After being pushed back thirty minutes, New Mexico United and Phoenix Rising FC didn’t disappoint in USL After Dark. The two rivals went back and forth in the second match of the Jagermeister Cup group stage, each side notching three goals in regulation. After going to penalties, it was the play of Patrick Rakovsky, who made three consecutive saves, that made the difference as Rising picked up two points with the penalty shoot-out win, 3 (3) – 3 (2).
The first tally of the match came inside the opening fifteen minutes of play between the two rivals. After a nervous opening ten minutes, United got forward in the 13th with a chance for Mukwelle Akale to cut across the top of the area. Slicing to his left, John Scearce took Akale down just outside the goal area. Looking straight at the Rising keeper, Patrick Rakovsky, Akale faced a difficult up-and-down if he went for goal. He took that chance and buried the shot into the right corner of the net for the lead, 0-1.
Phoenix didn’t make life easy for United. Their press put United into a tough position throughout the opening period and created some turnovers in their favor. One of those turnovers resulted in a penalty late in the first half. After taking possession near midfield, Darius Johnson worked his way into the left side of the box and drew a penalty from Jalyin Lindsey in the 39th. Ihsan Sacko was the man to take the attempt and he calmly slotted the ball into the top right corner to level the score, 1-1.
That equalizer woke up Rising. Minutes later, they were able to put more pressure on the back line of United and Alex Tambakis. In the second minute of stoppage time, Jearl Margaritha was able to get forward on the right, which caused all kinds of confusion for United. He managed to cross the ball in, but not until after he drew Tambakis off of the line. The cross would loop over and fall to Hope Aveyevu, who headed the ball in for the lead, 2-1.
A slow start to the second half finally gave way after ten minutes of play. United was struggling to get forward or find ways behind the press from Rising. In the 57th, they finally strung together a few passes and Chris Gloster had a chance to pick out a pass for either Akale or Fernando. The chipped pass fell over the back line for Fernando, who was able to settle and punch the ball into the right side of the net, squaring the match, 2-2.
That goal, and the subsequent subs for United, completely changed the energy of the match. United then looked the more athletic and energetic of the sides, and Rising began to drop hands to knees, having just come off a match on Wednesday. Squad rotation and a number of injuries left them with an academy player, Braxton Montgomery, getting a start on the back line. Montgomery would make a significant mistake in the 64th that gave United another goal.
Trying to play out of the back, Montgomery made a poor pass in his own defensive third that was intercepted by Marlon Vargas. Vargas quickly found McKinze Gaines in the middle of the area, who was able to easily beat Rakovsky and put United back ahead, 2-3.
Tired legs under them, momentum behind them, Rising wasn’t done. Having been gifted a corner in the 70th minute, Rising looked to have another ideal set-piece situation. Aveyevu was sent to stand over the corner and put it perfectly into the box. Inside the box, United came apart. Both Scearce and Noble Okello came unmarked, but the ball fell to Scearce, who was credited with a header into the right side of the goal, 3-3.
Regulation would end with the sides tied, sending the match to penalties. Patrick Rakovsky came up big for Rising, saving the first three attempts that United took. On the flip side, Rising scored their first two before Tambakis saved attempts three and four. Will Seymore was the first United player to slot home in the penalties, leaving United behind, 2-1, going into the final round of kicks. Kalen Ryden would push United to 2-2, but Sacko scored the fifth take for Rising to give them the shoot-out win, 3 (3) – 3 (2). That result would give United one point and Rising two in Cup play.
Player of the Match
Mukwelle Akale – Akale was one of the bright spots for United on the night. He earned himself another goal and looked to be the most creative and dangerous of United’s players on the evening.
Up Next
Following three consecutive road matches, United is finally back at The Lab. The league season will continue on Saturday, June 7th when United gets to host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. The Switchbacks are coming into Albuquerque with a win over El Paso in the Jagermeister Cup. Coverage of that match will begin with the pregame show starring Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman at 6 p.m.. The match itself will kickoff at 7 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.