New Mexico United and Las Vegas Lights FC were both still looking to get their season on the right track. United had picked up a tough, but disappointing point against El Paso on Wednesday and wanted to close the homestand with a win. It took them some time to make a mark, but returns from Kipp Keller and Raiko Arozarena secured the backline, while the pivot play of Zico Bailey made the difference in the attacking half. Bailey picked up a goal and an assist as United close the homestand with a four point week and a 3-1 win over the Lights.
At the end of Wednesday night’s match against El Paso, Kris Shakes looked a little worse for wear as he limped up the ramp to the locker room. Out of caution for him, Head Coach Dennis Sanchez made the decision to give a start to Raiko Arozarena on Saturday. Sanchez also saw the match as an opportunity to start Kipp Keller, who would make his first appearance since playing against Colorado Springs back on March 28. Keller’s reappearance allowed United to shift Niko Hamalainen back out to his natural position of left back, giving what looked like the most solid defensive lineup so far this season.
Those two changes were quickly tested by the Lights, and the duo passed with flying colors. In the 13th minute, Las Vegas had a corner after a Christian Pinzon shot from outside the area was saved and pushed away by Arozarena. On the ensuing corner, the keeper leapt off his line to punch the ball clear. It was out of the area, but it still ended up at the feet of Las Vegas. Carson Locker was gifted a quality chance, but his shot was right back at Arozarena, who made the easy save.
Despite being aggressive in the opening half, United took their time finding the first goal of the night. Zico Bailey would have himself a night starting in the 32nd minute. Taking the ball and driving to the north end of the pitch, he drew defenders with him all the way to the bye line. Just as it looked like the midfielder was out of real estate, he crossed the ball to the far post. Unable to react in time, the Las Vegas defenders allowed the ball to reach Niall Reid-Stephen, who powered the ball home for the lead, 1-0, with his third goal of the season.
Against the run of play, the visitors would earn an equalizer in the 40th. Starting from deep in their defensive half, Vegas worked the ball forward, with Pinzon linking up with Oalex Anderson as they crossed midfield. Anderson, working the left wing against Jake LaCava, ran onto the ball that was played around the defender. Outpacing LaCava, Anderson took the ball on his left and shot past Arozarena to pull level, 1-1.
After the break, United needed to keep their foot on the gas and not allow Vegas to score quickly. They held the lights off the scoreboard and then retook the lead in the 53rd. Working the left wing themselves, Dayonn Harris spread the defense, while Ousman Jabang ran an underneath route, and the pair linked up near the left corner of the area. With a low, searching ball, Jabang was able to get enough onto it to prevent Charlie Lanphier from making a save, nutmegging the keeper and putting United ahead, 2-1.
Zico Bailey wasn’t done for the night and decided to call game in the 73rd. With a corner in front of the supporters, United decided to play the ball short, leaving it at the feet of Harris. In the post-match interview, Bailey mentioned how they knew that Las Vegas was going to concede the area at the top of the box, and they did just that throughout the night. With that in mind, Harris found Bailey outside the top of the area, space in front of him. One daisy-cutter later (a low, driving shot) the ball was on Lanphier before he could react. The ball found its way into the bottom left corner of the net, icing the match for United, 3-1.
The win was United’s third in their last five in league play and they have begun to turn their season around from the early setbacks. Healthy players and converted opportunities are paying off as they have picked up 10 points in the last five matches and are catching fire.
Attendance – 8655
Player of the Match
Zico Bailey – Bailey was instrumental for United on Saturday night. In his role as a pivot point on the pitch, he was strong defensively and turned moments in the midfield into attacking chances for the club. He contributed a goal and an assist on his way to leading this club to a great end to the homestand.
Up Next
United’s next match is only a week away, which will start off another stretch of three matches in eight days for the Black & Yellow. The first match in that series will be on Saturday, May 16, when the club travels to take on Colorado Springs Switchbacks for the second time this year. This match will not have an impact on the league standings, but it will have an impact on the Prinx Tires Cup standings. This will be the second match for both clubs in the group stage portion of the Cup competition. Both clubs are sitting on three points in the Cup, with Switchbacks defeating Phoenix Rising and United defeating AV Alta. A win next weekend could create some separation and a level of comfort going into the final two group stage matches.
That match is scheduled to kickoff from Weidner Field at 7 p.m.
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