Although New Mexico United is likely looking forward to having more than two days in between games, they have one match remaining in the homestand before they can catch their breath. Standing in their way is Charleston Battery on Saturday night.
Battery come into Albuquerque for their second-ever trip to the state. The last time they were here, they lost to United by a final of 2-1. On that day Kalen Ryden and Devon Sandoval were the goal scorers for the Black & Yellow as they defended their home turf. The match on Saturday is actually the third meeting all-time between the two clubs, with United having won both meetings in the series. Battery will be looking for a measure of revenge for the pair of losses and this year’s club could very easily do it. They’ve been far better in Eastern Conference play than they have been against the West. Of their seven losses on the season, four have come at the hands of Western Conference clubs.
Their consistent play throughout the season has the Battery all but secure in yet another playoff berth. They haven’t had any major swings in form one way or the other, but they’ve done enough to keep themselves near the top of the Eastern Conference all season long. While they do concede a fair number of goals, their attack has been more than sufficient to keep them in every match, except for the lopsided loss to San Antonio. The dual-threat at the top of Augustine Williams and Nicholas Markanich is a danger for any club they go up against. Between the two of them, they have twenty goal contributions on the season and United will have to account for both of them, which may precipitate a change in formation.
Player to Watch
Arturo Rodriguez – The former Rising player is someone that United is all too familiar with. After two seasons in Phoenix, the midfielder made the move to the East coast where he has been dangerous for the Battery all season long. He’s an engine, much like Chris Wehan, and has five goal contributions on top of twenty-seven additional chances created.
United is at the tail end of a four-match homestand in which they haven’t picked up as many points as they would have liked. After the win against Tulsa, it seemed like United was getting back on the right track. That momentum didn’t carry over to the Lights match, where United had to fight back from a two-goal deficit to secure even a single point. The energy of the night wasn’t enough in the eyes of Head Coach Eric Quill, until the substitutes entered the night. United cannot allow the same thing to happen on Saturday, or they will lose to Battery.
While the creativity has improved and chance creation has gone up, defensively United is still having lapses. Even with the signing of Zico Bailey, the center of United’s back line has been at issue of late. They were beat multiple times on Wednesday, either by pace or physicality in the box. It didn’t help that United was without Alex Tambakis due to an injury, which has since forced United to sign Andrew Thomas on loan from the Sounders for the remainder of the season. Without Tambakis, it looks as though Thomas could be the number one after Ford Parker’s performance. There also needs to be a clear voice in the defense to organize the efforts against the forwards of Charleston for United to have a chance in this match.
Player to Watch
Shanyder Borgelin – Borgelin is due. He’s been good in hold up play and using his skills to draw defenders to create space for others. What he needs to do though, is score. With service, which was improved on Wednesday, he should have chances on Saturday night.
Coverage of Saturday night’s match will begin at 6 p.m. with Adam Diehl and Andy Hageman on the pregame show on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, The TEAM website, and The TEAM apps. Following the pregame show, the duo will bring every minute of every play starting with kickoff at 7 p.m. from Isotopes Park.