New Mexico United was in search of three points to keep pace. Monterey Bay FC was looking for a positive in a dreary season. If they were to throw a wrench into United’s postseason hopes that would be one. For most of the night, Monterey controlled the match, keeping United’s attack at bay. It wasn’t until an 87th minute header that United finally had a chance at getting out of the Bay on top before settling for a 1-1 draw.
After a busy week at The Lab, New Mexico United was able to climb back into third place in the Western Conference. With only seven matches remaining, points are at a premium. Going up against Monterey Bay FC, United had a golden opportunity to keep pace with San Antonio and Lexington, who both won earlier in the evening.
The first half was the Kris Shakes show. With the United attack failing to threaten on the positive side, it fell to the defense and Shakes to keep the hosts off the scoreboard. The first of three saves for the goalkeeper came in the 29th minute off of a looping shot by Adrian Rebollar. From left of the box, the shot nearly dipped into the top right corner, but Shakes was able to leap and tip it out of play.
The resulting corner put United under even more pressure. The ball was sent in from the near side and the ball fell to Nicholas Gordon. At the far post, Gordon played the ball off of his knee and put it off of the crossbar.
Xavi Gnaulati would test Shakes next in the 36th minute. Again, shooting from the left side of the area, Gnaulati would send a ball in, but right at Shakes, who was able to make the easy save. Gnaulati would force a third save of the half out of Shakes in the 45th minute, just before the match went to halftime.
Shakes’ efforts wouldn’t be enough to keep Monterey out of the net in the second half. Just three minutes after play resumed, United fell into a familiar rhythm of being flat. They were giving up second balls and were slow to react, resulting in a giveaway by Sergio Rivas in the midfield. Off the turnover, Monterey was able to quickly work the ball into the box with Tarik Scott. Scott appeared to be tangled with Kipp Keller, and the ball squirted free to the right side of the area. In the 48th, it was none other than Gnaulati who was able to jump onto the loose ball and shoot. The attempt was beyond the reach of Shakes and into the bottom left corner for the lead, 1-0.
United struggled to find chances in the second half. At the 70th minute mark, they were still credited with zero shots on target.
It took them until the 87th before they finally found a glimmer of hope. After a series of substitutions, United had replaced their forwards, seeing both Thomas Amang and Luther Archimede joining the fray in the lead up to the goal. In the moment, Mukwelle Akale and Zico Bailey worked together to get the ball into a dangerous area. Akale found Bailey in the box, who played it right back. Akale shot and the ball tipped up into the air and hung dangerously in front of the mouth of the goal. Both Amang and Archimede made a play for the ball, with Archimede heading the ball in for the equalizer, 1-1.
Player of the Match
Kris Shakes – Shakes single-handedly kept United in the match in the first half. The attacking mindset of Monterey kept him on his toes as he was credited with three saves to keep the match goalless.
Up Next
United’s final stretch of the season is here. After the draw, it is imperative that they pick up points whenever possible. Their next chance to do so will be on Wednesday, September 24, against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. United will travel to Colorado as one of their final road matches of the season. Coverage of that match will begin with the pregame show starring Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman at 6 p.m. (MT). The match will kick off Weidner Field 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.