New Mexico United and Oakland Roots SC were in different places coming into the match. One was already playoff bound, while the other was playing for future contracts. It was another five goal half as the pair of clubs drew three penalties in the opening period, each side converting their chances. The defenses finally showed up after the break, but the clubs managed to each secure a point in a 3-3 draw.
United was already in the playoffs, having clinched their spot two weeks ago. Oakland had their hopes dashed earlier in the week when Orange County picked up a win over San Antonio. Both teams still had things to play for. Due to poor results by Sacramento, United had an ever widening opportunity to steal the #2 seed in the playoffs. They would need wins and some help, but the chance was there. Oakland, was playing for the future, meaning the contracts of the players, and to potentially be a spoiler in their final matches of the season.
Things didn’t look good early for United. The Roots clearly weren’t focused on their season being over and took the fight to the hosts, pressuring them from the jump. Within the first five minutes of the match, Oakland managed to put two shots off the woodwork, which should have jump-started United’s defense. It only bolstered Oakland’s confidence.
Despite some uncertainty at the back, United showed confidence when they were able to get forward. The backline of the Roots struggled to identify the threats from the Black and Yellow, giving them room to work throughout the final third. After receiving the ball on a cross from Dayonn Harris in the 13th, Mukwelle Akale drove into the area, ball in front of him. Instead of trying to cut back onto his more dominant left foot, Akale shot from the right of the goal area across goal and put the ball into the back of the net for the lead, 1-0.
Undeterred, Oakland went straight back the other direction, finding their favorite target, Peter Wilson, in space behind the United defense. With a chance of his own just a minute later, Wilson forced a save out of Kris Shakes, an omen of things to come.
In trying to clear the danger after an Oakland corner in the 14th minute as well, Zico Bailey made a mistake that would lead to the first goal of the afternoon for the visitors. Bailey looked to dribble out of the back and headed toward the technical area, but gave the ball away to Gagi Margvelashvili with a failed nutmeg. Margvelashvili immediately got himself into the goal area, but took a slight touch from Bailey, going to ground and drawing a penalty. Wilson, who was chasing the Golden Boot, was sent to the mark. He sent his shot into the left side of the goal as Shakes guessed the wrong direction to level the score, 1-1.
That scoreline didn’t last long.
In the 19th minute, United pushed forward with another chance to get a good look at goal. Dayonn Harris tried to play into the area, but wasn’t able to get a good shot and left the ball wide for Chris Gloster. Gloster tried to pick out Harris inside the area, but an Oakland defender, Neveal Hackshaw, got in the way. In an attempt to potentially put the ball out of play, Hackshaw instead kicked it directly into his own goal, putting United back in front, 2-1.
That score lasted for nine minutes. In the 27th, Akale had another direct impact on the scoresheet. Played wide right, Akale entered the goal area from the side, driving into the middle. As he did, he was fouled from behind by Ali Elmasnaouy. As is customary for United, Talen Maples was sent to stand over the penalty spot. In his run up to the ball, a slight stutter by Maples sent Kendall McIntosh the wrong direction as the centre-back slotted the ball into the right side of the net, 3-1 United.
As if the match couldn’t get any tighter, the center referee would award a third penalty before the half was over. Given in the 41st minute, this one also benefited the Roots. Wilson once again beat the defenders, as he had throughout the half, and was played behind Kalen Ryden. Surging forward with Ryden in tow, Wilson stepped just into the goal area before he felt a push on his shoulder from Ryden. Wilson went down, drawing the penalty. Taking it himself, Wilson went to the right as Shakes went left, and narrowed the scoreline, 3-2.
Fortunately, that was all for the first half.
The clubs didn’t back down in the second half, but the chances seemed to dry up. United’s defense tightened up at halftime and didn’t allow Oakland to have another shot until the 77th minute of the match.
United, meanwhile, had only a handful of chances while they looked to close out the match. They had golden opportunities in both the 71st and 81st minutes to potentially seal the win. The earlier of the two chances saw United get out on a tremendous breakaway, created by Shakes and Marlon Vargas. Shakes threw the ball out to Vargas, who sprung Valentin Noel on the left wing. Noel sent a cross to the right side of the goal area where Akale had a chance to just tap the ball home, but got under it and put it into the stands.
The latter chance wasn’t much different. Maples and Akale played a 1-2 inside the goal area, ending with Maples near the byline. Maples crossed the ball for Luther Archimede, who had a chance from inches away and put it over the bar as well.
Those two misses came back to haunt United.
Instead of being two goals, or more, ahead again, a single goal was all Oakland needed to pull level. They would find that goal in the 82nd. After winning a corner, the ball would be played to Wilson right by the penalty mark. Surrounded by United players, Wilson laid the ball off to Margvelashvili. Without anyone to step up and challenge him, Margvelashvili was free to shoot and blasted the ball past Shakes, 3-3.
Another chance presented itself to United in the 93rd minute when Akale and Archimede were able to get out on a break. Akale’s run started in the defensive half and he was played well clear of any defender. He had Archimede on the inside with room around him. Instead of picking him out, Akale kept the ball and shot off target, leaving the match in a draw.
Attendance – 8,756
Player of the Match – Mukwelle Akale
In a match where United needed some points, Akale was dynamic throughout the match. One goal, two more chances created, one via drawing a penalty. He was a threat for United all night.
Up Next
With the draw, United heads into the final match of the regular season with the door slamming shut on the #2 seed. It’s still a possibility, but dropping points will make it that much harder for the Black & Yellow. United will need a win in their finale, which will take place on Friday, October 25. They will carry a six-match unbeaten streak into the home tie against Rhode Island FC. United needs a win to keep their hopes of the 2 seed alive. They also need Sacramento Republic to drop at least four more points this week. If Sacramento picks up a win in the midweek, they will guarantee themselves the two seed, leaving United with the third. Either way, United’s regular season finale will take place at The Lab with kickoff scheduled for 7 P.M.