New Mexico United had not been playing well. Neither had Las Vegas Lights FC. Both needed to earn points to keep pace in the West and try to bolster their chances as the end of the season nears. United would strike first thanks to Valentin Noël, but a second-half red card for Talen Maples, saw the club fall behind and have to make up ground once again. Ultimately, through grit and determination, United earned a hard point in a 2-2 draw.
United needed to make a statement in their return to The Lab for the first time since July 12th, when they lost to Charleston Battery, 1-2. Including that match, United had been outscored 13-5 in the lead-up to the match with Las Vegas, which was all the more reason they needed to get out to a fast start against a Las Vegas side that has struggled to find the net all season.
After a missed opportunity in the first minute, United didn’t waste the next one in the 5th. Las Vegas goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena made an interesting decision to put the ball into touch deep in his club’s defensive third, allowing United a chance at a dangerous throw-in. Greg Hurst quickly grabbed the ball and threw it to the feet of Valentin Noël. As he did, Arozarena didn’t retreat enough, allowing Noël time to line up a shot from nearly 25 yards out. The ball floated over and dipped beyond the keeper’s reach and into the right netting for the lead, 1-0.
Always the scrappy club, Las Vegas kept itself in the match and challenged Kris Shakes early. Shakes was looking to rebound from the performance against FC Tulsa, in which he surrendered five goals to the opponents. He acquitted himself well in the first challenge he faced when Christopher Pearson turned a shot loose from twenty yards in the 10th minute. Leaping to his right, Shakes made a tremendous save, punching the ball clear.
Winning a corner kick just two minutes later, Vegas would change that narrative.
Staring in from the near corner, Ginnaro Nigro delivered a ball to the center of the goal area in the 12th minute. On the receiving end was former United centreback, Tony Herbert. Using his size to his advantage, Herbert leapt above the United defenders and headed the ball down into the pitch. Bouncing up, the ball eluded the reach of Shakes and into the net to level the match, 1-1.
The Lights were trying to play the ball into the middle of the pitch for Johnny Rodriguez and managed to get him some chances to look at goal, but the visitors weren’t able to challenge Shakes again in the half. United nearly had a second goal in the 44th when Ousman Jabang linked up with Noel at the top of the goal area. The ball was well-weighted and Noel shot from the top of the box. The attempt dragged just wide left of the goal, inches from putting United back ahead.
At halftime, Head Coach Dennis Sanchez elected to use the first of his five available substitutions to bring on Talen Maples, who failed to start for the first time this season, and Dayonn Harris. Maples slotted into his usual spot at centreback and looked initially like he was going to ease the minds of supporters. Maples’ night was to be short-lived, however. After coming into the match, Maples would pick up a yellow card in the 64th minute for dissent after a foul in the defensive half. Less than two minutes later, Maples challenged for a ball that Coleman Gannon was bearing down on. The challenge was deemed dangerous by the referee, earning Maples a second yellow and an early exit from the match.
Down to ten players, United would be hard-pressed to get a win against Las Vegas, and that task was made even harder when the Lights notched a second goal in the 74th minute. Taking advantage of the extra man, Las Vegas was able to spread the defense and create a chance from a cross into the area by Jonathan Rodriguez for Nighte Pickering. Pickering found a spot and was able to play the ball around Shakes and finished for the lead, 1-2.
Running out of toptions and out of time, United suddenly kicked the intensity into high gear. From about the 75th minute on, United didn’t stop going forward. Desperate for an equalizer, which would bring them back above the playoff line, the entries into the final third increased dramatically. Chances began to come, but they were repeatedly rebuffed by blocks or deflections, narrowly trimming United’s time to have an impact. Finally, in the 87th minute, Zico Bailey had just the slightest touch on the ball after it was played forward. That touch was just enough to lay it off for Thomas Amang. Amang would cut left, causing Herbert to slip, and open up a chance for the forward. Calmly, Amang slotted the ball home, squaring the match, 2-2.
That’s as close as they would come. A valiant effort after having gone down to 10 men, but it wasn’t enough to pick up a win. United did earn a point, their first since their win over San Antonio on June 21.
Extra Time –
The match at The Lab was an important one for United for two other reasons. The first that the match was the 100th home match in United’s history.
The other was that the club was set to honor Chris Wehan, one of the original signings for New Mexico United. Wehan and his family were in attendance as a video tribute played on the board at halftime, with messages from former players and coaches – Jeremy Fishbein, Troy Lesesne, Austin Yearwood, and others. Wehan finished his career with United with 37 goals, 18 assists, and 102 matches played for the Black & Yellow.
Match Attendance –11,581
Player of the Match
Valentin Noël – The newcomer to the club continues to impress in his short time with the club. Two goals in under a month with the Black & Yellow show that he is a quality signing for this club. If they can keep finding ways to get him involved, United will have a viable threat the rest of the season.
Up Next
After a singular match at The Lab, United goes back on the road for another week. The back end of the schedule remains packed with tough opponents, and this weekend will be one of the hardest. United’s road trip will see them take on Louisville City FC, one of the strongest clubs in the entire league. United will have to be at their best if they want to earn another point and stay in the top half of the conference. Coverage of that match will begin at 5:00 P.M. (MT) with the pregame show starring Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman. The match itself will kickoff at 6:00 P.M. (MT) from Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Catch every minute of every play all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM apps, and The TEAM website.