow cards. Defenders picking up cards is always a tough spot to be in, but getting them early meant that they had to adjust their defending for the rest of the match.
Loudoun looked better coming out of the second half, even more so after the introduction of Tommy Williamson. Williamson came into the match in the 62nd minute and seconds later nearly had a goal for the visitors. Played into the area, Williamson was able to quickly turn and fire, forcing Shakes to react and punch the ball away. Between Williamson and Florian Valot, the visitors would get a few more close chances to grab a goal of their own, but couldn’t find the frame.
United had a chance of their own to ice the match in the 84th minute. Daniel Bruce found a chance to cross the ball from the right side of the area across to the waiting Greg Hurst. On the volley, Hurst fired at the goal, forcing a great save from Faroux to maintain the scoreline.
Near the death, Shakes made what was possibly the play of the match. As Loudoun was pushing for a late goal, a headed ball appeared to be going out for a corner when Shakes lept to keep the ball in play and squeeze out the final few seconds of the match.
Player of the Match
Kris Shakes – In his second league start for United, Shakes had a far better performance than in his first. Shakes looked confident and in control of a match against an opponent fighting for their playoff lives. With 4 saves and 14 recoveries, Shakes picked up his first career clean sheet.
Up Next
With the win, United is now 12 points clear of second place with only five matches left in their season. As it stands, United’s path to the first seed is theirs to lose. They currently sit two points away from guaranteeing a top four finish and six points away from guaranteeing the number one seed in the West. There are two matches of note next weekend for United. First is Loudoun against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. The other is United’s match against Sacramento Republic FC. If Colorado fails to win against Loudoun, a win for United against Sacramento would guarantee them home field advantage throughout the West playoffs.
Coverage of United’s match against Sacramento Republic will begin at 3:30 p.m. (MT) with the pregame show starring Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman. Following the pregame show, the match will kickoff at 4:30 p.m. (MT) from Heart Health Park. Catch every minute of every play of New Mexico United’s season on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.