Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. New Mexico United (4-1-0) picked up another late goal from a newcomer before a crowd of 10,291 at The Lab. The club struggled to get past the low block of North Carolina FC (2-2-2), but eventually, substitutes McKinze Gaines and Thomas Amang put the nail in the coffin in the 1-0 win.
North Carolina didn’t look scared against United. Inside the first thirty minutes the visitors were able to get forward and force some quick reactions out of the hosts. One of those moments came in just the 15th minute, when a low cross came screaming in from the right. Talen Maples was able to react and be the first to the ball and force it out for a corner.
Minutes later, Alex Tambakis was forced off of his line while under duress by Evan Conway. Striding forward, Conway came through the left side of the area, driving to the byline. In response, Tambakis slid out and then went to ground to make a dramatic save, and kill the attack for Conway.
United’s best chances came when they looked over the top and tried to play Mukwele Akale in behind the defense. On three separate occasions, the United winger was able to get free from the defenders and play the ball into the area. Each foray was met with disappointment, though. Each time, Akale failed to see options around him and either played the ball late or was dispossessed, ending each attack.
Even without goals, there was a fair amount of action on the pitch. Both sides picked up two yellow cards for their efforts. On the side of United, both Akale and Gedion Zelalem went into the book, Zelalem for a foul and Akale for simulation. On the North Carolina side, Rafa and Louis Perez both committed serious enough fouls to get carded.
Much of the second half was United trying their best to break down yet another club sitting in a low block. Much like against El Paso when they visited Albuquerque, North Carolina dropped all eleven players into their own half to try and defend against any attack for United. For the opening thirty minutes of the second half, they looked like they were well in control of their half of the pitch. In the 75th minute, though, Sergio Rivas subbed into the match and nearly had an instant impact.
Just after entering the match, the ball was chipped over the top for Rivas. The Albuquerque native made a leaping attempt on the ball and deftly popped it over the North Carolina keeper and into the back of the net. However, to his dismay, and that of the crowd, the offside flag was up, negating the goal.
The dagger for the visitors would finally come in the second minute of stoppage time. Finally making his debut for United, Thomas Amang subbed in during the 85th minute alongside McKinze Gaines and the duo won the match for the Black & Yellow. In the 92nd minute, United was furiously trying to find a winner when Gaines shot from the right side of the area. His shot curled back to the left and went off the knee of Amang and into the net for the match-winner, 1-0.
Player of the Match
Ousman Jabang – One of the newcomers for United, minute have been hard to come by. But in getting the start, Jabang was able to have a physical presence on the pitch. He was good from box to box and helped control the midfield for United.
Up Next
United has a quick turnaround before their next match, another one against familiar foes El Paso Locomotive FC. This time the match-up between the two clubs will be for a chance to advance in the US Open Cup. No strangers to each other in any competition, the third round match will take place on Wednesday, April 16th from the UNM Soccer Complex in Albuquerque. Coverage of that match will start with the pregame show at 6 P.M. with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman. Kickoff will get things going at 7 P.M. (MT). Catch New Mexico United all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.