Everyone knew what was at stake on Sunday in Sacramento. The hosts, Sacramento Republic FC, were fighting to stay alive in the chase for the top four. New Mexico United had a chance to secure the No. 1 Seed in the West. Sacramento completely outplayed United in the return match from 10 days ago, dominating United on their way to a 4-0 win.
The match didn’t start well for United. Republic came out on the front foot and were more aggressive than they were in Albuquerque ten days ago. They were able to earn two corners in the opening six minutes, giving former United midfielder Justin Portillo chances to get his club off the mark. While the first didn’t result in anything, the latter was sent to the back post where Luis Felipe was able to get a head to the ball.
Although not ideal, the header, which came in the 6th minute, went off the back of Russel Cicerone. The deflection off the back was enough to direct it on frame and just inside the woodwork. A lucky bounce put the hosts ahead, 1-0.
If there was any sort of confidence within United, it was not on display in the opening twenty five minutes. The pressure continued to mount from Republic. Talen Maples came up big in the 22nd with a save off the line to keep the difference at one. But that didn’t last long as Felipe added a goal of his own in the 25th.
As United continue to invite pressure in their defensive third, Felipe got a chance to shoot from outside the area. A pass from Juan Herrera put Felipe in the spot to shoot as he went to the bottom left corner with his right foot. Felipe had enough on it to put the ball past Alex Tambakis to extend the lead, 2-0.
After halftime, United was forced into an early substitution. In the 47th minute, Portillo launched his body into the air and clattered into Abdi Mohamed deep in the Republic defensive third. The collision caused an injury to Mohamed, forcing United to bring on Nicky Hernandez. Despite calling a foul for the interaction, the referee did not see enough for there to be a yellow card.
Sacramento wasn’t content to settle for two goals. They continue to push and coming out of the injury, they got forward quickly and created a chance from the right for Sebastian Herrera in the 54th. Herrera put a shot on frame, forcing a great save out of Tambakis. The tremendous, leaping effort from the goalkeeper was for naught, as the ball fell to Aldair Sanchez at the back post, who was able to slot home for a third, 3-0.
It just wasn’t United’s night. Coach Eric Quill made a trio of changes around the hour mark, but it didn’t matter. After another great save was made by Tambakis in the 69th minute at the behest of a shot by Cicerone, Republic recycled tha ball and had another great chance immediately. Jack Gurr would stride forward with the ball and pick out Kieran Phillips, who was unmarked in the goal area. Phillips easily tapped the ball in for a fourth, 4-0.
That’s where the scoreline would stay, Republic coasted to the easy win over New Mexico, preventing them from clinching the top seed in the West.
Player of the Match
Luis Felipe – Felipe had two goal contributions on the night, a goal and assist to his credit. He was difficult to contain and made United pay in the defensive third.
Up Next
United heads back to The Lab, but not until Wednesday, October 9. They’ll have a week and a half to stew on the performance tonight and figure out what adjustments they need to make before they face Phoenix Rising FC. With United not being in action this weekend, fans will want to pay attention to matches between San Antonio and Sacramento as well as the matches that include Orange County. OC will play both Colorado Springs and Las Vegas between now and the 9th. Each of those matches could impact what United needs to clinch. But the simple answer will be, win. 63 points still guarantees United the top seed, but with four matches left, it’s still up in the air.