After sweeping San Antonio FC in the 2025 calendar year, New Mexico United hoped to continue that success in 2026. Playing for the first time this season on Saturday night, a warm night heated up even more on the pitch as San Antonio controlled the match, peppering United’s goal area from pillar to post. As is tradition, the match turned chippy and the two sides battered each other before the night was over. It was a second half goal by Daniel Barbir that gave San Antonio a league win, 1-0.
Within minutes, it was clear what the narrative of the first half was going to be. The hosts were going to control the pitch and go forward every chance they could. They disrupted United and forced the men in yellow to make several unforced errors throughout the half. Those errors, and the pressure from San Antonio, led to the hosts working themselves into dangerous positions. Twelve times, they found chances to shoot.
Of those twelve shots, seven were on frame. One was blocked, and the other six were saved by Kris Shakes. Facing down shots from Dmitrii Erofeev (7, 12), Jorge Hernandez (10), Santiago Patino (20, 34), and Emil Cuello (33), Shakes stood tall each time he was questioned and kept a struggling United side from falling behind against an aggressive San Antonio side with a lot to prove.
United’s lone quality chance in the first half came seconds before the whistle sounded for halftime. After winning a foul on the right wing, Ousman Jabang would send a beauty of a cross into the far post. Greg Hurst broke free and put a quality head to the ball in the 45th. It took a leaping save from Joseph Batrouni to keep United from stealing the lead.
It was much of the same in the second half. San Antonio came out strong, United came out behind in effort and tactics. Unable to gain ground, United eventually conceded off of a set piece in the 74th. Given the chance to stand over the set piece, Hernandez took aim for the middle of the area. At the receiving end of the delivery was Daniel Barbir, who flicked the ball towards goal. The header sailed past Shakes into the left netting, putting San Antonio FC ahead for good, 1-0.
Player of the Match
Kris Shakes – The new No. 1 for United stood on his head. He did everything he could and then some to keep New Mexico United in striking distance of San Antonio. Shakes finished the night with 8 saves and will likely end up on the nominees for Save of the Week.
Up Next
New Mexico United finally gets a home league match next weekend. After opening the season with two consecutive matches on the road, United returns home to host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, March 28. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m. MT. Coverage of the match will begin at noon with the pregame show with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman. Catch New Mexico United all season long on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps.
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