New Mexico needed momentum. Orange County was hoping to keep it. After picking up their first win against Colorado Springs, United wanted to show that they were still a force in the West in the early stages, and a win against Orange County would do that. United came out looking to play off the counter and kept Orange County at bay for much of the match. The difference maker in this one was a first half penalty conversion by Niall Reid-Stephen, as United would hold onto a 0-1 lead, for the win.
With both clubs coming off mid-week losses in the Open Cup, they were both looking to get back on track. Orange County had lost to Phoenix Rising FC and United to El Paso Locomotive FC. Despite the similar outcomes, the matches were vastly different. Orange County had looked the better side, but had some bad luck. United was battered from pillar to post, with no reprieve. On short rest, bot wnated to build on recent league results and continue to build momentum in the early stage of the season.
Orange County continued their solid play from the recent outings and dominated the pace of play throughout the first half. They kept United pinned in their defensive half for much of the action and peppered seven shots at Kris Shakes. Even with the pressure mounting, Orange County only managed one quality shot, forcing a save from Shakes in the 12th minute. Christopher Hegardt had a clear opportunity from the left of the goal, threatening with a low shot to the near post. Shakes dove to his right and pushed the ball out of play.
It was all Orange County in the stat columns until the 24th minute, when Zico Bailey, who had returned from international duty, drew a foul 24 yards out from goal. Niall Reid-Stephen was given a chance to shoot from distance and stared down the defensive wall in front of him. Reid-Stephen picked his spot and put the ball over the wall, but couldn’t get enough spin to keep it on frame, sending the ball over the goal.
As United continued to try and play their way into the match, a call in their favor against the run of play helped turn the tide of the half. A cross into the area intended for Reid-Stephen was punched away by Alex Rando, but he didn’t clear it well in the 31st. The attempted clearance only put the ball back into the air and right at Reid-Stephen. As he tried the bring the ball down, the forward was fouled by Rando, giving a penalty to United. After picking up his first goal for the club last weekend against Colorado Springs, Reid-Stephen was sent to the spot for a chance at his second. Focused solely on the ball, Reid-Stephen kept his hips open, sending Rando the wrong way on the attempt. The left-footed shot went clear into the back of the net, giving United the lead, 0-1.
Much like the first half, Orange County came out in the second with an attacking mindset, and United was happily obliging, sitting in a low block, looking for chances to counter. After challenging goal seven times in the first half, Orange County didn’t challenge Shakes until the 71st minute in the second half. The challenge itself wasn’t great, but Shakes made an easy save and showed that United wasn’t going to give in to the pressure.
Sitting in a low block on the road paid dividends for United. Orange County threatened, bent, but couldn’t break United. The Black & Yellow stood tall against mounting pressure all night and gritted out a tough win on the road to earn three more points in league play.
Player of the Match
Niall Reid-Stephen – Reid-Stephen was a threat in the final third for United and not only drew the penalty, but also gave United the win. It was his second goal in as many weekends for the new signing and he continues to acclimate himself to United and the Championship level of play.
Up Next
United returns to play, on a two-match winning streak next weekend against Phoenix Rising FC. That match will take place between the two rivals on Saturday, April 11 from Phoenix Rising Stadium. Coverage of that match will begin at 7 p.m. with the pregame show with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman. Kickoff is set to follow at 8 p.m. 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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