Winning and confidence are contagious. New Mexico United (7-0-3) headed to Oakland to face off against Oakland Roots SC (3-1-7) at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum with a chance to rebuild a winning streak. They did just that. A fast start got United out to a two-goal lead within six minutes, and they never looked back.
Getting back to winning ways last week seemed to instill New Mexico United with whatever confidence they lost in the weeks prior. Against Oakland, United was able to turn an early set piece into the fastest goal of the season for the club. After winning the first corner of the match, Mukwelle Akale delivered the ball to the back post, where three United players all lost their markers. Chris Gloster was the first to the ball, and the defender put his header into the bottom left corner, 0-1 to United.
United’s second fastest goal of the season would come just minutes later. In the 6th, Akale would force a turnover right in front of the Oakland bench. Despite not being credited with an assist, Akale managed to get the ball to Zico Bailey, who was sitting to the right of goal. With a quick turn, Bailey sent a right-footed shot past Raphael Spiegel, doubling the lead, 0-2.
Even though their backs were against the wall, the Roots showed an impressive level of fight. Throughout the half, Wolfgang Prentice and Peter Wilson kept finding ways to break through the United defense. Wilson, playing through the middle, had chances to bring the hosts back within striking distance on multiple occasions. One such attempt came in the 31st minute, when Wilson was through and had a chance to go one-on-one with Alex Tambakis. A clean strike would normally have a chance of making it into the net. The location of the shot left much to be desired as it was directly to Tambakis.
There were chances for United to extend the lead even further before the break, but they couldn’t quite take advantage of them. Just before the half, Akale found himself wide open on the right in the 43rd minute. Chesting the ball down, Akale couldn’t pull the trigger on a shot himself, but laid the ball off to Jaylin Lindsey, who dragged the shot wide left.
Energized after their play for the final half hour of the first half, the Roots created two chances in the opening minute of the second. Twice they were able to push into the goal area of United and forced the defenders to make big stops. The latter of the attempts came from Wilson, and was pushed away by Talen Maples.
For much of the second half, United was content to try and maintain possession and absorb the pressure from an adjusted Roots game plan. The possession flipped almost the reverse of the first half, with the Roots trying to press and find a way back into the match. They looked dangerous and forced United to play facing their own goal more than they would have liked. But the defense and Tambakis held firm.
It took until the 89th minute, but Akale would finally get his goal. A defensive miscue by Roots saw substitute Daniel Bruce end up with the ball in the attacking half. Head up, Bruce was able to pick out the streaking Akale on the right side of the area, having switched back after Fernando left the match. One touch later, Akale cooly nutmegged Spiegel with his right-footed shot and put the match on ice, 0-3.
For the second time in as many weeks, Coach Dennis Sanchez gave a debut to an Academy player from New Mexico. After signing a contract last week, Bodie Ford was given his first professional minutes, and acquitted himself well in the brief appearance.
Player of the Match
Mukwelle Akale – One goal, one assist (really should have been two), two more chances created, and 90-plus minutes of effort. Akale was the engine for United in Oakland. His movement on and off the ball created plenty of problems for the Roots.
Up Next
With back-to-back wins in league play, United may have figured out some of the issues that plagued them in the prior two weeks. Next up, United remains on the road, this time for their second group match in the Jaegermeister Cup. This time out, United will travel to Phoenix to take on Phoenix Rising FC. United currently sits atop the group in the Tournament and a win here would put them squarely in the driver’s seat to advance. Coverage of that match will begin at 7 p.m. with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman on the pregame show. Kickoff from Phoenix will follow at 8 p.m. Catch every minute of every play all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM apps, and The TEAM website.