For the third time in as many seasons, New Mexico United scheduled a club from Liga MX. Instead of facing FC Juarez again, United was able to bring in newly promoted side Atlante FC for a change of pace. Back in the first division for the first time since 2014, the Mexico City-based club brought in Miguel Herrera to try and lead them into the future. On the road for an early friendly during the international break, they came to Albuquerque to face a United side that is coming off the league-mandated mental-health break and getting hot in league play.
Friendlies are always an interesting affair as both sides are usually open to trying new things and taking a look at players who don’t get much playing time. United came out with a solid league play team sheet, ensuring the starters stay fresh ahead of the weekend tie with Oakland Roots. There was an extende period with each side feeling eah other out and seeing where they could find holes in the other.
Atlante was able to strike first, getting an opener in the 19th minute. Coming off the right wing, Walter Portales was played in behind and was able to beat his man to the ball. Cutting into the middle of the pitch Portales was able to pick out a spot and put the ball around Kris Shakes for the opener, 0-1.
United would answer twice before the half was out and put their mark on this match and the Liga MX side. The irst came by way of Greg Hurst, who started the night in the number 10 role for United, playing a bit deeper on the pitch, trying to get involved from further back. In the 37th, Maliek Howell received the ball on the right wing and squared it to Hurst, the central player. Putting the ball on his right, Hurst fired at the near post and slotted home in the top right corner for the equalizer.
Joseph Quiah Melto put United ahead minutes later in his season debut for the Black & Yellow. With the match being a friendly, both sides were able to use as many substitutes at they wished, and Dennis Sanchez took advantage of that early in the match, sending Melto and Tyler Blackett onto the pitch in just the 30th. After his first touch was lacking, Melto made up for with his next. Melto was set up by Cristian Nava, who played the ball into the area looking for the young forward. Melto pulled the ball down and powered his shot past Oscar Jimenez in the left side of the net and taking the lead for the hosts, 2-1.
To say the match exploded from there could be an understatement depending on how it was looked at. After halftime, there was a scuffle in front of the supporters section that seemed to start when Kyle Hofmann took a hit from an Atlante player. In return for that, Blackett got into a confrontation with Luis Puente over it, earning both players a yellow card in the 53rd minute. That would come back to haunt Atlante just a short time later.
Puente woudl square the match in the 63rd minute after being played into the area and beating Raiko Arozarena at the near post with a right footed shot. Arozarena would get a touch to the ball, but couldn’t stop it from finding the net, 2-2.
That would be last positive thing of the match for Puente. In the 65th, Puente committed a tactical foul, pulling hard on the jersey of Gedion Zelalem as United tried to break on the right side of the pitch. That action earned him a second yellow card, and an early exit from the match. Puente being sent off, in turn, set off Atlante FC head coach Miguel Herrera. Herrera took exception to the decision and earned himself a red card as well.
And then the match devolved. Herrera and the referee had a meeting of the minds, albeit different viewpoints. Herrera refused to leave the pitch after receiving his card and the referee threatened to call the match in the 68th minute if Herrera did not vacate the premises. Without knowing what was said, ultimately it appeared a compromise was reached in which Herrera was allowed to remain in the third base dugout for the remainder and the match was allowed to continue.
Atlante would pull ahead again in the 88th after Portales snuck another ball past Arozarena. Facing goal, Portales put his right foot into the ball and pushed it into the bottom left corner of the goal, retaking the lead, 2-3.
United was able to pull it back once again before the end of regulation. Another debutant, Winston Starr, made his mark in the 90th. Starr was played through and found a chance to shoot on Jimenez from range. With a flick of his foot, Starr sent the ball over Jimenez’s head and into the net, sending the match to the end of regulation, 3-3.
Prior to the match the two sides agreed that if the match ended in a draw, they would proceed to penalty kicks. Both clubs lined up facing the supporters’ section and United was sent up to take the first shot. Sofiane Djeffal, Blackett, Luther Archimede, Will Seymore, and Gedion Zelalem were the designated first five for United. All of them would convert except for Blackett, whose shot bounded off the right post and away from goal, giving United four conversions. For the visitors, all five of their designated takers would convert, giving Atlante the win, 4-5.
Player of the Match
Joseph Melto – Getting his first minutes of the season after an injury riddle start to the year, Melto certainly made his mark. He had two chances in his opening minutes with the Black & Yellow, notching a goal and proving a ton of energy for his club.
Up Next
United returns to league play on Saturday, July 4 against Oakland Roots SC. Hosting the Roots for the first time this season, United will be looking for measure of revenge from the season opener on the road. Saturday’s match from The Lab is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Catch New Mexico United all season on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM apps, and The TEAM website.
Djeffal make, blackett off post
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